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Pride & Prejudice (1995 A&E Production) | 
 enlarge | Director: Simon Langton
Actors: Colin Firth, Jennifer Ehle, David Bamber, Crispin Bonham-carter, Anna Chancellor
Studio: Sma Distribution
Category: Video
Buy Used: CDN$ 155.14
Rating:  760 reviews
Sales Rank: 478
Format: Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Media: VHS Tape
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 3.9 x 2.2
ISBN: 6304082428
UPC: 733961154108
EAN: 9786304082423
Theatrical Release Date: January 14, 1996
Release Date: June 1, 2002
Availability: Usually ships within 1 - 2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: DVD Region 2 will NOT play on North American players. Delivery time 1-3 weeks.
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Essential Video
Jane Austen's classic novel of 1813, Pride and Prejudice, still wins the hearts of countless schoolgirls with its romantic story of Elizabeth Bennet and her Mr. Darcy. Now, the 1996 BBC miniseries is winning over adults, with its faithful adaptation, gorgeous scenery, and superb acting. The essence of the story is the antagonism between Mr. Darcy, a wealthy single man who believes Elizabeth to be beneath him, and Elizabeth, who upon being insulted at a dance by the aloof Darcy refuses to associate with him in any manner. Austen evokes incredible tension with the wit and flirtation of the two characters, and director Simon Langton (who also directed Upstairs Downstairs) successfully translates the repartee and conflict in this six-hour miniseries. Dialogue, for the most part, is painstakingly replicated, except when fleshing out and smoothing for modern sensibilities was necessary. Darcy, for instance, is drawn out, giving his personality significantly more depth. The acting sweeps you away to Regency England: Jennifer Ehle (of Wilde) is convincing as the obstinate Elizabeth, who, despite her mother's attempts to marry her off, spurs the attentions of Darcy. And Colin Firth (of The English Patient) will have women everywhere longing for a Mr. Darcy of their own. For those who have been on an Austen binge--enjoying such excellent recent adaptations as Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion--this miniseries will round out the ultimate Austen video library. For those new to these romantic period pieces, this version of Pride and Prejudice will have you hooked and longing for more. One caveat, however: plan to watch it in an entire day, because very few have the self-control to not watch all six hours in a single sitting. --Jenny Brown
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| Customer Reviews: Read 755 more reviews...
 Great movie, must see October 28, 2008
Wariner (Hamilton, Ontario)
This is one of the best versions of Pride and Predjudice. All the characters were great. I have just read the novel again and I can picture the people in this movie in the book. Another Jane Austen movie I recommend is Sense and Sensibility with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet.
For the romantic in everyone...a must have. April 4, 2008
Ocean_villa
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'm surprising myself by writing this actually; but this movie/mini-series is that great. I've never been more surprised with a movie/book adaption: first because it is faithfully translated and second, because it is a romance film.
Now, I'm the odd girl that hates romance films. I find most of them dull, the same re-hashed plot, cheesy, unreal etc. So naturally, it took some prodding for me to watch this. Okay a lot of prodding; but I finally gave in and watched it.
I'm glad I did, so very glad. I would have been missing out on one of the best films/adaptions I've ever seen. The first thing I thought was, "Is this really romance?" because I was surprised to find that I loved it almost immediately.
I found myself engrossed in the story and swept off to 18th Century England. Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Ehle) is the second eldest of five daughters from a middle-class family. With no male heirs, the Bennet estate is to be entailed away to their cousin Mr. Collins, leaving the girls' mother desperate to have them married to wealthy suitors. When the rich Mr. Bingley arrives, Mrs. Bennet's plans are put into action. However, with his arrival, the Bennets and Elizabeth encounter the unexpected. Mr. Bingley's prideful friend Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth) has come with the party - ready to disapprove of Hertfordshire society and especially the Bennets. Elizabeth is put off by his pride; yet circumstances keep arising, drawing them together. So begins a tangle of mistaken first impressions, pride, prejudice, intrigue, comedy, romantic sparring...and of course, love.
What draws you in is the characterization. You get a feel for every character on screen - who they are, their personalities - so much so that they seem real. These could be real people that lived in the 18th century. Part of what makes this so convincing is the acting. The cast is excellent as a whole. Jennifer Ehle is especially splendid as the independent Elizabeth, and Colin Firth is perfect as Mr. Darcy. Both convey the subtlety of a look, stare, or the complete expression, meaning, and tone of a line making it seem effortless. The rest of the supporting cast is also excellent, as already mentioned. I forgot the cast was acting because they were so convincing in their roles. It actually seemed as if they had been living in the 18th century.
Another main attribute would be the dialogue (which is literal to the book). Of course some conversations had to be cut down; but the majority is placed in the movie. What I love about the dialgue is it catches your attention. You're immediately thown into that time period. The dialogue can be hilarious, sarcastic, witful, and it adds to the storyline. It allows characterization to develop; but is also intelligent as well. I enjoy this because it makes you think, it makes you wonder what a character will do next.
Subplots is another interesting element. Multiple subplots abound within the overall main story (Mr. Collins arrives at Longbourne, the Wickham subplot, Lady Catherine DeBourgh, and much more). The interesting thing is that they work well together. There is proper pacing and execution in that the subplots do not take away from the main story. Rather they add to it expanding and immersing the viewer in that world and society. You see societal values and the rules of etiquette/propriety: how both are supposed to be carried out and presented are quite interesting. Layered onto this is how each character deals with their social norm - most notably Elizabeth, who is trying to find a balance between her independent nature and the social norms expected of her.
Overall, this is a must have for everyone to add to their movie collection. And if you can pick up the book as well, do give it a read. The movie and novel are excellence at its finest.
I should mention that it is over 5 hours, so watch this when you have time. It's so addictive that you will want to watch it all at once.
Finally, enjoy the movie/mini-series.
His pride, her prejudice February 23, 2007
E. A Solinas (MD USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Of all the Jane Austen movies, the 1996 miniseries "Pride and Prejudice" is arguably the best and most detailed. While remaining faithful to the original comedy of manners, the story remains steadily-paced and exceptionally acted. It's sort of a thinking-girl's romance movie.
The Bennett family is in an uproar when wealthy Mr. Bingley (Crispin Bonham-Carter) moves into the neighborhood, and Mrs. Bennett is especially happy when he takes a liking to eldest Jane (Susannah Harker). But her forthright, independent sister Lizzie (Jennifer Ehle) immediately butts heads with wealthy, aloof Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth), who scorns the rural village.
A flurry of proposals, road trips and friendships arrive, with Lizzie fending off her slimy cousin Mr. Collins, and befriending the flirty, hunky Wickham (Adrian Lukis), who claims to have been wronged by Darcy. Lizzie believes Wickham's account -- and she's in for a shock when Darcy unexpectedly proposes, and reveals what Wickham won't tell her.
And finally things take a scandalous turn when Lizzie's idiotic younger sister Lydia (Julia Sawalha) elopes with Wickham! The family is plunged into disgrace, which also wrecks any chances of marriage for the other daughters. The only one who can set things right is Darcy, who will do whatever he must to make amends to Lizzie.
It's obvious from the very first scenes -- when Lizzie jokingly comments that "a man of good fortune MUST be in want of a wife" -- that this is an adaptation that was done with love. The subplots, characters and atmosphere of "Pride and Prejudice" are all here.
The plot unfolds slowly, one piece at a time, but with several subplots that tie together as the story progresses. For a miniseries, it's actually rather spare and lacking in filler. And the dialogue -- based on Austen's -- is wonderfully well-written ("Beauty is not the only virtue. She has just inherited a fortune of ten thousand pounds, I understand." "Now THAT is a definite virtue!")
The time period is recreated with loving detail, from the muddy roads to the sweeping mansions with elaborate grounds. Even the hairstyles are recreated. And the entire plot is steeped in the mores of 19th-century England, with the attitudes toward marriage, love, and propriety that bound everyone (especially women).
The casting of the leads is absolutely perfect for this movie: Ehle and Firth are nothing short of amazing. Both are witty, smart, and a bit snotty in their own ways. Firth's Darcy is a selfish man who gradually becomes warm and kind, while Ehle's Lizzie is strong, independent, and Darcy's equal in every way. And neither will marry for anything but true love.
They're also backed by an excellent supporting cast, with slimy clergy, screeching moms, sly seducers, sardonic fathers, innocent sisters and aristocratic old harpies adding colour to it all. Sawalha is especially good as the 19th-century Valley Girl, and Alison Steadman gives a grating but suitable performance as the whiny, marriage-obsessed Mrs. Bennett.
"Pride and Prejudice" is the cream of the Austen crop, and an understatedly romantic movie as well. Definitely to be watched, again and again.
 Poor Transfer October 2, 2006
Austen Fan (Toronto,ON Canada)
20 out of 21 found this review helpful
This is my favourite adaptation of the novel, but it really deserves a better transfer. This 10th Anniversary Edition is a marginally better transfer than the original DVD release, but both versions look very washed out. It's difficult to understand why when the clips from the film used in the "Biography" Jane Austen documentary look great. It's a sad day when the VHS version looks better than the DVD. This new edition has some good extras, but no interviews with Jennifer Ehle or Colin Firth. Also, the packaging is not great (it's a bit difficult to get the discs out), so you'll want to think about buying new DVD cases.
The best film based on Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice novel July 31, 2006
Petra Mehner (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
I am a big fan of Jane Austen's novels and Pride & Prejudice was one of my favourites. Simon Langton's version I believe is the best and most sincere adaptation of them all. The acting was superb, the characters believable, and the period costumes were well done. I would highly recommend this version, especially if one hasn't seen Pride & Prejudice on film before.
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