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Pride and Prejudice - The Special Edition Customer Reviews (121 - 123 of 229 Reviews)

awful dvd quality ruins wonderful adaptation
I cannot agree more with previous reviews- this is the best adaptation of Pride & Prejudice yet, but the DVD is beyond sucking. I have the VHS tape set as well, which is perfect. The DVD in contrast is poorly formatted, comes across as a cheap copy with washed out bluish colors and muted sound. I have been through 2 DVDs thinking the first one was a fluke. DEFINATELY don't buy this until A&E re-releases it. The VHS tapes are wonderful, IF you still own a VHS recorder...

EYE CANDY FOR A HISTORY LOVER
I'm a historian and author of history ("CALIFORNIA PIONEERS"), so what do I do to give myself a "holiday" without leaving the house? I reach for this superb version of Jane Austen's best-loved tale of history, romance and intrigue.

This version's backdrop is a countryside rich with the splendor of a time forgotten... a time when one's station in life was all one had to get by on...a time lost in the hustle and bustle of modern lifestyles. The scenery is eye candy and the acting is the best to come out of the U.K. in decades. This is a masterpiece adaptation that truly does justice to Jane Austen's original novel. That said...get this movie for yourself and share it only with others whom you are absolutley postive will return it!

The all time winner
This version of Pride and Prejudice is the finest adaptation of a novel to film - no joke. It is a favorite of my entire family and whenever we have shown it to other friends and relatives, they always fall in love with this superb masterpiece. The acting and settings can not be surpassed. The five hour length is perfect to convey the nuance and subtle character and plot development. I have watched it three times and every time I am tempted to watch the entire film all the way through. After viewing it three times, I would like to comment on three aspects of the film: the character of Elizabeth Bennett, the character development of Mr. Darcy, and the benevolent and compassionate world view that undergrids Austin's work.

First, Elizabeth Bennett is surely one of the most likeable heroines in literature. Jennifer Ehle plays Elizabeth Bennett with exceptional skill - it just can't be done better than Ehle's performance. Yet it is Harold Bloom's commentary on Elizabeth Bennett that I found most refreshing and in line with my own assessment. Bloom aserts that the representation of women, especially young women, in novels prior to Pride and Prejudice, were somewhat empty headed and required direction from more worldly males, some of whom turned out to be scoundrels. Thus the innocent, flower-like young woman does not have within her head common sense and good judgement and must be guided by a man. She must rely on her elders to help her select such a man. However with Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austin creates a young woman character with as much judgement as Henry Kissinger, as much of a moral compass as Billy Graham, and all the social graces of Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Austin blows to bits the prejudicial and demeaning view of young women as weak wisps requiring guidance. Even when Elizabeth Bennett makes a misjudgement, she is introspective and insightful enough to make a courageous mid-course correction. Her bitter rejection of Darcy's first proposal of marriage burned her rejecting words into his soul and yet through continued exposure to Darcy and the opportunity to see his true multifaceted character, she changes her perception and grows to love him. Witness her wisdom as she confronts her withdrawn father, as he hides in his study, as the youngest daughter almost brings the family to ruin through her outlandish folly and lack of maturity. Elizabeth Bennett exhibits considerable psychological strength of character and judgement. Sometimes she makes mistakes, but she is fluid enough to change her mind, to reassess, and in the end she loves a man that has grown to love her more with each passing day. Austin wrote in a time when upperclass women had to plot and scheme to marry well, since this was their entire financial and social future. Elizabeth Bennett, through her independent thinking, is above this demeaning chaos, and ends up with a man that can be her equal life partner. Elizabeth Bennett is one of my favorite people!

Second, the character development of Mr. Darcy is strategic, realistic, and honors the fact that as multifaceted individuals we sometimes don't look or act our best but we can all be redeemed, we can all improve. Colin Firth plays Darcy to the letter. He captures Darcy in his arrogance and pride as he undermines Jane Bennett's love interest. Firth does a wonderful job in which Darcy first proposes to Elizabeth against his own best judgement. He is shocked and dismayed and then hurt as Elizabeth rightfully puts him in his place for his insulting proposal of marriage. Darcy is also a wonderful character. A man who falls in love with a beautiful, charming and wise woman but a woman for which he must strive to become all that he can be to obtain. In the character of Darcy Jane Austin has captured the ability of love of another person to propel someone to develope into and become the absolute most they can achieve. She captures the truth that character developes not only through hardship and perseverance but that our character develops through our loving relationships.

Third, in her treatment of the vast army of outrageous characters Jane Austin unfolds a moral universe. As Mr. Bennett says: "God has placed us on the earth to laugh at our neighbor's folly and for our neighbor to laugh at ours." Jane Austin shows compassion and justice to every character, no matter how idiotic and silly, for she realizes that much in human life is idiotic, silly, and folly but also, much in human life is precious and loving and sublime.

I noticed that 753 people had reviewed this film before me. That alone should give you a clue that this is a classic masterpiece of drama and filmaking.

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