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Pride and Prejudice - The Special Edition Customer Reviews (211 - 213 of 229 Reviews)

Colour problems easily resolved.
For those who have difficulty with colour, the solution is to go to videolan.org, and download their latest VLC (the current one is 0.7.2). It shows brilliantly on the DVDrom on the computer, and is far less grainy than a widescreen TV. Put your brightness and contrast both on 100%.

This is one classic that no-one can afford to leave off their shelves. Colin Firth is the Sir Lawrence Olivier of today, and is one of the few actors today who can portray a range of emotions by seemingly doing nothing... through the eyes, body language, slight mouth movements... Anyone involved in serious drama should possess this DVD, and the book "The making of Pride and Prejudice." The insights gained in this make every moment worthwhile, and the book enhances a persons perception, not only of the problems making such a period piece as this, but also the reasons as to why Colin Firth made Darcy his own.

This film also lays the foundation for his more recent performances. Without seeing this, Bridget Jones Diary (and probably the upcoming sequel, the edge of reason - and flot says there will be a third...) are slightly adrift in terms of understanding the "feel".

If I could give this 10 stars, I would. I do agree that the picture quality, even on the computer, can be lacking, but that is nothing compared to what you will learn, not just in terms of a production, but also in terms of elegance of language, long since lost in the "grunt culture" of today.

Sumptuous, The Best Period Piece Ever Produced
All of Jane Austen's six novels have now been made into films and all, with the exception of MANSFIELD PARK, are wonderful, but none, I think, can come close to equaling the sumptuous extravagance of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. In fact, I think this BBC/A&E production, is probably the most gorgeous period piece ever produced, although I think the cinematography in MANSFIELD PARK (the best thing about that film) was definitely more luscious.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE was originally a miniseries, so, at a little more than 270 minutes, it's long. On lazy days, I've watched it all the way through, and, this is actually how I prefer to watch it since I don't like breaks in the continuity. If you don't have that much time, however, the film is almost as enjoyable when you break it up into six separate viewings, just as the miniseries did.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE is considered Jane Austen's "sunniest" novel, although opinion is greatly divided on whether it is or is not her best. It is my personal "Austen favorite" and there's no doubt that it's one of the most beloved of all the English classics.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE centers on the Bennet family, a father (Benjamin Whitrow), mother (Alison Steadman) and their five daughters, who reside at Longbourne in Hertfordshire. The eldest daughter, Jane (Susannah Harker), is the prettiest, though Elizabeth (Jennifer Ehle), the second eldest is the most independent and headstrong. Of course, anyone who's ever read Jane Austen will know Elizabeth will be the heroine of the story since Austen loved independent and headstrong women. Mary, one of the younger daughters might be modeled on Austen, herself, as she is a lover of literature and a would-be writer. The youngest daughters, Lydia and Kitty are as frivolous and silly as is their mother. Poor, long-suffering Mr. Bennet never stood a chance in this household and his chief occupation, at least while he's at home, is bickering with his wife.

The women of Longbourne, with the exception of the writerly Mary, do little but concern themselves with how and where they are going to find suitable husbands. When Charles Bingley (Crispin Bonham-Carter) arrives at nearby Netherfield Park, Mrs. Bennet and her daughters are overjoyed. They hope Bingley will soon make it "one down, four to go."

A dance is arranged by Mr. Bennet, at the urging of Mrs. Bennet, of course, and it is, predictably, the lovely Jane, who catches Bingley's eye. But with Bingley, however, is a mysterious man, a Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth), who seems very uncomfortable and bored at the dance. When encouraged to dance with Elizabeth, Darcy makes no bones about the fact that he considers her, and all the Bennet sisters, beneath him.

One might think Elizabeth would be angry or upset when she overhears Darcy's disparaging remarks, but Elizabeth is no shrinking violet. She find's Darcy, and his remarks, amusing, and the film then becomes great fun as we watch Darcy and Elizabeth pretend to care little for each other, when, in reality, we can see each is quite attracted to the other.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE contains more plot twists than some of Austen's other novels and one of those twists is the arrival at Longbourne of Reverand Collins (David Bamber), a man looking for a wife, something that, on its surface would seem to be right up the Bennet girls' alley. Another complication is Mr. Wickham (Adrian Lukis), a charming but enigmatic man, who, for a time, manages to win the affections of Elizabeth. But, will he manage to keep the independent Elizabeth's attentions? Or will he turn to another Bennet sister instead?

One of the things that makes PRIDE AND PREJUDICE the masterpiece it is, is the fact that the acting is uniformly flawless. Austen's books all contain some very "interior" sections, something MANSFIELD PARK tried to resolve with silly winks and asides to the audience. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, however, is above such shenanigans, and Jennifer Ehle, as Elizabeth, is an actress who can say much with her gestures and facial expressions.

Although I've known some people who thought Colin Firth was a bad choice for Mr. Darcy, I think he is wonderful in the part. Like Ehle, he says as much with his body language and facial expressions as he does with his dialogue and he adds a depth and range to the character of Darcy that I think most other actors would have missed.

The supporting cast is just as good as are Ehle and Firth and each actor plays off the others perfectly.

The cinematography is lovely, but it's not as lush or gorgeous as that in the flawed MANSFIELD PARK. PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, however, unlike MANSFIED PARK, remains true to Austen's book, something that "Austen purists" like me really appreciate.

This two-disc set contains some wonderful features, chief among which are a biography of Austen and commentary on the film by members of the cast and crew (regrettably Ehle and Firth do not comment).

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE is one of the world's best-loved novels. This BBC/A&E production is sumptuous, warm, entertaining, exquisitely acted and, in my opinion, it may be the very best period piece ever filmed. It is certainly one that is not to be missed by any fan of Jane Austen. I couldn't recommend owning it more highly. Despite it's five-hour length, it's definitely a film you are going to want to watch over and over again.

I'M SO GLAD I WAITED FOR THIS DVD VERSION!
I've owned the two tape VHS set of this finely made BBC miniseries for several years and had practically worn it out with repeated viewings. I held off converting to the DVD version mainly due to the high cost, and am I ever glad that I did! This newly released 2 disc set is a vast improvement over the previous one if for no other reason than it is letterboxed in 1:85/1 format which really brings the story and characters into much sharper focus. One of the features I love best about DVD is the ability to review old favorite films with a clarity of image and sound which makes the entire experiance new and rewarding, and this beautiful version of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE is a great example. Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth seem born to assay thier roles, leading a sterling cast of great British character actors in a spirited romp through the magnificent English countryside. Like Emma Thompson's award winning adaption of SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, this film really breathes life into Jane Austin's tale. It was well worth waiting to see it in this DVD transfer.

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