Rating: 
Summary: Jane Austen does not get any better than this one
Review: This is the best version of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," and not because of the length or the letter-perfect performance of Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennett. For me the key to this production is Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, because he is the ONLY Darcy I have seen that I have been able to buy as a character both before and after his "transformation." Consequently, Elizabeth's changing affections for him ring true from start to finish. Then you can toss in the BBC's attention to detail and all the marvelous character actors filling up the supporting roles, especially Alison Steadman and Benjamin Whitrow as Mrs. and Mr. Bennet. I just wish the wind had not been blowing so much when Elizabeth has her great showdown with Lady Catherine de Bourgh (Barbara Leigh-Hunt). How fortunate we are to live in a time when Austen's novels have received such first-rate treatments as theatrical films and television mini-series.
Rating: 
Summary: This adaptation is fine, but the BBC's is better!
Review: The BBC's adaptation of P&P, featuring David Rintoul and Elizabeth Garvie, is more faithful to the book and features better acting than this A&E adaptation. The BBC probably had a smaller budget, so their sets aren't as lavish, but their version is still visually beautiful. Most importantly, Mr. Darcy is faithfully portrayed by David Rintoul, whereas this A&E version distorts his character to make him more acceptable to contemporary sensibilities. For example, the swimming scene is oddly out of character (and not in the book). If you're only going to buy one version of P&P, it should not be this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Review based on previous edition...
Review: To be honest, I have seen the previous edition (now off the market) and not this latest updated version which is apparently of higher quality. The DVD (first edition) was not bad; it just didn't do justice to the film quality. The ability to view particular scenes was not bad, and so was the ability to go to a particular time (say, 1 hour 57 mins into the film). What that DVD was missing was all the little extras - such as how the film was made, the interviews with the stars. If I were honest, I would say that the two major advantages of having the DVD version would be 1) the DVD takes up less space than the 6 cassette set. 2) the DVD allows you to go directly to a favorite scene (for me, the dance with Mr Darcy at Netherfield) and view it obsessively. If this new edition has more features as promised, and if the technical quality is much better, I would definitely consider upgrading, even though I already have the VHS set and the book. I am not bothering to rave on about the story or the acting and directing. For those, I recommend you read the other reviews. Basically, if you love Jane Austen (or for that matter, costume dramas set in England) you will love this production. If you don't like slowly-evolving stories with little overt physical passion, you may hate this DVD and consider it over-long at some 6 hours. But then again, you probably won't want to buy this DVD in the first place.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This production of Pride and Prejudice is wonderful. Could there be a more perfect Mr. Darcy than Colin Firth? He's enigmatic and cold and distant at the beginning yet somehow his portrayal makes you more curious about Mr. Darcy. Jennifer Ehle is just right as Elizabeth. She's vivacious and witty and it's easy to see why Mr. Darcy is attracted to her. Don't buy the DVD for any of the usual "extras" you expect in a DVD - there aren't any. The only advantage this has over tapes is your ability to go directly to your favorite scenes without alot of tedious fast forwarding. Plus it's cheaper than the VHS 6 volume set. That makes it a bargain and you don't have to worry about wearing out your tapes.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, but flawed
Review: The movie itself is absolutely wonderful. It is one of the rare items that I will dedicate 5+ hours worth of time watching from beginning to end. I could even sit down and watch it twice. However, the DVD quality is not so grand. The miniseries is put together poorly, leaving obvious pauses etc and it doesn't flow easily. Well worth it anyway and won't stop me from dedicating a rainy day to it several more times. Truly well done by all actors and directed beautifully.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!
Review: I was forced to watch this movie in an English class in high school several years ago. I had never been a fan of period pieces in the past, but this novel and movie made me a big fan! The costumes, the acting -- everything was just...wonderful! Jennifer Ehle (Elizabeth) is charming and perfect and the performance by Colin Firth will make you want a Mr. Darcy of your own! I've owned this set of tapes for almost two years now, and have literally watched this series over 50 times! This story and this movie have become my all-time favorite and have sparked my interest in pursuing a degree in English/Creative Writing.I really am looking forward to the new DVD version that will be released in the U.S. in September. If this isn't "your thing" or you didn't enjoy the book -- I still encourage you to watch this at least once. I'm sure you'll become a fan...
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant :) I loved it :)
Review: I've heard much about this movie before seeing it. My friend always mentioned her six tapes of pride and prejudice that she never got around to seeing. However, another friend and I dedicated a whole afternoon and part of an evening to watch this 5 hours movie and I daresay it wasn't a moment wasted. I really enjoyed the movie. The dialogue is witty and amusing. I've only tried to read one of Jane Austen's novels and I absolutely hated it because it seemed so long winded. The movie didn't seem to drag at all. Some of the lines were very memorable and I would like to use them in my own dialogue except I can't seem to remember them. After seeing a movie like this, I wish everyone talked in Victorian english. It has such a elegance to it. And in this movie, it really didn't sound fake and artifical but perfectly natural. What happened to that language? The acting was definitely amusing. The leads, Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, possessed great depth in their acting even though at times Colin Firth's role as the taciturn Mr. Darcy seemed to require very little acting at all. Jennifer Ehle as Eliza Bennet was lively and lovable. Susanna Harker as Jane Bennet was also just as lovable and I really enjoyed her exchanged with Eliza. The subtlety in the acting made the movie worthwhile, the little glances that they throw to each other and small smirks and grimaces. All the other characters provided wonderful comic relief. Alison Steadman as Mrs. Bennet was terrific! Her face looks like a cartoon and her voice just calls for laughter. But overall, the movie had that effect of dragging you in emotionally. You know that the main characters will end up marrying each other at the end (it's Jane Austen) but you nevertheless worry the whole way through about how it will happen. And at the end, after all the hoping and wishing, you finish the movie feeling nicely satisfied :) The five hour time span didn't seem to drag at all. In fact, it seemed to pass quite shortly and I really enjoyed every moment of it.
Rating:
Summary: dvd is re-release w/ extras, so hold criticism until then!
Review: This movie is, in a word, amazing. This is my favorite movie EVER, which says a whole lot considering the following two facts: (1) I don't like foreign films, and (2) nor do I like period pieces. That this happens to be BOTH and, somehow, inexplicably, still manages to be my favorite movie of all time says amazing things about it. The acting is splendid, as I can't imagine anyone else playing any of these characters, from Jennifer Ehle's perfect rendition of Elizabeth Bennet to Julia Sawalha's equally perfect interpretation of annoying Lydia Bennet. Yep. Perfect. At over five hours in length, the movie manages to capture the essence of the book, without ever seeming slow or tedious. I'm sure other reviews will give you a more precise summary of the plot, so I'll refrain. What I do want to mention is that the dvd version that is being reviewed is a re-release (not an original release) and, as such, it is NOT YET AVAILABLE. It is my understanding is that this new version will my MUCH BETTER than the previously available version in America. The previous version (the one I own and, I believe, the one others are basing their reviews on) has no DVD extras, the episodes are not seemless (credits run at the end of each episode) and the picture quality is poor at best (it's nothing better than a vhs to dvd transfer--not truly the digitial quality you've come to expect from dvds). This original release is now out-of-print. The new upcoming version, which I am eagerly anticipating, WILL have new dvd features, and I believe will be similar to the version already available in Europe. Accordingly, I think the criticisms aimed at the DVD features are unfair because THAT'S NOT THE VERSION WE'RE REVIEWING. To get a better sense of how this new version's features stand up to expectations, please look at the amazon u.k. site for reviews of the european version. It seems A&E/BBC are fixing the complaints of the original dvd, so this re-release promises to be much better!
Rating:
Summary: Good Movie, mediocre way it was put together
Review: This is a fantastic movie and its very helpful to have it on dvd BUT it is still in the same form as it is on vhs. What I mean is that the credits are there after every section the same as on the vhs and the same as when it was on tv. That was pretty annoying. and like all dvd's it tends to skip every once and a while. but nothing lasting. its a great movie, well worth the long 6 hour watch. Jenna
Rating:
Summary: Classic at its best...
Review: "PRIDE AND PREJUDICE is the story of the lively and rebellious Elizabeth Bennet, one of the five unmarried daughters living in the country side of the 19th century England. In the world where obtaining an advantageous marriage is a woman's sole occupation. Elizabeth's independent manner threatens her family's future. Will her romantic sparring with the mysterious and arrogant Darcy end in misfortune - or will love's true nature prevail?" --copied from the back description of the DVD cover itself. The MOVIE concentrates on the three (of 5) Bennet sisters: ELIZABETH: I was quite taken by her from the very start. She is indeed lively, outspoken, smart and independent. Mr. Darcy however was hard to like in the beginning. He hardly smiles. So arrogant that I wanted to swat him. hehe. But as the film progress, you will eventually like him. He might be High-and-Mighty but he is helplessly in love. Ha! Their love story's a touchy one. My favorite scene is Mr. Darcy's proud confession to Elizabeth's as well as their unexpected meeting in one of Mr. Darcy's estate. I can blabber all day about them, really. JANE: Elizabeth's elder sister was described as the most beautiful of all the Bennet sisters and indeed she is. I liked her as well. She is gentlier and very refined. A bit too good of a heart but still realistically humane. I too like Mr. Bingley from the start. He is a gentleman through and through. Very friendly, polite and handsome in his own right. Perhaps a little blind, dense but this is what made their love story longing... Both a lovely match! Meanwhile, the infamous LYDIA, youngest of the Bennet girls is a pain in the behind. Young, impetuous and ambitious. She deserves the wayward. Mr. Wickam on every turn. These three different and challenging love story made this film very captivating from start to end. Truly A Classic. Classic at its best! After reading the book, I searched for the movie and learned its limitation. This movie is not even available for rent in Blockbuster or Hollywood Video. My sister eventually lent me her DVD copy and now I am thinking of not returning it (until I get a copy of my very own, of course). :-) I have read more than 80 historical romance novels in this year alone and watching this movie truly connected me with my books. It soared my heart. It's only been in my mind that I picture clothings and backgrounds of the books I've read through the authors' descriptions so seeing it first hand on film simply enthralled me. Their attires, the castle's, great mansions, the carriages, the freshly green and brown of the countrysides, the Soiree, Waltz and other dance steps... It's just beautiful! The music is an added wonder to this film. I even ordered the soundtrack already. Overall, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE is a must see, especially if you are into romance genre with 18th-19th century setting. I find the courtship, dialogue and ways of living of that time period rather fascinating. I suggest you read the book as well before or after this movie. Watch this one and be "AWED". Note: Since this movie was derived from A&E's TV shows as a series, it is not played continuesly as one movie would. It is in about 6-7 segments, which I had to fast forward to skip introductory contents to see the next fragments. This didn't bother me one bit though, I just thought I'd mention this to others.
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