Pride and Prejudice (1995)

Most fans of Austen and Austen adaptations are eager to hail this miniseries as the definitive Pride and Prejudice, possibly the quintessential Austen adaptation of any of her works, and with good reason.  Between the faithful storytelling, incredible acting, and all-around Austeny goodness, it’s hard to go wrong with this one.

Standard Pride and Prejudice plot rundown:  the five daughters of the Bennet family are thrilled to discover the arrival of Mr. Bingley, a fabulously wealthy, decided single landowner, to the neighborhood.  Elizabeth Bennet is delighted to see the amiable gentleman take a liking to her older sister Jane, but she immediately crosses swords with his friend, the proud, reserved Mr. Darcy.  It doesn’t take Darcy long to rethink his first impression of Lizzy, but it’s much harder for him to shake her unfavorable view of him.

I’m fully capable of enjoying film-length Austen adaptations (like the ‘90s versions of Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma,) and the good ones never feel rushed or trimmed up in their narratives, but there’s just something to be said about a great miniseries.  The extra hours feel almost indulgent, luxurious, like there’s all the time in the world to unfurl the story and tell it right.  In this way, Pride and Prejudice can take time to breathe in the little character moments, and more minor characters like Col. Fitzwilliam or the Gardiners feel more real than they might in a film.  The world feels fuller, truer, and the story takes us on a leisurely journey through it.

It’s not perfect – I know Mrs. Bennet is supposed to be shrill, but at times, Alison Steadman is too much for words, I think the screenplay tips its hand a little too much re: Darcy in the second half, and I’m not quite satisfied with Adrian Lukis as Mr. Wickham – but really, these are quibbles.  It’s still the adaptation I hold all other versions of Pride and Prejudice up to, and for me, it’s no contest (although the Elizabeth Garvie miniseries from 1980 is also excellent.)

There’s terrific acting pretty much all around.  Special mention goes to Julia Sawalha as Lydia, Susannah Harker (Angie from Ultraviolet) as Jane, Crispin Bonham-Carter as Mr. Bingley, David Bamber as Mr. Collins, and Anna Chancellor (Lix from The Hour) as Caroline Bingley.  Also, Joanna David, a former Austen heroine heroine (Elinor in the 1970s Sense and Sensibility) has a small role as Mrs. Gardiner.

But let’s be real.  This is all about Jennifer Ehle as Lizzy and Colin Firth as Darcy.  She’s effervescent, arch, and winning while still playing Lizzy’s faults honestly, and he deftly handles the balance between Darcy’s standoffishness and the truer nature that starts to reveal itself as his feelings for Lizzy grow stronger.  Both play their characters to perfection, and together, they light up the screen.  If I was romantic or sexual, these two would own me even more than they already do.

Warnings

(Very) veiled sexual references and a little drinking.