to think that the classic Pride and Prejudice costume drama with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle is actually...um...CRAP?

[GetOrfMo1Land]

When it came out in 1995 I was addicted as anybody.

But - 16 years later it is very dated and a bit naffola, really.

Really dozy acting in some bits, and all typical twee BBC costume drama. Someone says something mildly shocking and you have the 5-way reaction shots of everyone in the room.

And the but where it goes all misty when Darcy is reading out his letter to Elizabeth is cringingly silly.

It's a bit rubbish really, or at best very of its time.

Darcy is supposed to be around 35

Mr Darcy is 28 not 35.

Late to the thread, but YABU beyond reason :) I was 12 when it came out, so maybe v impressionable, but the BBC DVD still resides permanently in the bedroom DVD player and I am known to go to bed early on my own to get my fix (as needless to say DP HATES it and thinks my obsession is weird...)

YANBU, but YWBU to have liked it in the past - it is, and has always been, bloody horrific.

I love the older P&P the BBC did, it was a lot closer to the books and I felt that all the characters were better portrayed. Mrs. Bennet was hilarious, Mr. Collins absurd and The two stars were just brilliant. I wanted to be like Elizabeth in that adaptation all my teen years and I don't think it has aged badly!

The book clearly states that Darcy is 28 and Lizzie 20
And that Mr Bennett - a gentleman - married the daughter of a tradesman because she was pretty before he realised she was thick

"married the daughter of a tradesman because she was pretty before he realised she was thick"

Of course! The Gardiner connection! But what a pity they are such sensible and genteel examples of their class, Jane and Lizzy ditto, and everyone else a blot on their own social position!

YES Lequeen gets what I am on about! I agree with all your points.

As much as the KK film mucks around with the plot, and the sheer hideousness of KK, I do much prefer the setting. All that rural shabbiness is probably more true to life than the BBC version. There isnt any real demarcation in how the Bennetts/Bingleys live in the BBC version.

I also much preferred the dance scenes, recreated the chaos of what a ball or assembly rooms hop would have been like in those times (lots of contemporary accounts cite the sheer crush of a ball, women fainting and having to be carried out etc).

When did I say Colin Firth was fat?

I said he looks puddingy - I mean in the colour of his face etc. Of course he isn't fat.

But he SOUNDS puddingy too - as if his cheeks are full of sugar plums. He mumbles.

One of my favourite portrayals of 'Mr Collins' is the one in Bride And Prejudice. I think Jane would have loved him!

it's a perfect tv series the end

TalkinPeace2 is right - Mr Darcy is 28, Elizabeth 20.

I prefer the 2007 film to the TV series (but still think the series is pretty good). I also quite like KK as Elizabeth, but accept that I am probably in a minority of one on that one.

I've been watching it all day- Elizabeth has just left Pemberley after The Shirt Incident. I am in bliss.

I love the BBC adaptation. My sis and I used to watch it on loop.

The Keira Knightly film, however....while I agree with GetOrf that the scenery/ ambience of the time is better portrayed (less 'staged' than the BBC) ... KK herself - hideous! That grin! ugh. The girl can't act for toffee. I fail to see why she's offered so many roles.

I am so with you there... no idea why people like KK so much... stupid little grin... and she cannot act. MM was a lovely Darcy though... CF my absolute favourite though!!!