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.

at not loving P&P with Colin Firth.

at Andrew Davies. Dirty bugger.

So you can't diss the BBC version, because I am its MUSE, I tell you!

I agree, sacrilege! It was great because there's so much simmering sexuality in it, yet you never see more than a fleeting kiss and some hand holding. Wet Mr Darcy, omg omg omg.

I also loved the subtle extra plot that 3d daughter Mary might be in love with Mr Collins. It's not in the book and they didn't add a single extra line in the TV series to show it, but it's all in the actress's glances and looks.

Unless I'm reading too much into that of course!

She was odd enough for that to be possible, Ciske.

YOU ARE OP.

That bit. That bit where he LOOKS at her and ...uhhhhhhhhhhhh

Is it really not in the book? I know the book has a lot of pointers to the fact that her essentiually stupid and platitudinous intellect is exactly matched to that of Mr Collins. and also that she thought him an appropriate match for herself?

The only thing id pull it up on is that julia swahala was far too old to play lydia.

(unless I've misremembered. It's ages since I read it.)

I think it is alluded to in the book.

Colin Firth's erection sexy looks are NOTHING to those of the Mr Darcy in my brain.

I am possibly the only MNer not to have seen the Colin Firth P&P....

Don't bother, it's gash.

Mind you I have got a soft spot for it, because I was pregnant when that came out on telly, so watched it in a fog of plump contentment on maternity leave.

Ah, I see boffy has rolled our her Andrew Davies story. Is it time for my CF story again?

I'll tell you who was an arsehole? Heathcliffe and also Mr Rochester.

Arseholes.

margerykemp isn't Julia Swahala older than Jennifer Elhe?

In the book Darcy is meant to be taller than either Wickham or Bingley
that's my only gripe.

I still like the Persuasion with Cairan Hinds and Anna Root

I remember from long ago that you have a CF story. But I can't remember what it is, so .. yes please.

Yes please to the CF story

I loathe all the Bronte tomes anyway, so Rochester and Heathcliffe can kiss my arse.

Captain Wentworth (aka Ciaran Hind in the TV version) isa brilliant Austen hero.

x posts talkin.

I love Ciaran Hinds.

When I watched it again recently I did think that Jennifer Ehle is absolutely caked in make up and doesn't look like the healthy country girl that Elizabeth is supposed to be, also she looks in her thirties and Elizabeth is meant to be 20.

HOWEVER, apart from that I thought she was fab, and the production as a whole was wonderful.

(I thought it a shame seeing Jennifer Ehle as the very old-looking and dowdy wife of whatshisname being introduced to the King in The Kings Speech. But there was a line like "nice to see you again" which made me )

I thought that too re Kings Speech

The BBC P&P is ace. Julia Willsheswalla and Alison Steadman are pretty dreadful but that is forgivable because of the chemistry between Darcy and Elizabeth.

I think everyone is supposed to realise that Mary is right for Mr Collins. but he is too much of an arrogant pompous arse to realise that a plain dull wife would suit him.

I stick to the 1980 version, me.

CalatalieSisters - possibly Mary lusting for Mr Collins was also in the book, but then I don't remember it.... I know in the series, it was a sad little love story played out literally in the background. Poor Mary!