Can we just please take a moment to appreciate the beauty that is the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride & Prejudice

[JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows]

It is my go-to TV show when I'm bored and need something on in the background. The way Colin Firth looks at Jennifer Ehle makes my knees go weak. They don't make them like that anymore!

@ageingdisgracefully

It captures Austen's wit and observation brilliantly IMHO - much more so than any other version I've seen. I remember seeing it first time round but it's the kind of thing you can watch many times over and still love it. I've even bought the piano version of the theme music to have a bash at.

So, so funny. I can't see David Bamber in anything now without thinking of his cringe worthy dancing as Mr Collins.

@ageingdisgracefully

Have you seen the King’s Speech? JE, CF and DB are all in it, in wildly different roles. It blew my mind rather. (I don’t see many films)

(Must mention that the piano scene in this P&P is the most understated memorably burning lust I’ve ever seen )

Who had an affair? Colin and Jennifer?

Must mention that the piano scene in this P&P is the most understated memorably burning lust I’ve ever seen

This! It's practically verging on soft porn 😂

@UnityUnited

Who had an affair? Colin and Jennifer?

Yes though they were single at the time so it was a relationship rather than an affair.

Did anyone see Jennifer Ehle reading the whole of P&P for her Instagram followers? I've read it about 8 times and I don't really do audio books but I did see a few of her recordings, she has a lovely voice

I watched it late last year. Loved it

Ah, David Bamber! The Mr Collins against whom I judge all subsequent Mister Collins'! He was absolutely superb in this.

Have always loved it as the most perfect adaptation. Last year had the pleasure of watching it with DD (18) who also adored it.

I would like a special mention for Lady Catherine de Burgh.
My god she's amazing!

My DD and I watched it a few weeks ago, her first time. She keeps doing the creepy Mr Collins wave at me
Incidentally I am learning to play the piano and my teacher sent the new piece I am starting this week. It's Rondo alla Turca which is what Mrs Hurst plays on the piano to stop Mr Collins. I am stupidly excited about it.

I scared of watching it with my teenager because I fear she'd hate it. My dh tries not to think of it as fluff but I know that's what he thinks. I don't know when I'll be brave enough to share it with them.

@Aahotep

I would like a special mention for Lady Catherine de Burgh. My god she's amazing!

My DD and I watched it a few weeks ago, her first time. She keeps doing the creepy Mr Collins wave at me
Incidentally I am learning to play the piano and my teacher sent the new piece I am starting this week. It's Rondo alla Turca which is what Mrs Hurst plays on the piano to stop Mr Collins. I am stupidly excited about it.

She is the best Lady Catherine ever — and makes Judi Dench’s. erosion look decided also-ran.

@thelegohooverer

I used to love it but as I’ve got older I find it a bit meh. I’ve a lot more sympathy for Mrs Bennet now and huge impatience with Mr Bennet and the golden child dynamic with Elizabeth. And poor Mr Collins is so obviously on the autistic spectrum that it bothers me that he’s played as such a figure of fun.

Being middle aged has ruined all the good films for me.

I was on a thread (a couple of years back at least) where these exact points were made - Mrs Bennett was the parent actually looking out for her daughters, and how Mr Collins behaviour suggested autism.

I wish I could find it, there were a lot of other good points made too, details I'd overlooked.

It's my go to series when feeling ill and wanting something good to watch.

God yes, was so happy when I found it on Netflix!

Loved it!!!
Was excited when they announced they were making Death Comes To Pemberly because I enjoyed it as a follow on to P&P even though it was a different type of story, the series disappointed though....

@ZackaryQuack

Loved it!!! Was excited when they announced they were making Death Comes To Pemberly because I enjoyed it as a follow on to P&P even though it was a different type of story, the series disappointed though....

I love Matthew Rhys and Anna Maxwell but they were miscast in that. And that sex scene... I never thought I'd cringe at the idea of seeing Darcy's bum, but I did.

@ZackaryQuack Death Comes to Pemberley was brilliant in comparison to the book which was very different and had hardly any romance. Then again it was written by a crime novelist so I think I was barking up the wrong tree.

Oh David Bamber, he's excellent and will always be Mr Collins in my eyes.

The only thing I prefer about the movie version is Rosalind Pike made a better Jane. I thought the BBC Lady Catherine blew the otherwise wonderful Judi Dench out the water

What's your favourite line?
Mine is
"You go to Brighton? I wouldn't trust you as near it as Eastbourne. Not for £50."
And
Wistfully "A whole camp full of soldiers"

Casting Jane is always a problem, because Austen is quite clear on her being far prettier than Lizzy, though Lizzy is the heroine as film/tv audiences generally expect the best-looking actors to play the romantic leads — the Joe Wright/Keira Knightley 2005 version is the only one I’ve seen to go for that and cast the far more conventionally beautiful Rosamund Pike alongside KK as Lizzy. (And awkwardly, her Bingley was actually her ex...)

I rewatched this recently. Hadn’t seen it in YEARS. (Had the lot on video. Yes. Actual tape. I am that old!) LOVED IT!! I was a bit worried it wouldn’t be as brilliant as I remembered. It was. Completely.

'That will do, child. You have delighted us long enough. Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit'

I mean, when you think about it, Mr Bennett was mean. But the delivery on that last line was spot on 😆

I’ve a lot more sympathy for Mrs Bennet now and huge impatience with Mr Bennet and the golden child dynamic with Elizabeth.

This is the joy of Austen though, the characters are real, complex and flawed people. Alison Steadman played Mrs Bennet as a caricature (I preferred Brenda Blethyn's portrayal, it was more restrained) but she was just trying to do her best for her daughters.

I love the KK movie actually
I’d take Matthew macfadyen over Colin firth anyway

The actor Benjamin Whitrow who played Mr Bennett had fantastic comic timing.

I’ve never really had much sympathy for Mrs B. I didn’t see her as bright enough to want to do the best for her children. (If she had maybe she would have reined Lydia in!) Just that she liked an officer and enjoyed flirting and being social.
But MrB? He had the brains and only used them to ridicule his wife and daftest children.

You all need to read the book: The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow. It's all about Mary! It explores all sorts of themes mentioned here and is wonderful.

I always like to compare Mary and miss bingley- they are both fascinating characters.