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!

It was done superbly and still remains one of my favourites.

I think Mrs Bennett is funny because she doesn't really suffer with 'her nerves' she just thinks it's fashionable to always be getting the vapours. Actually she is pretty bolshy and not afraid to make Mr Darcy aware that she doesn't like him.

The Other Bennet Sister is excellent, as was Longbourn. I recently read Charlotte but found it very unrealistic and disappointing. For a completely different take, I loved Curtis Sittenfeld’s modern P&P, Eligible. It was part of The Austen Project and I thought it was the only one to believably update 19th Century dilemmas to the 21st Century. Purists won’t like the transfer to 21st Century Cincinnati but I loved it. Mr Bennet’s attempt to cut Mary short is translated to “Oh Mary, put a sock in it” which made me laugh.

DH and I often say “I send no compliments to your mother” to one another. That and (from Daniel Deronda) “I’m going to ..., you shan’t mind” (said in the manner of Hugh Bonneville)

@coopz I think they should've left Sanditon alone. JA didn't finish it, so why bother to dramatise it? Having said that, I think it would've been an absolute hoot had she lived long enough to complete it.

Pointless factoid: isn't Sanditon by the same screenwriter as P and P (ie Andrew Davies)?

It’s one of the best things that have ever been on TV

[quote ageingdisgracefully]@coopz I think they should've left Sanditon alone. JA didn't finish it, so why bother to dramatise it? Having said that, I think it would've been an absolute hoot had she lived long enough to complete it.

Pointless factoid: isn't Sanditon by the same screenwriter as P and P (ie Andrew Davies)?[/quote]
Yes, Andrew Davies wrote the screenplay and you can definitely see elements of P&P in it.

Agree, they can't leave it alone but it's probably because there's only so many remakes of her other books they can make. I don't know why they don't just write an original romantic drama based in the Georgian era but then I guess it wouldn't have the pull of Jane Austen. The Lady Susan film with Kate Beckinsale wasn't too bad though.

I heard that the team behind Poldark were working on a gritty version of P&P but I don't know how that's coming along or even if it would be worth watching. I know a lot of people rave about the Longbourne book but I hated it. It wasn't in the spirit of P&P and sucked all the joy out of the original P&P. I know servants had a hard life in those days, but fgs, let me just enjoy the bonnets and longing looks over the pianoforte.

I read a review of Charlotte recently and it sounded awful and not like the characters Austen wrote

This is my t-shirt! www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/Obstinate-Headstrong-Girl-Pride-and-Prejudice-Jane-Austen-Quote-Design-by-TexasLove/25992634.22W0K.XYZ

My favourite quote (Darcy on Elizabeth).

"She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me, and I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men."

Cracking!

@Coopz totally agree about Longbourn. If it had been a standalone story not connected I wouldn't have minded it or if it had been funny- the lower orders had a sense of humour too then ok.
Tbh I get a bit fed up sometimes with modern discussion of old novels.
I don't really like the revision of Jane Eyre since Wide Sargasso Sea either.

AND I SAY STAIRCASES BECAUSE THERE ARE SEVERAL

I SEND NO COMPLIMENTS TO YOUR MOTHER YOU DESERVE NO SUCH ATTENTION

HAD I LEARNED I SHOULD HAVE BEEN A TRUE PROFICIENT AND SO WOULD ANNE

I literally know it verbatim

Thanks OP

It has NEVER been equalled not even by the two Dickens they did that were very good Bleak House (Anna Maxwell Martin) and Little Dorrit (Claire Foy)

Closest runner up is Richard Armitage North and South

Oh I loved North and South! The book is great too.

I used to live really close to the place that played Pemberley, it was lovely. Especially when they had an installation of a huge Mr Darcy coming up out of the lake in his shirt.

Jane (through gritted teeth): it is of great doctrinal import sir.

@Aahotep

Oh I loved North and South! The book is great too.

I used to live really close to the place that played Pemberley, it was lovely. Especially when they had an installation of a huge Mr Darcy coming up out of the lake in his shirt.

Jane (through gritted teeth): it is of great doctrinal import sir.

We went to an exhibition of the costumes at Tatton Park shortly after the TV series finished. Granted they were on headless dummies, and also I am very tall, but I was stunned at how tiny Jennifer Ehle must be!

*Lyme Park! 🙄

Re Mrs Bennet, when I was a teenager and read/watched P&P I remember thinking what an awful highly strung nag she was and how cool and hip Mr Bennet was.

But looking back now as someone older and with children, I totally get it.

There was a very real risk of them being plunged into comparative poverty - it happened to the Dashwoods in Sense and Sensibility and the Bates' in Emma. Herself and 5 other women to clothe and feed would be the modern day equivalent of bankruptcy and moving into a bedsit I imagine. And at no ones fault at all. So I completely understand her frustration at the injustice and her eagerness to marry her girls off. And I now get so cross at Mr Bennet who doesn't seem to care much about the entail - I very much get a "it's not gonna be my problem" vibe from him. For example, Winding her up that he wouldn't introduce the family to a rich single bachelor I used to find funny but now I feel like shouting "FFS man they'll be homeless if you don't get shifty on stop being a prick and go see Mr Bingley".

I think the only true flaw I now think Mrs Bennet had (apart from being a bit of a loudmouth) is that she put all her eggs in one Jane shaped basket when she should have spent her energy checking her younger daughters (very silly girls indeed ). Then again Mr B never bothered to check them either and was a fool to let Lydia go to Brighton. IRL she'd have probably come back up the duff. All he wanted was a quiet life 🙄 men really haven't changed much have they in 200 years

I’m a big fan of Jane Austen and love this version of Pride and Prejudice. Wasn’t too keen on Sanditon, but would recommend ‘Love and Friendship’ with Kate Beckinsale as Lady Susan. Very funny! She was also I think the best Emma.

Its my go to if I am off sick and need a cheer up.

Mr Darcy emerging wet and dripping from the lake.

Best adaptation there has ever been.

I think the only true flaw I now think Mrs Bennet had (apart from being a bit of a loudmouth) is that she put all her eggs in one Jane shaped basket

She should have sent Jane and Lizzie away and set Collins at Mary also.

Miss Bingley: "I am all astonishment!"

"I SEND NO COMPLIMENTS TO YOUR MOTHER YOU DESERVE NO SUCH ATTENTION"

Is something my late mum and I used to say to each other regularly.

When she (late mum) was struggling with ill health, we used to "take a turn about the room " with her using her Zimmer because it was "so refreshing ". And laugh our hearts out while doing so

That’s gorgeous @bellinisurge

@bellinisurge

"I SEND NO COMPLIMENTS TO YOUR MOTHER YOU DESERVE NO SUCH ATTENTION"

Is something my late mum and I used to say to each other regularly.

When she (late mum) was struggling with ill health, we used to "take a turn about the room " with her using her Zimmer because it was "so refreshing ". And laugh our hearts out while doing so

Oh, @bellinisurge, what a lovely memory that must be for you - your mum sounds adorable!

@bellinisurge

"I SEND NO COMPLIMENTS TO YOUR MOTHER YOU DESERVE NO SUCH ATTENTION"

Is something my late mum and I used to say to each other regularly.

When she (late mum) was struggling with ill health, we used to "take a turn about the room " with her using her Zimmer because it was "so refreshing ". And laugh our hearts out while doing so

What a beautiful memory

It's definitely the best version around.