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!

The BBC did a version in the 60s that I loved. I'd love to get a copy of it to see if it is as good as I remember but I can't find the BBC have ever released it. It was on a Sunday afternoon round teatime. My memory is that it was better but that might be the effect of time.

@JamesMiddletonsMarshmallows

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 agree, I feel sorry for Mrs Bennett and I think Mr Bennett and Elizabeth are actually quite horrible to her in a snooty looking down at her way.

I this this version made her worse than the book.

This is the version I loved www.imdb.com/title/tt0155051/ If anyone knows if it is available anywhere I'd love to buy a copy, although it might shatter all my illusions.

@bellinisurge
That's so lovely

@ancientgran type 'Pride and Prejudice 1967' into YouTube. There's several episodes I could see.

I love this version also. The casting is brilliant, except, weirdly, Alison Steadman who I normally love.

I bought The Other Bennet Sister the other week, so looking forward to reading it.

Loved the 1995 P&P. I've loved Colin Firth ever since. The smouldering looks between him and Elizabeth could burn a whole building down. And no one has come close to David Bamber's Mr Collins. He is just awful - his greasy hair and sweaty top lip just turn my stomach!

I have to say though that Richard Armitage in North and South is gorgeous! He can also smoulder

Ahhh. I need to rewatch.

I can remember my dad, a man who never read a book in his life, scooting across rye sitting room to get in place with the rest of us to watch the next Ep. The nation was gripped!

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

Same here. He's just perfect for the role! This is the best adaptation.

so lovely

I often say "what are you talking of. I must have my share in the conversation"
My family often quote P&P at each other. My dad's favourite saying is; " what do we live for, but to make sport for our neighbours. And laugh at them in our turn".

I got a top for Christmas, that's says obstinate head strong girl on it.

Every time we go somewhere that seems to be taking a long time. "Shall we reach the house before dark?"

I went to Lyme park and just had to say it. Unfortunately you don't get to do the same drive that Lizzie does, and see the house and lake as you come round the corner.

Does anyone remember the 1980s version? It had Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul in it.

[quote Aahotep]@ancientgran type 'Pride and Prejudice 1967' into YouTube. There's several episodes I could see.[/quote]
Thanks, I've never used youtube, I was trying to buy a DVD. I'll go and have a look.

Ooh I loved the 1995 version. Mum had it on DVD and regularly watched (but missed the wet shirt scene every bloody time! She did eventually manage to watch it!).

I could watch it again and again! I don't know what happend to my version but will get it again!

I love this version too, rewatched it during the first lockdown when BBC4 repeated it on Thursday night. I even waited for each weekly episode even though it was all on iplayer. It felt like watching it PROPERLY somehow.

I think Jane is perfect in this. She B looks very like some of the paintings of beautiful women done at the time. Small features, blond hair, demure etc etc.

I know it’s not widely liked on here but I also love love love the Emma Thompson version of Sense and Sensibility.

Although much is made of smouldering Colin, its the exchanges between Lizzie and other characters that make it for me.

Lizzie v Lady Catherine in the garden
Lizzie v the Bingley sisters
Lizzie and Charlotte's frank exchanges

The adaptation worked as it was attentive to all characters, not just focusing on Lizzie and Darcy.

I think Darcy in the bath is more sexy than Darcy in the lake. Every time I watch it I wonder if the valet will inadvertently let the robe slip. Hasn't happened yet..☹️

I never fancy Colin Firth at all, and am always mildly baffled he’s considered so generally appealing as Darcy — he just looks slightly constipated, pink and self-conscious, with added damp when he meets Lizzy at Pemberley.

And for an adaptation that otherwise stays so close to the plotting, dialogue and characterisation of the novel (ok, Mrs Bennet’s decibel level is not specified by Austen), I get slightly irritated that BBC Darcy does something Austen’s Darcy wouldn’t ever consider— what! The master of Pemberley diving into his lake half-dressed and arriving home soaked in front of visitors!

I mean, Austen’s landowning characters are pretty staid and traditional — Mr Knightley in Emma won’t even contemplate eating outdoors when he has guests come to pick strawberries in his grounds, and says he thinks ladies and gentlemen and their servants and furniture are better off in a dining room!

I've just had an epiphany moment. You are all right. Mr Collin's "pompous" letter is exactly the style that my autistic dd writes in .

@kazzaD66

I bought The Other Bennet Sister the other week, so looking forward to reading it.

Loved the 1995 P&P. I've loved Colin Firth ever since. The smouldering looks between him and Elizabeth could burn a whole building down. And no one has come close to David Bamber's Mr Collins. He is just awful - his greasy hair and sweaty top lip just turn my stomach!

Had a great conversation with my lovely MIL once about the Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle smouldering looks. According to MIL this is because "they had a torrid affaire" while filming it all . "Torrid" is not a word MIL uses day to day so she obviously read about the "torrid affaire" in some tabloid or other. I do adore my MIL.

Apparantly CF and JE did indeed have a short relationship.

And yes....David Bamber is just sublime in the role, but I adore him in everything I've seen him in. Wonderful actor and not in the least like Mr Collins. Quite fanciable but then I'm in my 50s now and he's in my age range.

@ageingdisgracefully I remember that one!
I loved it growing up and was initially unsure about the 95 version.
Which I now LOVE.

Hated the KK film.

@bellinisurge I hope I remember that as my mother gets more infirm. She'd love it!

@PuppyMonkey
People don't like S&S? Wtaf? It's wonderful though!