I have read the book twice when I was at school when I was 10 years old back in 1995 and have recently re-read this spring. It was easily one of the most exciting books I've ever read in my entire life and became an instant favourite of mine, which contains characters that are both likable and distinguished from each other.
Having finished the book, I went to see the 1995 miniseries on BBC 1 that autumn, (And again recently on DVD), and I have to admit that this is the best adaptation I have ever seen in my entire life--- only the 2003 movie Return of the King ranks anywhere near the same league!. The actors were perfectly fit for their roles, and all them performed their part of the show very well.
Colin Firth is well cast in the very challenging role of g Mr. Darcy, an arrogant, self-absorbed (but gentle) aristocrat who is often viewed warily by other people. Among these include Elizabeth Bennet (played remarkably by Jennifer Ehle), the second child of an upper middle-class family and finds herself in the middle of the affections of two men-- the other being the charming, likable but brash Mr. Wickham. Events move around in this early XIX Century tale as Lizzy Bennet and Darcy begin to realise who wrong they are about one another-- acting on false information--and they begin to fall in love.
Apart from the great performances, the script captures the atmosphere of the novel down to the smallest detail much like the Soviet adaptation of War & Peace. The miniseries is divided in 3 parts (that is, the 3 volumes), with the right touch and feel, and nothing seems forced. The fact that things are much different now than they were back then-- (such as the fact that wealth in those days was measured in social class as well thousands of pounds, which today equals millions and celebrity status)-- leaves something to think about and to analyse. The dialogue is suitable of that period in history, as the characters always say something at the most implicit manner, without going overboard. Such aspects make the story and the characters VERY interesting.
The production design also catches up with the trends of the time perfectly, so you want to put on those breeches/corsets the next time you audition for this play!
In the end, this is a must-see for anyone exposed to it. And that includes Jane Austen fans, professional actors and directors, screenwriters, or even people looking for a good date movie. This is TRULY the greatest book-adaptation ever made. I hope the 2005 movie starring Keira Knightley catches up with this material when it hits movie theatres this Autumn.
Having finished the book, I went to see the 1995 miniseries on BBC 1 that autumn, (And again recently on DVD), and I have to admit that this is the best adaptation I have ever seen in my entire life--- only the 2003 movie Return of the King ranks anywhere near the same league!. The actors were perfectly fit for their roles, and all them performed their part of the show very well.
Colin Firth is well cast in the very challenging role of g Mr. Darcy, an arrogant, self-absorbed (but gentle) aristocrat who is often viewed warily by other people. Among these include Elizabeth Bennet (played remarkably by Jennifer Ehle), the second child of an upper middle-class family and finds herself in the middle of the affections of two men-- the other being the charming, likable but brash Mr. Wickham. Events move around in this early XIX Century tale as Lizzy Bennet and Darcy begin to realise who wrong they are about one another-- acting on false information--and they begin to fall in love.
Apart from the great performances, the script captures the atmosphere of the novel down to the smallest detail much like the Soviet adaptation of War & Peace. The miniseries is divided in 3 parts (that is, the 3 volumes), with the right touch and feel, and nothing seems forced. The fact that things are much different now than they were back then-- (such as the fact that wealth in those days was measured in social class as well thousands of pounds, which today equals millions and celebrity status)-- leaves something to think about and to analyse. The dialogue is suitable of that period in history, as the characters always say something at the most implicit manner, without going overboard. Such aspects make the story and the characters VERY interesting.
The production design also catches up with the trends of the time perfectly, so you want to put on those breeches/corsets the next time you audition for this play!
In the end, this is a must-see for anyone exposed to it. And that includes Jane Austen fans, professional actors and directors, screenwriters, or even people looking for a good date movie. This is TRULY the greatest book-adaptation ever made. I hope the 2005 movie starring Keira Knightley catches up with this material when it hits movie theatres this Autumn.