If you think about it, based on the amount of time you spent watching all these movies, you could have read the book. Seriously, do yourself a favor and read the book. It's wonderful.
This is my favorite version. I think it has the best Gardiners, the best Collins, the best Wickham, the best Mrs. Bennet and the best Mr. Bennet. I like this Mr. Darcy. Why? Because, in the book, Darcy is an enigma. He's a complete mystery to Elizabeth and, since the book is written from her point of view, he's a mystery to us too. And this version retains that aura of mystery. At the end, when he's out walking with his dearest, loveliest Elizabeth, he does smile. And it's quite an attractive smile, IMO.
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elisabetta611
17 years ago
At the end, when he's out walking with his dearest, loveliest Elizabeth, he does smile. And it's quite an attractive smile, IMO.
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With that I agree, Julie. Good to see somebody stick up for David for a change. I love his Mr. Darcy, esp. during the second proposal. (Best version of that proposal ever, even though not entirely accurate)
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splattiam
17 years ago
I do agree that Mr. Darcy was very accurate, I have read a few chapters. One think I really liked is that Darcy was elusive, and Elizabeth seemed more feisty to me. IMO the '95 version made her too likeable, I did not see that she had done any wrong at first. The '80 version showed that both characters had major flaws. An I agree about Mr. Darcy's smile, I was so glad to finally see that!
I liked Elizabeth's line toward the end, something about how Mr. Darcy only knows her faults, she only knows his faults as well, but they still love each other somehow, very sweet!
I love all 3 versions in different ways, I try to see them as seperate movies. They all have wonderful qualities that I love!
Also, I have heard good things about the 1940's version, I guess that is the next movie on my list to see.
Everything's going to change. Have a cluckity-cluck-cluck day, Hugo!
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weaselfrance
17 years ago
The 1940 version is very different to the other adaptations. It has some good things (Greer Garson's Lizzy and the relationship between Lizzy and Mr Bennet seems close and affectionate, Mr Collins is always good comedy value), but be prepared for some of the worst costumes to be seen on film and major liberties to be taken with the story. Having said that, the 1940 version is rather a guilty pleasure of mine.
You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope
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trenna-1
17 years ago
I saw this series for the first time in the early 90's I think. After the first episode, I quickly got the book and read it.
This is by far my favorite version. The characters are wonderful. Mrs. Bennet is just the right amount of silly and annoying. Elizabeth is perfect.
I'm not fond of the newer version. Colin Firth is too sad, not enough pride for me. I think Jennifer Eith is too smirky. However, my biggest complaint about the newer version is the dialogue that they added. Jane Austen doesn't need more words put into her story, IMHO.
My only complaint about this series was the ending. I loved the the book's ending with Darcy and Mr. Bennett and felt they appreviated the ending too much.
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Julie-30
17 years ago
The book doesn't end with Darcy and Mr. Bennet.
This is the very last paragraph of the book, from chapter 61:
With the Gardiners, they were always on the most intimate terms. Darcy, as well as Elizabeth, really loved them; and they were both ever sensible of the warmest gratitude towards the persons who, by bringing her into Derbyshire, had been the means of uniting them.
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trenna-1
17 years ago
Well, very true, because the book tied up more loose ends like that one.
I just felt they clipped the ending after taking such care with the dialogue in the rest of the story.
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