Summary: In Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice, the arrival of a young, well-off, eligible man named Mr. Bingley sends the Bennet household--with five girls of a marrying age--into a tizzy. But it's the introduction of Mr. Bingley's friend, Mr. Darcy (played with an imperious scowl by David Rintoul), that sets in motion the fate of Elizabeth Bennet (the adorable Elizabeth Garvie), resolved only after a labyrinth of social and personal complexities. Austen's novels are miracles of skillful plotting, fusing a rich understanding of psychological motivation with whimsical turns of chance. This superb BBC adaptation from 1980 zips along, thanks to lively performances, fluid direction, and a keen grasp of the wit of Austen's dialogue (expertly translated to the screen by British novelist Fay Weldon) and her satirical characters, who range from clever and kind to utterly odious. Due to its faithfulness and deep appreciation of the material, this five-episode miniseries stands up against any other film or television adaptation (at least nine to date), though Rintoul may not sets hearts aflutter the way Colin Firth did in the also excellent 1995 miniseries.
Script: Fay Weldon
Directed by: Cyril Coke
Produced by: Jonathan Powell
Length: Approximately 265 minutes
Release Date: 13 January 1980
Costume Designer: Joan Ellacott
Soundtrack Composer: Wilfred Josephs
Cast:
Elizabeth Garvie as Elizabeth Bennet
David Rintoul as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy
Moray Watson as Mr. Bennet
Priscilla Morgan as Mrs. Bennet
Sabina Franklyn as Jane Bennet
Tessa Peake-Jones as Mary Bennet
Clare Higgins as Kitty Bennet
Natalie Ogle as Lydia Bennet
Osmund Bullock as Mr. Bingley
Marsha Fitzalan as Caroline Bingley
Jennifer Granville as Mrs. Hurst
Edward Arthur as Mr. Hurst
Irene Richard as Charlotte Lucas
Malcolm Rennie as Mr. Collins
Peter Settelen as Mr. Wickham
Judy Parfitt as Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Miss Anne de Bourgh
Miss Georgiana Darcy
Barbara Shelley as Mrs. Gardiner
Mr. Gardiner
Shirley Cain as Mrs. Philips
Colonel Fitzwilliam
Quotes:
- Mary Bennet: It's been my experience, that an event looked forward to with much impatient desire, does not always brings its promised satisfaction.
- Elizabeth Bennet: We all love to instruct, though we teach only what is not worth knowing.
Links of Interest:
- IMDb's P&P Page
- Costume Trivia
- Film Goofs
- Masterpiece Theatre's Archive Page
- My Pride And Prejudice Blog
- P&P Photo Gallery
- Buy DVD at Amazon.com
Visit our P&P (1980) Photo Gallery!
Trailers & Clips:
The Bennets receive visit from Mr. Darcy & Mr. Bingley
My Music Videos:
Pride & Prejudice Themes
I'm glad you liked this version, it's the best-acted so far, the actors were not only faithful to the novel but brought out even better. Mr Collins was superb - far more amusing and convincing than the novel.
ReplyDeleteI was madly in love with David Rintoul. Met him at the stage door after Richard ii in Bath and he was lovely, friendly and full of energy! Nothing like his portrayal of a Darcy or Dr Finlay.
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