Another reviewer has compared this unfavourably against Bride and Prejudice and I have to agree. The 1980 version is better and of course comparison with the 1995 one makes this appear like a bad amateur stage production. I confess I have yet to see the 1940 version but Lawrence Olivier is doubtless a superb Darcy.
The casting/acting is dire, I did not find a single character who appeared anything like those in the book (apart from the housekeeper at Pemberly and the incomparable Dame Judi as Lady Catherine). Darcy has become an effeminate wimp, Lizzy is little more than a girl, Mr. Bennet is now an old, American tramp, Mrs. Bennet looks like she should be living on benefits, Miss Darcy sounds and looks as though she is about 12 years old, Jane has clearly spent time at the hairdresser as her eyebrows do not match her blond hair, and so on and so on. I can only assume they looked at the 1995 TV series and tried to cast completely opposite in a vain effort to appear different.
The script is sadly far removed from the sharp, witty writing of Jane Austen. Worse still it is delivered in melodramatic fashion making it quite awful to listen to, without an ounce of wit or humour.
The film jumps from scene to scene so that the story does not so much flow as jerk along.
Do not waste your time on this poor (the highest praise I can offer) excuse for an adaptation. There are much better versions available.
The casting/acting is dire, I did not find a single character who appeared anything like those in the book (apart from the housekeeper at Pemberly and the incomparable Dame Judi as Lady Catherine). Darcy has become an effeminate wimp, Lizzy is little more than a girl, Mr. Bennet is now an old, American tramp, Mrs. Bennet looks like she should be living on benefits, Miss Darcy sounds and looks as though she is about 12 years old, Jane has clearly spent time at the hairdresser as her eyebrows do not match her blond hair, and so on and so on. I can only assume they looked at the 1995 TV series and tried to cast completely opposite in a vain effort to appear different.
The script is sadly far removed from the sharp, witty writing of Jane Austen. Worse still it is delivered in melodramatic fashion making it quite awful to listen to, without an ounce of wit or humour.
The film jumps from scene to scene so that the story does not so much flow as jerk along.
Do not waste your time on this poor (the highest praise I can offer) excuse for an adaptation. There are much better versions available.
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