Back to Pemberley: 8 Pride and Prejudice Adaptations

By Kayleigh Chevrier on April 9, 2015

It is a truth universally acknowledged that anyone in possession of a good library must be a fan of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. See what I did there?

Anyway, these famous words opened Jane Austen’s most popular novel, Pride & Prejudice, published in 1813. Even if you haven’t read or seen an adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, you’ve probably heard of the novel’s main characters: Ms. Elizabeth Bennet and, of course, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. *Cue the “ooh la la’s” of everyone all over the world*

Pride & Prejudice is a fantastic novel presenting the issues of manners, upbringing, morality, education, and marriage in the early 19th century. Being a fan of Jane Austen’s work, I, too, have read Pride & Prejudice more times than I care to admit (or should admit to polite society) and I’ve seen many film adaptations retelling the beloved story of Darcy and Elizabeth.

A lot of people find issues with the crossover from novels into films, but I think there are some great adaptations out there that really capture the essence of the story.

I’ve collected a list of eight best Pride & Prejudice adaptations out there to date.

1. 1980 Pride & Prejudice 

That Hair Though. imbd.com

To start, BBC released Pride & Prejudice, a television series in 1980 starring Elizabeth Garvie as Elizabeth Bennet and David Rintoul as Mr. Darcy. PBS televised it as part of the Masterpiece Theatre Series in 1981.

There are five episodes each running about 55 minutes. The costumes are all great, but not as amazing as their fantastic hair. If you’re interested in seeing what great perms really look like, definitely check out this series.

2. 1995 Pride & Prejudice 

crosshairpress.com

As if one attempt wasn’t enough, BBC remade Pride & Prejudice in 1995 starring Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet and my one true bae, Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. The series has six, 55 minute long episodes and was honored with several awards, including a BAFTA Television Award and an Emmy.

The role of Mr. Darcy elevated Colin Firth to stardom and it’s not hard to see why (bless you BBC for that gratuitous wet shirt scene, am I right, ladies?).

This adaptation has great costumes, amazing music, fabulous scenery, and Colin Firth. It also has Colin Firth, other actors who interact with Colin Firth, and an excellent beloved character, perfectly portrayed by Colin Firth. Did I mention Colin Firth?

The lake scene is so iconic, they put it up at Hyde Park, UK.
 huffingtonpost.com

3. Pride & Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy 

imdb.com

Next, in 2003, an independent film company released a P&P adaptation set in modern-day Provo, Utah starring Kam Heskin and Orlando Seale as Elizabeth and Will Darcy called Pride & Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy.

Although the subtitle claims it’s a “latter day comedy,” aspects of the Mormon culture are very trivial, making the film accessible to all viewers. This adaptation presents a cool re-telling of Elizabeth Bennet, a struggling novelist, and her annoying-but-gradually-enlightening encounters with the incredibly cocky “Will Darcy,” her new editor.

Hmm. Maybe I should start writing novels and try to find a really hot editor. Then all of my spinster days would be over.

4. 2005 Pride & Prejudice 

imbd.com

In 2005, Working Title Films and StudioCanal released a new adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, directed by Joe Wright. This is probably my favorite adaptation because the cinematography, the absolutely fabulous soundtrack, and, of course the talented cast, really brings to life the world-beloved story of five girls in the country.

Although it lacks the famous 1995 version’s “Oh whoops, I caught Mr. Darcy taking a swim and there he is emerging quite deliciously from the lake” scene, it beautifully enhances the final love confession between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, forever setting the bar way too high for men to uphold (care to accept that challenge, boys?).

I can hear the heartbeats of girls around the world stop just by looking at this photo.
blog.lib.umn.edu

5. Bride & Prejudice 

imbd.com

Alright. I totally lied. THIS is my favorite rendition of P&P, directed and produced by Gurinder Chadha in 2004. Like the catchy movie slogan suggests, it is “Bollywood meets Hollywood” and boy it’s just too perfect of a match.

Aishwarya Rai delivers a fantastic portrayal of the strong-willed, intelligent, though primarily judgmental, Elizabeth Darcy, against the proper, seemingly arrogant yet conveniently good looking, William Darcy, played by Martin Henderson.

Not only does it feature beautiful costumes and beautiful cultures, like most Bollywood films, but it’s also a MUSICAL!!! Who doesn’t love a musical! What’s not to love? I guarantee after one viewing of this film, you’ll be singing “No Life Without Wife” as often as I do.

6. Lost in Austen

Look at that beautiful cast
amazon.com

In 2008, Guy Andrews wrote a four-part fantasy adaptation of Pride & Prejudice called Lost in Austen. Jemima Rooper plays Amanda, a woman from the modern world, who enters the plot of the novel through a portal, causing her to meet the Bennet family and alter the events of the novel in a humorous, yet drastic, manner.

All I can say is, if this happened to me, I’d be more than happy to go through the motions and become the new “Elizabeth” Bennet. Dreams do come true. Plus, they re-create the famous “rising out of the lake” scene that was in the 1995 Pride & Prejudice.

Thank God for this scene, am I right? juliebozza.com

7. Bridget Jones’s Diary 

imbd.com

Ah yes. Let’s not forget about the 2001 British Comedy, Bridget Jones’s Diary, directed by Sharon Maguire. It’s based on Helen Fielding’s book of the same title, which is a reinterpretation of Austen’s Pride & Prejudice.

Bridget Jones’s Diary follows Bridget (Renee Zellweger) as she writes about her life as a single woman in her thirties, working at a small publishing company.

Bridget Jones’s Diary also stars great leading men like Hugh Grant, who we assume to be the Mr. Wickham character, and, wait for it, the one and only, Colin Firth, playing Mark Darcy. He’ll never be rid of that character persona. He’s just too darn good at it!

8. Austenland 

imbd.com

Rounding out this list is Austenland. In 2013, Sony Pictures released Austenland, a British-American romantic comedy film. Like Bridget Jones’s Diary, it is also based on a book, with this one being written by Shannon Hale.

The movie follows Jane Hayes (played by Keri Russell) a single 30-something who has always harbored a not-so-subtle love for all things Austen, so she blows all her money on a visit to Austenland, an immersive Jane Austen-themed resort.

Not only does it have funny parts (Jennifer Coolidge is in it), but the movie also tackles the important distinction between having a real relationship for the right reasons rather than having a fake one for any reason.

In short, regardless if you’re an Austen fan, I encourage you to watch at least one of these adaptations. Yes, it seems like overkill. I mean, how many times can you tell the same story? Will they ever be as good as the book?

Well, like anything else, just check it out! Before you know it, you’ll have made it through several different renditions of the same story, each presenting you with a new view that may actually enhance the way you read the book.

Like Mr. Darcy says, I cannot tell you exactly when I fell in love with Pride & Prejudice; I was already swept in the middle of it before I knew it had begun. Hopefully after watching an adaptation of your favorite book, you too will find a whole new understanding of it that you’ve never thought of before.

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