Jul 25, 2011

the great Pride and Prejudice debate



Well, I'm in for a bit of sport 'round here, as it has been quiet with sweet comments and the comment, pleasant niceties {not that I am quite fond of sweet, pleasant comments}, but why do we not have a bit of a debate here, in which I hope this post receives a lot of comments, because it involves something very close to all of our fanciful, romantic hearts...
{^Good heavens! This must be the longest run-on in history! ^:D} 

two words :: Pride and Prejudice 

The well-known, passionate love story between one beautiful, young woman who is quite prejudice towards the prideful and one, wealthy, handsomely-dashing young man who is quite prideful in his mannerisms. Indeed, this is the tale that has controversially made a difference in the way we view English romances. 
This the love trials between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. 

I have grown up watching English romances, as Mother was quite fond of them herself. Whenever she borrowed a VHS period drama of Jane Austen's novels or Charles Dickens from the library when I was younger, I always groaned saying, "Oh, yes, you got one of those boring movies again." *smile* Yes, that was my opinion when I was young. Little did I know what intricate, wonderful plots were woven into a period drama movie. Soon, when I was a bit older, Mother introduced Sense and Sensibility {explaining the plot to me along the way ;)} which I fell so in love with, I needed to find more! 
I am not quite sure whence I watched the beloved Pride and Prejudice...a little before my thirteenth birthday, for I had received the 1995 version from my kind aunt.

{Disclaimer :: none of the photos below are mine.}



Pride and Prejudice 1995

Miss Elizabeth Benet :: Jennifer Ehle
Mr. Darcy :: Colin Firth 



Pride and Prejudice 2005
Miss Elizabeth Benet :: Keira Knightley
Mr. Darcy :: Matthew Macfayden 


For me there is really no question between these movies that the 1995 version is better. The acting is just superb and the plot goes closely along the original storyline. It is what I imagine Pride and Prejudice to be. 

The 2005 version to me was...off. It was too modern for me is what I make of it. After being so used to the 1995 version, the two are incomparable.  Curious of what the 2005 version was like, I decided upon looking up a few Youtube videos, but after watching the first five minutes of it, I skipped through the scenes. The costumes were not historically correct and Elizabeth acted quite ill, being somewhat childish throughout the movie. The one thing I did like was the color, and the movie held a sort of magical enchantment with colors and scenery and lighting.  


Miss Elizabeth Bennet 



Colin Firth and Matthew Macfayden! Oh, what to do?! Matthew Macfayden is a handsomely-dashing man, but when Mr. Darcy comes to mind, Colin Firth fits the part :: perfectly. 



~Sisters~


So the question still stands....what is your favorite Pride and Prejudice version? Share your thoughts!

With Fondest Regards,
Grace  

29 comments:

  1. The 1995 version is completely better. No question about it. :) As a accuracy geek. The dresses, hair, manner, EVERYTHING. Is better. It sticks closure to the book. And the cast is way better suited and they all play their parts better then the people in the 2005 version. The 2005 seems more like a modern soap opera to me. They did so many things in it that would not have been done in the Regency time period I found it be quite a distressing thing to watch.

    JMHO. :)

    BTW. I was wondering if I could include your blog in my blogroll?

    Brooke

    http://stitchesofthepast.blogspot.com/

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  2. @Brooke
    I completely agree! I only watched the first few minutes of the movie and was distressed {perfect way that you put it ;)} by the inaccuracy. :D

    Oh, and please! Feel free to put my blog on your blogroll! I would really appreciate it.

    Lovingly,
    Grace

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  3. I've only seen Sence and Scensibility so I've not seen any of the other Austen movies although I'd like to soon!
    Blessings,
    Bethany

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  4. The book is my favorite version!

    So much of what takes place in Pride and Prejudice is inside Elizabeth's head, and there is no way a movie can capture that. No movie can capture Jane Austen's delightful skewering of the romance novels of the day. No movie can show in the same way as the book how she is examining each different relationship. All a movie can capture, really, is the plot.

    Now Jane Austen's plots are well worth it. But her books are so much more than just a plot. No movie can do the same as a good book.

    Besides, they always get at least one character wrong in their casting. :-)

    Katie

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  5. There is no question, in my mind, which of these 2 P&Ps is better! The 1995 edition starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle is and always will be my favorite! There is so much passion in it and the actors seemed to be much better suited to their characters. I even find that the music is more suiting to that time era. The dresses and hair styles in the 2005 edition felt a bit more modern, as did the language...

    Hmmm... perhaps I have watched this movie too many times?!?! lol *winks*

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  6. I've never seen the older version. But I loved the 2005 version, I do think it could have been longer. But that's just me ;-) I'll have to go and watch the 1995 version =)

    -Anna

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    Replies
    1. I haven't seen the older version, but I completely enjoy the 2005 version... It makes me feel as if i am Elizabeth, and as if i live in those times!:))
      -Natalya

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  7. I agree with you completely.

    I liked the new one, if you just watch it and don't compare it to the book or the 1995 version. It's an okay movie, by itself. But it isn't Pride and Prejudice.

    She is a very snotty, prideful, childish depiction of Elizabeth, where she was kind and mature in the old one, even if she was a little quick to judge.

    Mr. Darcy isn't bad if you are on the side of "shy Darcy". I, personally, am on the side that isn't common. It's called the "reserved Darcy theory" and THAT doesn't really describe either of the Mr. Darcys, but I think it describes the old one better than the new.

    I liked Jane in the new adaption, but I also liked her in the old one, a lot.

    Basically, the new one is okay, but the old one is better on so many different levels that there can really be no comparison.

    --Darby May--

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  8. DEFINITELY the 1995 version! And this is coming from a girl who got introduced to Jane Austen BY the Keira Knightley version of P&P. :D Once I saw the Jennifer Ehle version I knew it was the real deal. :D

    I enjoyed stumbling upon your pretty blog today, Grace! :D

    Blessings,
    Julia

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  9. There is no doubt in my mind, the 1995 version is decidedly better. Jennifer makes such a beautiful Lizzy, and no one make a better Darcy then the young Collin Firth! He is perfect for the roll...

    The only thing that I would have to say derogatory about the older P & P is that they never had an adequate 'Kiss' between Darcy and Lizzy... not once. ^_^ You have this long, drawn out love story, but the ending was just a bit week. What are your thoughts on this??

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  10. Definitely love the Colin Firth one... {or 1995 version... I just can't help but always say "You know? The Colin Firth Pride & Prejudice!" :D}
    I do like watching the other one, I can't deny it, but I definitely like the other one sooo much more!

    -Many Smiles!

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  11. I have only watched the older version, so I can't really say. I am of the opinion that if what you want is accuracy in just about every way you had better go with the older one. Though I think the newer version has its merits also. I found a REALLY good comparison once, but don't know where it came from now, oh well!

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  12. Hello, dearies!:)

    @ Darby May :: I do agree with you on the "Reserved Mr. Darcy Theory." Colin Firth, to me, is the best actor for his part, he's stern and yet very caring...I would like to be Georgianna Darcy just because I'd have Mr. Darcy as my older, protective brother!!!:D But I do like how Matthew Macfayden portrayed Mr. Darcy as well...the more meek, reserved sort of man, if not prideful.

    @ Julia :: Why, thank you! I am very happy to have a new "visitor" to my garden. ;)

    @ Johanna :: I too, believe that they didn't have a dramatic romance scene like in the newer version, but I like how Mr. Darcy's feelings were expressed by his tender looks and smiles and his actions of tracking down Mr. Willoughby and Lydia and making them wed. :)

    Thank you for your thoughts, girls!:)
    Love,
    Grace, The Keeper of the Garden

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  13. I haven't actually seen the 1995 version, but I LOVED the 2005 one. And I think I would like it better. People say that the 1995 version is way too long and I think its probably more like a play than a movie, which I personally don't like. But that's just me. :)

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  14. Ooh...the great Pride and Prejudice debate! This is one fight I've been picking for four years. I am reading P&P for the fifth time, and the 1995 version is lightyears closer to the original story line. But! I stand with '05. Something about this version enchants...it is simply superb in terms of beautiful English settings, chemistry between the eternal Darcy~Lizzie, lovely music...this version is sublime. The movie stands by itself, although it murders Jane Austen's original witty dialogue, which is substituted by an almost spiritual, sort of penetrating all-encompessing love between the two. Both are enjoyable, but one is unbeatable.
    Also, Austen never gave the time period for any of her books, Persuasion withstanding. It could be georgian or regency era. The directer of '05 felt the empire lines to be unflattering and set the film in the late 1790's...so Caroline wears an empire, being on the cutting edge of fashion, as the book points out, while others are dressed in low waists.
    My only true "problem" with 1995 is the age of Ehle and Firth. He cannot be 28, and she is most certainly not 21. All charcters seem to old for their roles in this sparkling tail of youthful misunderstanding.
    That said, for textual Austen purists, I completely understand preference for the acurate BBC version. But sometimes something is too good to argue.

    Luv this post,

    Rachel

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    Replies
    1. Actually, Austin does place Pride and Prejudice. When the regiment comes to Meryton the first time Elizabeth asks: "are you here to protect us against the French?' Being written at the time of the Napoleonic wars we can deduct that this takes place after the empire waist has come into fashion, that having happened before 1800. At the end of the book, Wickham's fate states that with the end of the war he left his commission. We can assume that this means the 1812/13 defeat of Napoleon by the Russians. Though English waistlines were generally lower that French ones, they were still much higher than those represented in the 05 version. Though the war talked of could have been the Revolution years or Napoleon's earlier years of conquest, it would change nothing. The Revolution had a much different mode of life and the Napoleonic wars had the same fashions as 1812, perhaps even more sheer and high-waisted.

      On the other hand, the 2005 version has its moments and Mcfayden is very dashing. Though I feel that he would be a better Rochester than Darcy, what with all the moodiness and whatnot.

      But totally 95. It goes as far as anything can to capture the feel of the book.

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  15. @ Rachel :: I do agree with you on the youthfulness of the characters, but Keira Knightley is too overly dramatic for me. Her mannerisms were inaccurate to the time period...a young lady wouldn't have slouched or ran out of the house when Mr. Collins proposed to her.

    Thank you for your thoughts! This is why I published this Pride and Prejudice debate. :)

    Oh, and girls! You may watch the full movie of {both} Pride and Prejudice's on Youtube {the 1995 version on my page labeled "of drama and literature."

    Blessings,
    Grace

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  16. I just recently watched the whole 2005 version and I really liked it! I later watched part of the other one, and didn't think that it was as good. Maybe, if I had seen them in different order, I would like the older one better. So, I would have to go with the newer version.

    Blessings!
    Bethany

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  17. Haha, what a funny debate! I am not much of a huge fan of P&P, but I have noticed the difference between the two. I think I like both equally, except for how the Lizzy in the '95 one doesn't show as much...passion/emotion as the '05 one. I couldn't help but think of the Lizzy from the older one as Snow White...She's very cute, and I like her a lot, I just don't know if she fits with the P&P in my opinion. I did however see the newer one first, (and most. It's the favourite of my elder sister and Mum.) and that usually seems to be the key of what one will like better. My cousin saw the BBC one first, and therefore liked that one best. And other way around with my sister. So, there are my few thoughts ;)
    Have a glorious day in the Lord!
    Raechel

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  18. I believe that the 1940's Pride and Prejudice is the best. It may not be as accurate but I really don't care for the 1995 or the 2005 version. Plus Laurence Olivier is awesome!

    Joanna

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    Replies
    1. I love that I'm not the only one who's seen that. Totally wrong on the plot but still so much fun.

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  19. I completely agree with you Miss Grace! I first saw the 1995 version and fell in love with it. I later saw the 2005 version and thought the same exact thoughts as you!

    In Christ,
    ~Shannon~

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  20. Dear Grace,
    My opinions on these adaptions would be way too long for a comment, but I've started a series comparing them. You can find the first part on my blog.

    Blessings,
    Miss Georgiana (Maria Elisabeth)

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  21. Ok, gotta put in my opinion! lol!

    The 1995 is MUCH better. Several reasons. They definitely followed the book MUCH better, as well as did better in their historical accuracy. It is also long, which is a MUST when doing P&P. I'm sorry, it just CANNOT be 'properly' done in 2 hours.
    Keira Knightly and Matthew McFayden did not, in my opinion, do as good a job acting as Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. The whole proposal scene was totally messed up in the newer version.
    A few things I HATED about the newer version were these: First of all, most of the conduct going on (even among the respective characters-Lizzy, Jane, Bingley, Darcy, etc- was not appropriate. People did not come calling in the middle of the night. Respectable people did NOT go walking early in the morning in their BATHROBES and shirts undone, revealing their chests. TOTALLY not appropriate for that time period and DEFINITELY not something Mr. Darcy would do!
    Haha, sorry.. guess I got a little passionate about that! hehe.... Thanks for opening up this subject. kind of a fun one to discuss. :)

    Love ya, dear friend!!
    Sarah

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  22. I like Jane and Lydia better in the newer version. I like Lizzy better in the older version. But Mary and Kitty are good in both versions. :) I like Colin Firth is a better Mr. Darcy. I like Mr. Bennet better in the older version, but Mrs. Bennet is better (can she be better?) in the newer version! :) Sorry for the RANT!

    ~Johanna :)

    Proverbs 16:3

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  23. I personally love the 2005 version. I find that the 2005 version has much more emotion and passion in it than the 1995 version. Also, about the costumes: as someone mentioned in their comment earlier, the director felt that empire waists are unflattering and set the movie when Jane Austen originally wrote the book instead of later like the 1995 version depicts. The 1995 version is longer and thus contains more details and portrays the plot line in greater detail, but the 2005 version shows, in my opinion, more of the gritty, day-to-day details of life as people back then lived. One more thought: the 2005 version is, in my thoughts, more enjoyable to sit down and watch. However, I respect everyone's opinions about which adaption they prefer. :)

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  24. Well, as my friend put it, whichever version you watch first will typically be your favorite. I for one, watched the 1995 first, and so I like it better. :)

    Thank you girls for writing your input. I'll have to do another Jane Austen debate soon. ;)

    Love,
    Grace, The Keeper of the Garden

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  25. LOVE this debate! I think 1995 is my favorite but I would have to say that I am also a huge fan of 2005. But if I had to pick one over the other, 1995 for the performances, the music, the costumes, etc. Simply wonderful!

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  26. lol! I actually just did a post on my own blog comparing the 2 . The 1995 version is way better!
    here is the link to my post.

    http://perioddramagirl.blogspot.com/2011/12/blog-award-and-pride-and-prejudice.html


    Katie

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