Pride and Prejudice Comparisons Part 3

Recently I participated in a four-part comparison of the Pride and Prejudice adaptations made in 1995 and 2005, thanks to the lovely Miss Woodhouse of 'Elinor, Elizabeth and Emma'. (http://elinorandemma.blogspot.ca/) The lovely pictures are also courtesy of Miss Woodhouse.

And anyone who does not agree with me, I am up for a comment war! ;)

Part 3

Jane and Bingley's Romance

1995

 

I think they are a really cute couple in this version. You can see how much they like each other when they first meet each other and you can see how quickly their relationship develops. I also think that when we see them apart from each other, they seem to really miss one and other, with Bingley asking about her family and ALL her sisters, and Jane trying to persuade Lizzy that she is over him, but she isn't! I love the ending; Jane seems so very happy after the proposal, as does Bingley! And I adore the end scene at the wedding, when they seem so happy! I can imagine them being really happy together in the future!

2005

I love the first meeting! Bingley seems so nervous! It is really sweet! And when they first dance and he almost forgets what he is doing, bless! I think it is also sweet at the Netherfield Ball when he is following her around, talking to her as much as possible! And he is really sweet at the end! They both seem so very happy! I also love the scene when Jane is ill, and Bingley seems pleased! Unfortunately, I think Jane seems a little old for him, or perhaps he seems a little immature at times. But, generally, I love how the relationship develops and it would be nice to have been able to see them more in the film. (If you haven't picked this up by now, I think the film should have been longer!)

Preference

I think I like the relationship between them in the 1995 one. Mainly, I think, as Bingley seems besotted with Jane but not silly about it, and also because we get to see them more and they are really sweet together! I love the endings for them both, but I think I do prefer the 2005 ending, with Bingley on one knee, as it should be! But, in the 1995 the scenes we see after Bingley has gone away and seeing how each are dealing with it are really sweet. This was a tough call, and I like the clichéd ‘love at first sight’ actually working out, for once and yet not seeming silly!

Darcy's Relationship With Georgiana

1995

I think the relationship in this version is more like it is described in the book with Georgiana seeing Darcy almost as a father because of the large age gap. The clip explaining what Wickham’s dealings with Georgiana have been is sweet, and when she runs to him for support shows their love for each other. I also like the part when she asks her brother if she can ask Lizzy to dinner at Pemberley, it shows how she respects him. I also think that at the scene at Pemberley, we can see how Darcy wishes them to get on well. It is funny when Georgiana is telling Lizzy about how he is a wonderful elder brother and then they look at Darcy, and he looks back, confused, but also pleased that they are getting on so well!

2005

I think in this version they seem more like a brother and sister. I adore the part when Darcy first returns to Pemberley and interrupts her piano playing, and she is so pleased that he has returned! I also find that they seem more at ease with each, for example the conversation when Lizzy first meets Georgiana is really funny and they seem so easy with each other, and I love the look Georgiana gives Darcy when trying to persuade him to ask Lizzy to stay! I also love, just before this scene, the part when Darcy is listening to his sister playing the piano, and he looks so proud of her!

Preference

Even though the relationship in the 2005 version may not be quite as it is in the novel, I prefer the closeness and how it seems, to me, a more brother and sister relationship as you would expect it. They are really sweet together and seem less formal with each other than they do in the 1995. I like them in both versions, but I prefer the 2005 because of their easiness and closeness.

The Dance!

1995

This dance is no doubt closer to the book, and it includes most of the dialogue, which is always great! I love how the two of them act towards each other. Lizzy is so very teasing! But Darcy realises what she is about and is quite witty in his responses! I think the part when they are stopped by Sir William is great as, as well as being how it happens in the novel, it brings Bingley and Jane’s attachment to Darcy’s attention, which of course is important. I love Lizzy’s facial expressions throughout, and how unsubtle she is in her questioning of Darcy, and how she can’t refrain from mentioning her new acquaintance! And the way Darcy responds to her is also great! I think Firth and Ehle are just great together and do this scene wonderfully!

2005

The dialogue which is included in the dance in this version is quite accurate, but they have to shorten the dance, which is a shame. But, they make this scene very dramatic! I think Macfadyen does the scene wonderfully! I love his nervousness, as I think he would be nervous as he isn’t a keen dancer! I also think, similarly to the 1995 version, the relationship between them is great, especially on Lizzy’s side; her teasing is so funny! And she seems to be enjoying it! It is very dramatic when they just stop in the middle of the dance, because of Lizzy mentioning Wickham (bad idea to mention him!), and then afterwards everyone else just disappears! I think it really reflects how they would be feeling. I don’t think either of them would be thinking about anything other than what had just passed between them, so for everyone to disappear actually works I feel.

Preference

This is hard. Overall, I think I prefer the 1995 dance. Firstly, I like how Darcy banters back quite wittily to Lizzy, and secondly, the moment when Sir William interrupts is included, which I think is a really important moment. I do like the intenseness of the 2005 one, and I also like Lizzy’s reaction to accepting Darcy in the first place ('Did I just agree to dance with Mr Darcy?' 'I dare say you will find him very amiable Lizzy.' 'It would be most inconvenient since I have sworn to loath him for all entireity' haha ;) )! But, in the 1995, this is funny as well as she is trying to find a reason to say no, but really can’t! So, I think accuracy and content wins here, even though this is not always the case!

Mr Collins' Proposal

Miss Woodhouse forgot to make a Mr Collins' proposal banner so I'm just re-using the Mr Collins one

 

1995

The proposal was very comical in this version, and Mr Collins was very dislikable as well. The way he was acting towards Lizzy, walking around listing of his reasons made his seem really slimy! I also love how Lizzy just walks out on him while he is still speaking, but she has had enough by that time! Very funny, and I don’t find myself pitying him in the slightest! I also love Mrs Bennet’s way of clearing the room, very subtle!

2005

Also extremely funny in this one, but I also feel a little sorry for him. I love how they go into this proposal, with the drawing room clearing, and Lizzy trying to beg people to stay, poor girl! I also love that Collins gives her that little flower he was holding at the ball the night before. It is funny when he goes down on one knee, and you can see how much Lizzy wants to get away, and also laugh! I also love the ending, when the door bursts open with the young Bennets laughing their heads off!

Preference

Overall, I think I prefer the 1995 proposal because you are not put in a position to pity him as much as you are in the 2005 one. Both are funny, as are the reactions from the other characters, but I think because of the performance of Collins, making him easy to dislike, 1995 wins, but it was a close call!

Darcy's First Proposal

1995

This one is very true to the book with the setting and the dialogue. I love Firth’s performance at the beginning when he is pacing the room, not knowing where to begin! I also love how the tension builds between them through the scene, with Lizzy starting sitting down, and then as it goes on, standing up, as she is getting more and more angry! The performances are great by both, and I find myself really starting to pity Darcy because Lizzy is so harsh in her refusal, which was done very well by Ehle. The end is also sweet, with Darcy wishing the best for her health and happiness and walking out, and the Lizzy, overcome by emotions, does not know what to do, or what to make of it all!

2005

I love this proposal! It is so romantic. I know that it is not true to the book in setting, but in words it is pretty close! I think Macfadyen performed wonderfully. You could really see the pain on his face, and his facial expression throughout were wonderful! Knightley performed very well to, in her reaction to this surprising proposal! I love the chemistry between these two, and how angry they both get, especially at the mention of Wickham! I think the setting in the rain and the thunderstorm really helps the scene, making it very dramatic, romantic and also, quite sad! I really feel for Darcy at the end of this proposal, and Lizzy seems very overcome as well as she falls back onto the pillar. This scene compared to the next when she receives the letter is a good contrast, and helps to keep up the tension.

Preference

This is a really hard choice, but I think I have to give it to the 2005 proposal, as I am a sucker for romance! The tension and connection between them is great, and really strong, and, though not strictly Austen, I love the setting in the rain. I love the other proposal as well, and it is very dramatic as well (and the ending is perfect) but thinking of the performances, setting and dialogue, overall, I love the 2005 proposal, but again, it was a very hard call!

Darcy's Second Proposal

1995

This was a lovely scene. Very true to the book but I think it needed to be made a bigger deal of in the series, as, although romantic and a wonderful ending, I think it should have been more dramatic. Saying that, I still loved it! I loved both their awkwardness at the beginning of the scene, and then the happiness which overspread them both by the end.

2005

Such a romantic scene! Yes, again, not very Regency, but still wonderful! The setting is very sweet and I love the loop of having the film start at dawn, and end at dawn. Who wouldn’t want a handsome man walking towards you, coat flying in the wind, to speak the words he says to Lizzy?! Well, I wouldn't say no! The speech he makes is breathtaking and it goes to show that a scene can be extremely romantic, without the need for a kiss!

Preference

Easily the 2005 version. Love them both but I think the setting is beautiful and it is just a lovely end to the film, and very romantic. I love the chemistry between them, and it is just a gorgeous scene! The wording is lovely and I think the expressions and emotions displayed by each are so touching and it all contributes to making it one of the most romantic scenes I have seen!

Ending

1995

This is such a perfect ending for this wonderful series! I love the double wedding – Jane and Lizzy being very close sisters, and Darcy and Bingley being great friends. I think the way they show each of the characters in turn during the wedding is very clever, and quite similar to the final chapter of the book when we are told all the reactions of each character. Love the scene afterwards when they are departing in their carriages, (my theory is that each horse represents £2,500 as Bingley’s carriage has 2 and Darcy’s has 4! ;) ) Jane and Bingley look very happy, and Darcy and Lizzy look extremely pleased and also the look on Darcy’s face seems as though he is thinking ‘finally'! And a lovely end to a stunning series, with a very appropriate kiss!

2005

Well, I don’t know which end I should take as in England, the film ends when Lizzy runs out of her father’s room after receiving consent to marry Darcy, and the ending with them at Pemberley is on the bonus features as an ‘alternate US ending’. I like the ending at Pemberley and why wouldn’t they behave like that when at home alone? But, I know some think maybe it went a little too far, which I understand. But the English ending, for me, didn’t go far enough, and I think Darcy needs to be in the final shot of the film. I would have liked something in between the two endings, as a kiss is lovely, but maybe not that many! But, the ending, whichever one you consider the ending, is still a good way to finish  an amazing film.

Preference

I think it would be the 1995 ending, as I think it just a perfect way to finish the series. The emotions shown by each are really strong and they seem genuinely happy and you can imagine them going off to live at Pemberley very happily, and it is lovely to see Jane and Bingley seeming equally happy and content with how it has all turned out and I find it to be a very satisfying ending, without the feeling of wanting something more, which is always a good way for a film or series to end.

 

Part 1

Part 2

Part 4 



 

Your affectionate friend,