Pride and Prejudice Comparisons Part 4

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 4

Scenery

1995
 

The locations are great. My favourite place would have to be the Peak district - its so pretty! The places they chose are beautiful and the views are great! I also like the scenery around Rosings and the parsonage, where she runs into Darcy and where he gives her the letter. My favourite house would be Pemberley - beautiful! The first time Lizzy, and we, see Pemberley, it looks stunning! The lake so perfectly situated! I also love Longbourne in this adaptation and Rosings was very impressive, especially on the outside. I like the scenes showing Darcy striding though London searching for Lydia and Wickham; the scenery of old London seemed well thought through.

2005

I LOVE all the scenery and locations in this one! Firstly houses, Pemberley is gorgeous... enough said. I love Netherfield, the outside is lovely (and I live 20 minutes away from the house which ‘played’ it so it will always be special to me ;) ) Also, Longboune was great, the opening shot of it made it seem like a really friendly house. Now for scenery. I love the setting of the opening shot with Lizzy reading her book at dawn, such a beautiful scene. Also, the setting of the first proposal, if a little different to the book, was great, and in the rain too! I love how the film is like a loop, finishing a starting in a similar setting at dawn. The misty morning at the beginning is just like it is for the second proposal. Also, the scenes around the Peaks were stunning!

Preference
 

This is easy for me – 2005! The countless shots they take, all stunning, along with the beautiful houses make this a clear winner. Others moments I like, other than the ones I have already mentioned, would be the walk Lizzy takes from Longbourne to Netherfield when Jane is ill and also the scene with Lizzy on the swing as the seasons are changing – so well done! I think the only things I would change would be to substitute Pemberley and Rosings from the 1995 version. Pemberley is gorgeous, fullstop! And Rosings is more grand and pretentious, making it better to reflect the character of Lady Catherine!

Costumes

1995

The costumes are wonderful in this version, and very regency! All the dresses are great, except the Bingley sister’s ones, which are meant to be over the top! I love in particular Lizzy’s wardrobe; her dresses are great! I also think the men’s wardrobes are great. My favourite dress of Lizzy’s would have to be the one she wears to the Netherfield Ball and my favourite outfit of Darcy’s would be (discounting the wet shirt ;)) the lovely green and beige number he wears at Pemberley, after running into Lizzy. I think the hair styles in this version are very regency as well as very pretty (Lizzy’s hairstyle at the Netherfield Ball in particular.)

2005

The costumes are also quite regency I think. I prefer Jane’s wardrobe in this one, as Lizzy’s is a little bland. Other than that, the costumes are fine and some of them quite pretty. My favourite gown would be one of Jane’s, the one she wears at the end, during the proposal. My favourite male outfit would be Mr Darcy’s when he returned to Longbourne with Bingley; I like the stripped jacket. The hair styles in this version are not that regency I don’t think. Wickham’s pony-tail style as well as Lydia and Kitty hair being down most of the time, even though they were out, is not very regency.

Preference

I prefer the 1995. The dresses are more interesting but still regency, and I think the men’s outfits were also better. Also, the hair styles were more regency and also very pretty. I like some of the dresses and outfits in the 2005, but I prefer and I think the costumes and hair styles are nicer, and more accurate to the period in the 1995 version.

Music

1995

Courtesy of Miss Laurie

The music is delightful to listen to in the series, and every time I hear the opening credits it puts a smile on my face (and it is fun to play on the piano)! :) Because it is a series, you begin to recognise the music as it appears in different forms throughout the series, as it is associated with characters or moods, which is nice to have the consistency. I love the music associated with Rosings and Lady Catherine, very grand. And also the music associated with Darcy and Lizzy is lovely.

2005

Ditto

The music in this film is absolutely beautiful, and wonderful to play on the piano! One of my favourites is the opening piece, ‘Dawn’, as it is really pretty and contributes to making it a wonderful opening! The music throughout is very pretty and really helps to convey emotions and add new dimensions to the scenes. Another favourite of mine would be ‘The Secret Life Of Daydreams’ and also the song which Darcy and Lizzy dance to at the Netherfield Ball.

Preference

I prefer the music in the 2005 version as I think it is prettier, and it is more enjoyable to listen to when not watching the film, so as a soundtrack, as a lot of it is really relaxing. The music in the 1995 version is also great, with the themes running throughout the series. This was a hard choice, and probably I think I like the accompanying music from the 1995 version when watching the film, but otherwise, when listening to the soundtrack, without the film, I like the 2005 music.

Accuracy To The Book

1995

So accurate! When I had read the book, and watched the series again I realised how very accurate is was, maybe omitting (or merging) about 4 scenes, and the ending chapters were not all included. I love having it so accurate as therefore, so much of the book is brought to life, and you aren’t left to form many scenes in your head. I also loved the length (which is why it is so accurate), as it really allows you to get to know the characters. The language too was very accurate to the novel!

2005

I suppose really I should say, not very accurate, but I think, given the length of the film, it was pretty accurate, or at least, it included all the important parts, and although it was fast moving, it wasn’t one of those versions where the story is barely recognisable! All the important scenes were included, and the language used was mostly accurate. It is a shame it couldn’t have been longer, and I think the characters that were omitted which I would have liked would be Maria Lucas and Mr and Mrs Hurst. I think there was space for Mr and Mrs Hurst as they are in the same scenes as Miss Bingley and don’t need anything extra, but I think leaving out Maria was a wise move.

Preference

Well, it has got to be the 1995 as it left, literally, nothing out! I loved having, pretty much, the entire story brought to life on screen! I think the film did well for the time it had, but the 1995 used the time well, including so much of the novel, practically all of it!

Overall

1995

I absolutely love this series! It is one of my favourite Austen adaptations, and always will be! The length, meaning the accuracy to the novel, the costumes, music and locations are wonderful, not to mention the wonderful actors, in particular Firth and Ehle, and also the secondary characters. I love the development of Darcy and Lizzy’s relationship throughout too. A wonderfully satisfying series, with a very satisfying ending! Great when you have a day to spare! I LOVE IT!

2005

This is also one of my all time favourites, and always will be, and it will always have a special place in my heart as it was my first Austen I ever saw or read! The music and settings are beautiful, and the dramatic tension, and generally the connection between Darcy and Lizzy is really strong, and both Macfadyen and Knightley performed their parts very well! This is such a wonderful film, especially given the time constraints, and a perfect film for a lovely night in. I LOVE IT!

Preference

 

Like I said with Darcy, don’t make me choose! I think I have given preference to 1995 more, but it was pretty close! But, I can’t and won’t choose. I think they are so different, mainly in length, which means it is hard to compare them, even though that is what I have done for these last 4 posts... ;) If I have a day to spare, I watch the series, but just a few hours to spare, or an evening in, I watch the film. I find if I watch the film, I think that is my favourite, but then I watch the series and I am back to square one, or vice versa! Both are enjoyable to watch, and I would not rather watch one more than the other! So, I cannot pick, which will make me seem indecisive, I am sure!

 

I hope you have enjoyed these posts as much as I did writing them (and thanks to Miss Woodhouse for asking me in the first place!) and I would appreciate the feedback and whether anyone would like another one for 2 other Jane Austen adaptations (I am open to suggestions :) )

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

 

Your affectionate friend,