Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen's first, and perhaps most famous book, its first draft under the name "First Impressions" was rejected by publishers.  Just goes to show you, if at first you don't succedd, try try again, and you could become famous!

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a large fortune must be in want of a wife....yeah, Pride and Prejudice is one of my favourite novels ever!!!  The story touches on a million different character types: the sharp and witty Elizabeth, the proud and aloof Darcy, the sweet and gentle Jane, the happy and agreeable Bingley, the unjustly vain Mary, the more justly vain Caroline, Lydia the spoiled child, and Kitty the follower, Lady Catherine used to having her way, Georgiana innocent and gullible and romantic, Wickham a regular common cad, practical and sensible Charlotte, ridiculously shallow Mrs.Bennet, cynical and impatient Mr.Bennet, and everyone's favourite:  Mr.Collins the creep.  Not a bad creep overall, but a creep nonetheless.

The story of Pride and Prejudice is remarkable, if you think about it.  No matter who you are, there is something in it that reflects some mistake you've made.  But in the end, true love conquers all...or almost all, Darcy's bribe conquers Wickham afterall.  The story reminds us of our own faults, but also assures us that there is happiness out there for imperfect people who are learning to be better.

Pride and Prejudice has SO many adaptations!!!  In modern times, there has been a book published under the title of "pride and prejudice and zombies" - personally, I refuse to read it, but I know some fans who find it entertaining.  More impressive however, are the numerous film adaptations the novel has inspired:

1) Pride and Prejudice (1940) - the original black-and-white filmed version starring the beautiful Greer Garson, and Sir Lawrence Olivier.  This film is very condensed and perhaps not entirely accurate, as it is based on the stage play rather than the novel itself.  It is however, very very good.  The casting is excellent, and the jokes are really smirkingly-funny.  Interested in checking it out?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB1eiXMVTJc

2)Pride and Prejudice (1979) - this may be regarded as the original movie, as it is BBC's first adaptation of the novel itself.  It's a long movie, and to the modern viewer the acting may seem staged and the camera static, but when you consider that such was the style at the time, it is actually not half-bad.  Of all the P&P adaptations, this has THE MOST accurate costumes for the Regency period.  This is a clip where Darcy and Bingley return to Meryton, and although not the best clip in terms of acting, it is a good example of accurate dress: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFAepxCBYhM&feature=related

3) Pride and Prejudice (1995) - My Favourite Version!!!! Starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth.  The movie is long enough to touch on all subjects of the book without leaving out characters or condensing their stories, the settings are perfect, the acting is good, and the costumes are excellent.  And Mrs. Bennet is HILARIOUS. One of my favourite scenes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GHm4MK6F1Y&feature=related

4) Pride and Prejudice (2005) - an amazingly fun and artistic version of the story, starring Keira Knightly and Matthew McFadgen (i spelled that wrong).  The best soundtrack of any version by far, and stellar acting on all accounts.  If you don't have the time to watch the 1995 version, this is the next best thing.  Honourable mention goes to Tom Hollander, who played a brilliant Mr.Collins!!!  This is a music vid someone made dedicated to his character - the beginning of this vid is side-splittingly funny, and although the middle drags, the ending is worth holding in for!!!  Here is Mr. Collins, "Bringing Sexy Back": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYtJCY4Epco

5) Pride and Prejudice 2003 (2003) - this is a modernized version of the story, and I believe-although i could be wrong-that is might be a Mormon production??  While the story is modernized a bit clumsily, the budget is low, and the acting is a bit shoddy, I have to admit that it has its moments.  And those moments make me laugh.  If you're willing to go through some pain to discover those moments, this is a clip with one of the better scenes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Eb3eWvzA5A  that is from 1:08 to when she leaves the restaurant.  Note: her inferior financial/social situation shown by the old unreliable bug, and how she cuts someone off while driving showing she isn't perfect; the restaurant is called "Rosings" as is seen on the menu cover, and the seating host's unwelcomiing demeour, while poorly scripted, serves to remind us of Lady Catherine's condecension.

6) Lost in Austen - a recent British series, where a young modern British woman accidentally falls into her favourite novel - Pride and Prejudice, and in trying to get home, ends up messing up the whole story.  Personally I think this whole series would have Jane Austen turning in her grave, but it must be said the story has originality going for it, and things are not always as they seem.  Here is a clip from episode three, where it ought to be watched from 1:15 onwards - Amanda is thrown out of the Bennet house, and wearing her London cloths, meets up with Wickham.  Wickham, though perhaps not entirely respectable, is not at all as bad as in the novel, and here he gives Amanda some amusing tips on Regency Feminine Decorum and Poise. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktKZDsVgrmw

Well there you have it folks!  One of the greatest novels of the English language, and one of the greatest love stories of all time.