Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: VHS Tape EAN: 9780790754147 Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Original recording reissued, NTSC ISBN: 0790754142 Label: BBC Warner Manufacturer: BBC Warner Number Of Items: 2 Publisher: BBC Warner Release Date: July 07, 2000 Running Time: 226 minutes Sales Rank: 19123 Studio: BBC Warner Theatrical Release Date: 1985
Description: n the sitting rooms of 19th century England, romance is a complex game and a good marriage is the ultimate prize. This realistic production captures all the nuances of life among the English gentry, a society obsessed with profitable marriage contracts.
Amazon.com: In Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice, the arrival of a young, well-off, eligible man named Mr. Bingley sends the Bennet household--with five girls of a marrying age--into a tizzy. But it's the introduction of Mr. Bingley's friend, Mr. Darcy (played with an imperious scowl by David Rintoul), that sets in motion the fate of Elizabeth Bennet (the adorable Elizabeth Garvie), resolved only after a labyrinth of social and personal complexities. Austen's novels are miracles of skillful plotting, fusing a rich understanding of psychological motivation with whimsical turns of chance. This superb BBC adaptation from 1980 zips along, thanks to lively performances, fluid direction, and a keen grasp of the wit of Austen's dialogue (expertly translated to the screen by British novelist Fay Weldon) and her satirical characters, who range from clever and kind to utterly odious. Due to its faithfulness and deep appreciation of the material, this five-episode miniseries stands up against any other film or television adaptation (at least nine to date), though Rintoul may not sets hearts aflutter the way Colin Firth did in the also excellent 1995 miniseries. --Bret Fetzer
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - The Purist's Version
This version might be called The Purist's Version of P&P. I saw this when it originally aired on Masterpiece Theatre in 1980 and bought the video shortly thereafter. It is now worn out from repeated viewing, so I'm happy that the DVD is now available.
Essentially, I think this version (vs. the Colin Firth A&E version) adheres to the novel better and to the spirit of Jane Austen. While I enjoy that version and Mr. Firth, it includes scenes not in the novel, has a more modern sensibility and is more overtly romantic (though not as romantic as the 2005 version).
Rating: - Easily the best video presentation.
I'm not the first one to say this: Miss Garvie's presentation of Eliza Bennet ought to be considered canonical. I've been hoping for a DVD version for years now.
Rating: - #3
Well, love the book, but this adaptation is my least favorite after 2005 and 1995 (Colin Firth) versions. I am a strong believer in a great sexual attraction between Elizabeth and Darcy (after all, what else could have attracted a rich man to a poor girl in those days?). Didn't see any chemistry between them in this film. Darcy was so stiff, I couldn't find anything attractive about him, whereas I fantacise (A LOT!) about Colin Firth's and Matthew McFayden's Darcys. Elizabeth Bennett is nice enought, cute and witty, but appeared a litlle gold-diggerish in this version. Didn't like how Lydia's storyline ... Read More
Rating: - My favorite Pride & Prejudice
I originally watched this version on Masterpiece Theatre in the early 1980s and am so pleased that it is now available on DVD. Like most of the other reviewers, I have seen the 1995 A&E version, and while I can understand the appeal of 1995 version (quality of cinematography, sound, etc.), not to mention that A&E spiced it up in order to appeal to late 20th century viewers, I prefer the 1980 version. The 1980 version is truer to the book; I get a much better sense of the relationships (Austen's novels are all about relationships) the characters, not just Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, have with one another, ... Read More
Rating: - Close, But Still My Favorite
I first saw this version on Masterpiece Theater in the early 80's when I was in high school. I had not read the book yet at that time but I was quite captivated by Elizabeth Garvie's portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet. (My being a 16 year old boy also might have had something to do with it.) Unfortunately I missed the final episode so I had to get the book. I have lost count how many times I have read it since. It is by far my favorite book which is a little odd since I tend to read Sci-Fi and Fantasy books usually.
I bought the VHS set as soon as it was available for both the 1980 and 1995 productions ... Read More
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