Stars: Keira Knightley, Matthew MacFadyen, Brenda Blethyn, Donald Sutherland, Tom Hollander, Rosamund Pike, Jena Malone, Judi Dench, Claudie Blakley

Director: Joe Wright

Summary: This version of Jane Austen's fiercely beloved novel has the daunting task of living up not only to the classic book, but also to the excellent 1995 miniseries of the same name. Yet 2005's PRIDE & PREJUDICE is up to the task, thanks to lively pacing, a witty script, an excellent cast, and clever direction from British newcomer Joe Wright. The surprisingly still-relevant story follows the five Bennet sisters as they deal with suitors and love, as their mother desperately schemes to marry them off advantageously. Sweet-tempered beauty Jane (Rosamund Pike) develops feelings for the equally amiable and extremely wealthy Mr. Bingley (Simon Woods), but forces conspire to keep them apart while Lizzie (Keira Knightley) finds herself first appalled by, but gradually drawn to, Bingley's aloof, intelligent, and socially awkward friend, Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFayden). The movie, at just over two hours, is forced to cut and condense a number of the book's subplots, and at times it tries to heighten the drama of certain scenes. But, for the most part, it's as faithful to the spirit of the original as time and cinematic convention allow. The tremendous supporting cast includes Brenda Blethyn as Mrs. Bennet and Donald Sutherland as her wry, withdrawn husband; Jena Malone as teenage twit Lydia; Judi Dench, effortlessly haughty and imperious, as Lady Catherine de Bourg; and Tom Hollander, who steals every scene he's in as the ludicrously pompous and awkward Mr. Collins. The movie's script, adapted by Deborah Moggach, manages to be proto-feminist without becoming anachronistic and, like the novel, it is incisive about the class politics and gender inequalities of the day.

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In spite of the quality of the more recent Keira Knightley-starring big-screen interpretation, it's the mid-90s BBC mini-series of Pride and Prejudicethat's still regarding by many as the definitive telling of Jane Austen's classic.

Featuring, as many swooning admirers will already know, Colin Firth in a career-topping performance as Mr Darcy, Pride and Prejudiceis the timeless tale of seemingly impossible romance. On one hand, there's the wealthy, single Mr Darcy, and on the other is Elizabeth, a woman Darcy believes is beneath him. Across six sumptuous hours of this classic mini-series, their story then slowly bubbles, aided by some excellent supporting performances. Nods must go to the likes of Jennifer Ehle, Susannah Harker, Anna Chancellor and Julia Sawalha, to highlight but a handful.

It's not just in front of the camera where Pride and Prejudicescores, though. The production values are absolutely outstanding, with this really a watermark for BBC costume drama production. Add in Simon Langton's diligent direction, and this is one of those rare occasions where everything seemingly effortlessly falls into place, with outstanding end results.

Over ten years since it was first broadcast, the particular take on Pride and Prejudiceremains as vital, moving and compelling as it was first time round. And if it's ever topped, it's going to take something really, really special to do it… --Jon Foster

Aspect Ratio:	2.35 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	The Politics Of Dating, The Stately Homes Of Bride And Prejudice, The Bennetts, The Life And Times Of Jane Austen, On Set Diaries, Audio Commentary With Director Joe Wright, Galleries Of The 19th Century, Pride And Prejudice Family Tree, Alternate Us Ending
Subtitles:	Arabic, Bulgarian, Croatian, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Hebrew, Icelandic, Norwegian, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovenian, Swedish, Turkish
Year:	2005
Release Date:	February 6, 2006
Runtime:	121 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	824 109 1
Keywords:	Pride, Classic, Book, Comedy, General, Prejudice, Romantic, Drama, Period, Based
Genre:	Drama