Pride And Prejudice : Complete BBC Series - 10th Anniversary Edition [1995]

Featuring, as many swooning admirers will already know, Colin Firth in a career-topping performance as Mr Darcy, Pride and Prejudice is 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 Prejudice scores, 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 Prejudice remains 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

There's no need to replace your previous DVD with this Anniversary Edition.


An absolute classic. Fantastic!   June 30, 2006
CC (England)
82 out of 83 found this review helpful

This is an absolutely fantastic adaptation of a truly classic novel.
Jennifer Ehle as Lizzie is wonderful in her performance as the independant, intelligent Bennet sister who will not marry for anything less than love.
All the characters were brought to life in this adaptation and this is FAR superior to anything before or after it! Namely the very flashy, confusing version starring Keira Knightly. This, in my opinion was just an excuse to cash in on a very successful novel.
No one can match Mrs Bennet, Lizzie, Jane, the bungling Mr Bingley and his poe-faced sisters. And absolutely NO ONE can take the place of or replace Colin Firth as the proud heart stoppingly gorgeous Mr Darcy.
I have seen this series over a hundred times (no exaggeration) and have not tired of it and i know that i never will.
On a rainy Sunday afternoon and a sunny Wednesday afternoon alike, this series is always a welcome distraction to life and everything that comes with it.
A special mention must be made of Mr Collins. He is so totally cringe worthy it makes me laugh. The actor who played him did an award winning job of bringing the character to life.
THIS is the only version of Pride and Prejudice anyone should own.


Possibly the best thing ever to grace the small screen!   September 1, 2005
75 out of 90 found this review helpful

This has to be the best tv-drama ever! Not only does it feature Colin Firth in his defining role but the ensemble cast are amazing also. Its funny, romantic and just as the book is a page turner, you will probably sit and watch it all in on evening. I can't recommend this to enough people. I will be replacing my original dvd with this anniversary edition asap.
See this before the dreadful edited, shortened Kiera Knightley version hits the big screen. This, although not the original adaptation, is the best and most faithful to the book.
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SAME AS THE ORIGINAL DVD RELEASE   September 23, 2005
75 out of 80 found this review helpful

Unfortunately, this "anniversary edition" is exactly the same as the original DVD release; the only difference is, this one arrives in a cardboard sleeve. I was hoping it would be digitally remastered, as befits the best drama ever screened on television or cinema. However, I was once again disappointed by the sub-standard picture quality; the colours are flat and faded. This is a huge shame, especially when you consider the high production values at the time of filming. BBC, you should make more effort and provide us with a quality transfer to DVD.


A man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife   July 22, 2006
E. A Solinas (MD USA)
70 out of 74 found this review helpful

Of all the Jane Austen movies, the 1996 miniseries "Pride and Prejudice" is arguably the best and most detailed. While remaining faithful to the original comedy of manners, the story remains steadily-paced and exceptionally acted. It's sort of a thinking-girl's romance movie.

The Bennett family is in an uproar when wealthy Mr. Bingley (Crispin Bonham-Carter) moves into the neighborhood, and Mrs. Bennett is especially happy when he takes a liking to eldest Jane (Susannah Harker). But her forthright, independent sister Lizzie (Jennifer Ehle) immediately butts heads with wealthy, aloof Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth), who scorns the rural village.

A flurry of proposals, road trips and friendships arrive, with Lizzie fending off her slimy cousin Mr. Collins, and befriending the flirty, hunky Wickham (Adrian Lukis), who claims to have been wronged by Darcy. Lizzie believes Wickham's account -- and she's in for a shock when Darcy unexpectedly proposes, and reveals what Wickham won't tell her.

And finally things take a scandalous turn when Lizzie's idiotic younger sister Lydia (Julia Sawalha) elopes with Wickham! The family is plunged into disgrace, which also wrecks any chances of marriage for the other daughters. The only one who can set things right is Darcy, who will do whatever he must to make amends to Lizzie.

It's obvious from the very first scenes -- when Lizzie jokingly comments that "a man of good fortune MUST be in want of a wife" -- that this is an adaptation that was done with love. The subplots, characters and atmosphere of "Pride and Prejudice" are all here.

The plot unfolds slowly, one piece at a time, but with several subplots that tie together as the story progresses. For a miniseries, it's actually rather spare and lacking in filler. And the dialogue -- based on Austen's -- is wonderfully well-written ("Beauty is not the only virtue. She has just inherited a fortune of ten thousand pounds, I understand." "Now THAT is a definite virtue!")

The time period is recreated with loving detail, from the muddy roads to the sweeping mansions with elaborate grounds. Even the hairstyles are recreated. And the entire plot is steeped in the mores of 19th-century England, with the attitudes toward marriage, love, and propriety that bound everyone (especially women).

The casting of the leads is absolutely perfect for this movie: Ehle and Firth are nothing short of amazing. Both are witty, smart, and a bit snotty in their own ways. Firth's Darcy is a selfish man who gradually becomes warm and kind, while Ehle's Lizzie is strong, independent, and Darcy's equal in every way. And neither will marry for anything but true love.

They're also backed by an excellent supporting cast, with slimy clergy, screeching moms, sly seducers, sardonic fathers, innocent sisters and aristocratic old harpies adding colour to it all. Sawalha is especially good as the 19th-century Valley Girl, and Alison Steadman gives a grating but suitable performance as the whiny, marriage-obsessed Mrs. Bennett.

This edition has a bunch of extras for the rabid Austenite -- a "making of" book, documentaries about Austen and the miniseries itself, and interviews with the people responsible. It's a nicely-rounded addition that will take a look at how both the book and movies came to be.

"Pride and Prejudice" is the cream of the Austen crop, and an understatedly romantic movie as well. Definitely to be watched, again and again.