British Prejudice to American Pride
British Prejudice to American Pride
By Amy Thomas
One of my all time favourite books is Jane Austin’s and I have to say that, in my opinion, the best screen version of it has to be the BBC’s 1995 production. We all know and love this classic story, and all us ladies wish to meet our very own Mr. Darcy. Then again, Mr. Darcy can be an insufferable man, who says hurtful and inconsiderate things, and yet we try so very hard to penetrate his outer shell to find the kind gentleman within.
It is with great pleasure I shareshare my favourite quotes and scenes from this classic tale, and point out which is the better Miss Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Yes, I am going to compare the BBC’s version, starring Colin Firth and Jennider Ehle, with the 2005 movie that starred Keira Knightley and Matthew McFadden which was, quite honestly, dreadful.
On the night that we meet Mr. Darcy for the first time, we get an insight into his personality - when asked his opinion of Miss Bennet his response is: “Barely tolerable, I dare say. But not handsome enough to tempt me. You'd better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles. You're wasting your time with me.” This scene may be short, but it’s important and Firth’s delivery of the line is perfect. However, McFadden comes across as weak and lacks the spirit necessary to the character.
In the next example, this scene and quote is utterly brilliant, filled with disdain and arrogance. This is not the best way to propose to a girl - “Miss Elizabeth. I have struggled in vain and I can bear it no longer. These past months have been a torment. I came to Rosings with the single object of seeing you... I had to see you. I have fought against my better judgment, my family's expectations, the inferiority of your birth by rank and circumstance. All these things I am willing to put aside and ask you to end my agony.”
He certainly deserves the following rebuke - “You're mistaken, Mr. Darcy. The mode of your declaration merely spared me any concern I might have felt in refusing you, had you behaved in a more gentleman-like manner. You could not have made me the offer of your hand in any possible way that would have tempted me to accept it. From the very beginning your manners impressed me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit and your selfish disdain for the feelings of others. I had not known you a month before I felt you were the last man in the world whom I could ever marry!”
Needless to say all turns out well. I was quite disappointed by the 2005 movie, it had great potential but lacked vastly in performance, wardrobe and seemed to miss the essence of the period completely. My two biggest problems with this production were the miscasting of Darcy and Bennet, and the strange sculpture museum at Pemberley.
The moral of this story is, when it comes to an authentic costume drama, no one does it better than the BBC.
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