This 19th century story of English society's landed gentry and the women folk remains one of the twenty-first century's most loved books. The enduring novel has several adaptations of which I've listed 4 below. I really enjoyed the first one because from the get-go you glimpse pride and prejudice though the real story is about Elizabeth's pride in her family. She is well aware of each member's weaknesses and of her own sense of honour and Darcy's prejudice when he sees how Mrs. Bennet and some of her daughters act in public.
The film opens with Darcy and Bingley riding to view Netherfield and Darcy cautioning Bingley that he'll find the society somewhat savage. But you'll have to read your text if you're studying Pride and Prejudice for an exam to truly understand how Ms Austen's text engages with the social and political issues of the day such as class relations, gender, the family, education, etc.
 |
| Pride and Prejudice (1995) |
1. Pride and Prejudice: This miniseries stars Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy and Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet. I found this the best version of "Pride and Prejudice" adaptations. The six hour long story broken down into hour-long episodes is the true to the book’s original story. In this adaptation Colin Firth is shown swimming in a lake in his early 19th century undergarments. (Not in the book btw)
It is rich in production values- costumes, music, choreography, and great locations. Firth's excellent portrayal of Mr. Darcy and Jennifer Ehle's take on Elizabeth Bennet are commendable however they were so perfect in their delivery, I got a feel of it telling a book not a story. Still this mini-series sets the standard by which all other adaptations are measured.
 |
| The Lizzie Bennet Diaries |
2. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries: an American web series adapted from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. The story is conveyed in the form of vlogs. It premiered on a dedicated YouTube channel on April 9, 2012 and subsequently concluded when the 100th episode was posted on March 28, 2013. It is set in today’s world and is clever and funny while still managing to stick to the plot. In 2013, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries became the first web series to win an Emmy, for Outstanding Creative Achievement In Interactive Media - Original Interactive Program.
 |
| Lost in Austen |
3. Lost in Austen: This clever four-part ITV miniseries follows the adventures of the contemporary heroine, Amanda Price, who steps through a door in her attic and into Longbourn in the midst of the Bennet family. While Amanda is wreaking havoc on the plot of Pride and Prejudice in the Regency period, Elizabeth Bennet stays in modern London and becomes a nanny. No matter how hard Amanda tries, she can’t keep the plot of the novel from spinning out of control. There are several nice meta-fictional touches, including Darcy getting his hands on Amanda’s copy of Pride and Prejudice. It deconstructs and reconstructs the plot of Austen’s novel, while staying true to the personality traits of her characters.
 |
| Bride and Prejudice |
4. Bride and Prejudice: For sheer fun it's hard to beat this Bollywood adaptation of Austen’s novel. The plot actually stays close to the original, despite the story’s being set in modern India. With Darcy as an American businessman who does not appreciate Indian culture and Lalita as one of four daughters of a doting Indian father, the clash of cultures mirrors the clash of class in Austen’s original. Best of all, the film boasts lavish, exuberant musical numbers. Whether in Regency gown or sari, you'll be kicking up your heels dancing in the aisles.
Enjoy the screen adaptations of Pride and Prejudice before we get into further discussion of this great work; literary style, techniques (conversations that reveal by what is said and unsaid), and what is it that we learn about respectability, the difficult problem of how and when to change inherited social and cultural institutions without undermining family and community.
No comments:
Post a Comment