Colin Firth Movie:

		List Price: $49.95		Label: A&E HOME VIDEO Salesrank: 733 Released: April 14, 2009
		Our Price: $18.31
		Used Price: $19.95
		MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated) Media: Blu-ray

Editorial Review:
Jane Austen's classic is finally available on Blu-ray!

The timeless themes of love and marriage in Jane Austen's superb romantic comedy Pride and Prejudice have captured readers for generations--the novel has sold more than 20 million copies and has never been out of print. Now, A&E and the BBC have brought this beloved classic to life in a compelling production directed by Upstairs, Downstairs' Simon Langton. This stunning production captures all the celebrated beauty of the English countryside and its glorious, stately manors. It features lavish costumes and an exquisite soundtrack from noted composer Carl Davis.

Pride and Prejudice is the story of the lively and rebellious Elizabeth Bennet, one of five unmarried daughters living in the countryside of 19th-century England. In a world where obtaining an advantageous marriage is a woman's sole occupation, Elizabeth's independent manner threatens her family's future. Will her romantic sparring with the mysterious and arrogant Darcy end in misfortune--or will love's true nature prevail?

Blu-ray features brand new bonus materials including a fascinating short film about the technical restoration process.



Stills from Pride and Prejudice [Blu-ray] (Click for larger image)

Description of Pride and Prejudice [Blu-ray]:
Jane Austen's classic novel of 1813, Pride and Prejudice, still wins the hearts of countless schoolgirls with its romantic story of Elizabeth Bennet and her Mr. Darcy. Now, the 1996 BBC miniseries is winning over adults, with its faithful adaptation, gorgeous scenery, and superb acting.

The essence of the story is the antagonism between Mr. Darcy, a wealthy single man who believes Elizabeth to be beneath him, and Elizabeth, who upon being insulted at a dance by the aloof Darcy refuses to associate with him in any manner. Austen evokes incredible tension with the wit and flirtation of the two characters, and director Simon Langton (who also directed Upstairs Downstairs) successfully translates the repartee and conflict in this six-hour miniseries. Dialogue, for the most part, is painstakingly replicated, except when fleshing out and smoothing for modern sensibilities was necessary. Darcy, for instance, is drawn out, giving his personality significantly more depth. The acting sweeps you away to Regency England: Jennifer Ehle (of Wilde) is convincing as the obstinate Elizabeth, who, despite her mother's attempts to marry her off, spurs the attentions of Darcy. And Colin Firth (of The English Patient) will have women everywhere longing for a Mr. Darcy of their own.

For those who have been on an Austen binge--enjoying such excellent adaptations as Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion--this miniseries will round out the ultimate Austen video library. For those new to these romantic period pieces, this version of Pride and Prejudice will have you hooked and longing for more. One caveat, however: plan to watch it in an entire day, because very few have the self-control to not watch all six hours in a single sitting. --Jenny Brown

Pride and Prejudice [Blu-ray] Reviews:
Infectiously joyful: tears of joy!,
2009-12-01 -
Returning to this production 14 years after it first came out, one can only say: such a wonderful story of love humour and intrigue. For me, the greatest episode is the fourth one when Lizzy begins to realise that the pomposity of the outer DArcy does not convey the immense graciousness of the man. To see how love changes Darcy (i.e. overcoming the real pompositiy and pride) - he becomes humble, he melts before our eyes and his real greatness comes to the fore - all because of the extraordinary power of love to make the lover and loved one shine,sparkle and grow. This is a trully glorious production conveying, as all classics do, some of the great truths about human life. And then, of course, the sycophantic vicar: he too is wonderful but in a completely differnt way. Bravo!!!

The Full Story!
2009-11-30 - I love this adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. For the most part, the acting is very good. There are a few actresses whose performance were not good: Jane, Ms. Darcy, and Aunt Gardiner. Some may argue that the part of Mrs. Bennett was overplayed, but in comic characters like that, I don't relly mind. In this longer version, you get the full story. You get to know the characters, and you get to see the relationship between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth bloom.

Pride
2009-11-27 - An excellent rendering of the Jane Austen novel. Well done and very close to what the author, Ms. Austen, intended. Characters are well fleshed out to make this a lovely movie to watch and listen to.

Bluray version is spectacular
2009-11-27 - As everyone knows this is the definitive version of P&P but the DVD quality was shockingly bad with washed out colors. When I heard this was available but only as a UK import (at that time it had not yet been released in the US) I ordered it immediately because I could not wait. I was blown away by the restoration. Many parts of the film are virtually perfect (on the top of the line 52 inch Sony LCD Bravia and OPPO Bluray player). Colors and detail are magnificent and really add to your enjoyment of this classic masterpiece. To be frank, I would have paid $100 for this. The whole thing is not perfect, you can see grain in places but it does not distract too much or take away from your enjoyment of the presentation. The only weird part is that scene at the end when they walk on the dirt path and it goes all washed out and blurry but that is not the fault of the Bluray but rather an artistic choice by the director to make it look dreamy and romantic. I would buy this all over again if they could find the original tape and fix that few seconds.

Go buy this, it is one of the best productions of all time. Forget the latest pathetic Hollywood attempt to recapture this magic.

Outstanding
2009-11-25 - This is what I wanted to see the movie I love to watch ehanced to Blu-ray.

:>)