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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: Universal Studios
Salesrank: 119
Released: February 28, 2006 |
| Our Price: $4.95 |
| Used Price: $4.70 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
One of the greatest love stories of all time, Pride & Prejudice, comes to the screen in a glorious new adaptation starring Keira Knightley. When Elizabeth Bennett (Knightley) meets the handsome Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen), she believes he is the last man on earth she could ever marry. But as their lives become intertwined in an unexpected adventure, she finds herself captivated by the very person she swore to loathe for all eternity. Based on the beloved masterpiece by Jane Austen, it is the classic tale of love and misunderstanding that sparkles with romance, wit and emotional force. Critics are calling it "Exhilarating. A joy from start to finish" (Carina Chocano, Los Angeles Times).
Description of Pride & Prejudice:
Literary adaptations just don't get any better than director Joe Wright's 2005 version of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. The key word here is adaptation, because Wright and gifted screenwriter Deborah Moggach have taken liberties with Austen's classic novel that purists may find objectionable, but in this exquisite film their artistic decisions are entirely justified and exceptionally well executed. It's a more rural England that we see here, circa 1790 (as opposed to Austen's early 19th century), in which Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley) is one of several sisters primed for marriage, with an anxious mother (Brenda Blethyn) only too desperate to see her daughters paired off with the finest, richest husbands available. Elizabeth is strong-willed and opinionated, but her head (not to mention her pride and prejudice) lead her heart astray when she meets the wealthy Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen), whose own sense of decency and discretion (not to mention his pride and prejudice) prevent him from expressing his mutual affection. They're clearly meant for each other, and as Knightley's performance lights up the screen (still young enough to be girlishly impertinent, yet wise beyond her 20 years), Austen's timeless romance yields yet another timeless adaptation, easily on par with the beloved BBC miniseries that has been embraced by millions since originally broadcast in 1995. Individual tastes will vary as to which version should be considered "definitive," but with a stellar supporting cast including Judi Dench and Donald Sutherland, this impeccable production achieves its own kind of perfection. --Jeff Shannon
Pride & Prejudice Reviews:
I Started Out Prejudiced... 
2008-10-12 - I was wary of watching this edition of "Pride and Prejudice" because I was absolutely convinced that it was going to be horrible, either because of the acting, or because it wouldn't stay true to the story as it is presented in the novel. But I definitely ate some humble pie after watching this film because it turned out to be absolutely wonderful, and did Jane Austen's novel adequate justice.
While the movie is not as detailed as the novel - or the original BBC series - due to time constraints, the creators of the movie did a good job of choosing the important points of the story to focus on. While you don't want the movie to end when it does, you can at least feel like you've been given a complete and well rounded story before placing the DVD back in its case.
The actors selected to portray such timeless literary characters were also well chosen; while I doubted Keira Knightley's ability to pull off the role of Elizabeth, I came away with a new respect for her acting ability after watching this film. The choice of Matthew MacFadyen as Mr. Darcy was also a good one; he played the brooding, but genuinely kind-hearted Mr. Darcy very convincingly. The online chemistry between Knightley and MacFadyen was also evident, enhancing the believability of Elizabeth and Darcy's romance when it was portrayed onscreen.
While the cinematography in this movie varied greatly from the original BBC series, it was for the better. Some of the most crucial moments in the book - when Darcy professes his feelings for Elizabeth, and the ending where they meet in the early morning - were beautifully filmed. For those who are not interested in romantic movies, but appreciate good cinematography, watch this movie for that reason alone; you will not be disappointed.
Though this film was wonderful, if you are comparing it to the book, or are a diehard fan of the original BBC series, you might come away disappointed. But for those who have never read the book, or ever seen the original BBC series, this is definitely a film that you need to add to your must-watch list.
Good movie; poor adaptation 
2008-10-08 - On the one hand, the music, the costumes, the hair, and the scenery are all very well done; and the movie does have a good fast pace to it. The designers showed great perception in having different levels of up-to-dateness and fashion among the various characters; the visuals are almost without fault, and the soundtrack is not bad at all.
On the other hand, Jane Austen should never seem fast-paced, even within the limitations of cutting a novel down to fit within 2 hours or so (there's a reason why there's a mystery series where the detective is Jane Austen herself) and there is also lacking in the movie a sense of Jane Austen's ineffable good humor. People are all to willing to tell their secrets, and constantly saying "Oh, didn't you know? . . ." and, for example, when Charlotte announces that she is to marry Mr. Collins, she exclaims, "Don't you dare judge me, Lizzie!" when there was no question of Elizabeth judging Charlotte in the book at all, only questioning her future happiness.
So you'll probably enjoy the movie more if you're not a Jane Austen fan to begin with than if you are.
Love this movie!!!
2008-10-08 - This is one of my favorite love stories. I can watch it over and over again and never get tired of it. Kiera does an amazing job too and has become one of my favorite actress to watch. She's got a great future ahead of her. I've seen other versions of Pride and Prejudice and I think this is the best hands down!
I'm totally in love..............................
2008-10-08 - I think I watched it ten times in a row; it's that kind of movie. What a fantastic job done by the director and stunning cinematography. The music is some of the best I've ever heard. The acting was incredible! The scenery was amazing! You get sucked right in and never want to leave. I didn't think they could pull off a two hour version but it was so wonderful. I do wish it had been 30 minuets longer so we could see more interaction between Elizabeth and Darcy. But this version gets the point across with such passion it makes you want to melt. I think the casting was great, I especially liked Rosamund Pike and Mathew Macfadyen. I'm not a big fan of Knightley, but it was great casting she did well and I liked her in it. I think Brenda Blethyn cast as the mother was a bit annoying but maybe that was their point. I don't understand why all the book nuts say it has to sick by the book word for word. This is such an entertaining film and I think Jane Austen her self would have really enjoyed it.
Pride & Prejudice
2008-10-01 - This is a great version of the well known story. The movie is enchanting and takes you to another world. Love to stick this movie in while working around the house.
