Pride And Prejudice — BBC TV series review (1980) | |
Starring David Rintoul as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Garvie as Elizabeth “Lizzy” Bennet, this is the five episode (4-1/2 hour) BBC version which can be purchased on DVD. Because I enjoyed my recent viewing of the 1940 version, I went looking for this version to add it to my watchlist for viewing and / or potential purchase. Lo and behold, this version is currently (as of June 2023) available as a playlist on YouTube for free. Although the YouTube playlist version is patchy – 60-plus mostly 3-to-5 minute videos – the transitions between episodes are fairly smooth. Most only re-show the final few second or two of the previous video before continuing afresh. While “smooth”, I was left with the feeling I’d not seen the entire series because, in a number of the videos, there was a near simultaneous change in scene. My reaction was: “I think they’ve edited something out or put the episodes in the playlist in the wrong order.” (So much for my comments of the playlist editing.) | |
The story is essentially: small village with landowner family of five female daughters is thrown in a tizzy over the arrival of a very “suitable” bachelor. Even better, the bachelor comes with a friend, who is also a very suitable bachelor (Darcy). Lizzy takes an immediate dislike to Mr. Darcy while the oldest sister (Jane) falls madly in love with the first bachelor (Mr. Bingly). Blah, blah, blah, happy ending. The book – and its movie adaptations – is supposed to be a romantic-comedy / drama. Like the book, this adaptation is more romantic than comedic. There are no “ha-ha” laugh scenes, at all. It’s mostly sarcasm in the dialogue which is, to me, amusing, but not “funny”. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this version of P&P in terms of casting and adherence to the original book. I am a big fan of this book (subject material) and, because I’m so familiar with the story, I’m always looking forward to my favorite parts being portrayed in / with varying interpretations. As mentioned in my 1940 version review from earlier this week (ok, it was yesterday), I read the original novel (and reviewed it) by Jane Austen back in 2018. | |
Both Garvie and Rintoul are very good in their lead roles individually, and, to me, demonstrated just enough chemistry to make the story believable, while not trying to bring our current societal standards to the 19th century (the book was published in 1813 AD) where they would have been inappropriate. Rintoul’s portrayal differs from Olivier’s by playing the role of an English landed-lord with a graceful gentlemanliness, which came across (to me) as effeminate by when done by Olivier. This portrayal is much closer to the “no grace at all, stiff but manly-man” portrayal of Matthew Macfadyen in the 2005 movie which introduced me to P&P. A third main point and definite positive for me was the return to character (vis-à-vis the 1940 version) of Darcy’s aunt who refuses to accept the marriage of Darcy to Lizzy for reasons of societal class difference and because the aunt believes Darcy to be “given / promised” to her own daughter since childhood. The aunt appears as the haughty unredeemable character, which I believe she was meant to be in the original book. | |
Final recommendation: Strong to very strong. This is a very arguably the best interpretation of the book I’ve seen to date. Rintoul is more manly than Olivier yet still more proud / refined than Macfadyen. Garvie is not as photogenic as Keira Knightley (2005), but far more so than Greer (1940) or Jennifer Ehle (1995). Two more thoughts which are probably only of significance to me: the costumes (women’ dresses) are far better (more appropriate) than the 1940’s verson. They don’t appear “US civil war era” Southern Bell, like the 1940 movie, but nor do they appear as simple / sturdy as the 2005 movie. The 1940’s version runs 112 minutes (1 hr 52 min), this 1990 version runs at 265 minutes (4-1/2 hrs), the 1995 runs at 506 minutes (8hrs 26 min) and the 2005 version runs at 129 minutes (2hrs 9min). Should the run length / duration matter? I would hope the quality of each version would make them comparable, but, on reflection, it’s probably not so and I am actually comparing apples to oranges. And, finally, I still think I need to sit down and binge these and some of the other versions (“Bride” and “Zombies”), not to do more head-to-head comparison reviews, just to enjoy them again. I will almost certainly purchase this version if it ever comes close to my price point and if it is available in a standard US viewing format. | |
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On This Day In: | |
2023 | 15 Speeds With Big Knobby Tires |
And Still More Pride (1980) | |
2022 | Taking The Chance To Improvise |
2021 | A Bit Like Politics |
How About Tonight? (I’d Really Like To See You Tonight) | |
2020 | Independent Isolation |
2019 | This Pilgrim Has Had A (Mostly) Happy Road |
2018 | And Men, Too |
2017 | Damned If You Do |
2016 | A Storm Over The Horizon |
2015 | What About Today? |
2014 | Idiot, n. |
2013 | Temporary Reality |
2012 | The Great Objective |
2011 | Read A Book |
Posts Tagged ‘Mr. Bingly’
And Still More Pride (1980)
Posted in Movie Review, Movies, Reviews, Series (TV or Streaming) Review, tagged BBC, David Rintoul, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bennet, Elizabeth "Lizzy" Bennet, Elizabeth Garvie, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Jane Austen, Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Mr. Bingly, P&P, Pride & Prejudice 1980 BBC series review, Strong Movie / TV Series Recommendation, YouTube on June 7, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Austen Stalking
Posted in Movie Review, Movies, Reviews, tagged Alex Kingston, Alien, Amanda Price, Austenland -- movie review, Bret McKenzie, Charles Dance, Downton Abbey, Elizabeth "Lizzy" Bennet, Elliot Cowan, Gemma Arterton, Georgia King, GOT, Henry Nobley, Hugh Bonneville, ITV, J.J. Feild, Jack Huston, Jane Austen, Jane Bennet, Jane Seymour, Jaws, Jemima Rooper, Jennifer Coolidge, Keri Russell, Lady Amelia Heartwright, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Lena Headey, Lily James, Lost in Austen -- movie review, Matt Smith, Michelle Pfeiffer, Miss Elizabeth Charming, Moderate Movie Recommendation, Moderate To Strong Movie Recommendation, Morven Christie, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Bingly, Mr. Collins, Mr. Darcy, Mr. Wickham, Mrs Wattlesbrook, Mrs. Bennet, P&P, Predator, Pride & Prejudice, Pride & Prejudice & Zombies -- movie review, Psycho, Sam Riley, Strong Movie Recommendation, The Birds, The Immitation Game, Tom Hiddleston, Tom Mison, Wolfman on June 24, 2019| Leave a Comment »
Continuing in my pursuit of viewing all things “Pride & Prejudice“, I offer two more tangential movie reviews: “Pride & Prejudice & Zombies” and “Austenland” and a third made for TV series: “Lost in Austen“. The reviews are in the order I watched them, not in preference or year of release. Because this post covers three “films”, it will be considerably longer than normal. Feel free to skip it and come back another time if you’re not “into” P&P. | |
“Lost in Austen” (2008) – TV Series 4 part on YouTube | |
This is a four part TV mini-series for a privately owned (not-BBC) channel in England called ITV. The movie is a rom-com adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Pride & Prejudice” book, but is really kind of a “Back to the Future” (back to reality?) feel. Basically, the lead (Amanda Price, played by Jemima Rooper) is so in love with the book, she stumbles into it through a portal in her bathroom. She retains all of her knowledge of the book and Elizabeth Bennet (played by Gemma Arterton) “replaces” her in our time. Basically, what happens in a romance story if you know all the story but as soon as you join the story, the story is irrevocably altered. Mostly, comedy (and romance) ensues. | |
The rest of the main characters are: Elliot Cowan as Fitzwilliam Darcy, Tom Mison as Mr Bingley, Morven Christie as Jane Bennet, Tom Riley as George Wickham, Hugh Bonneville as Mr. Claude Bennet, and Alex Kingston as Mrs. Bennet. | |
Once you know the premise, the TV-series is 70-80% predictable. Given that, I still enjoyed it. Rooper is not brilliant, but she carries the load and does it more than adequately. Cowan is not “my” idea of Mr. Darcy, but he’s not bad. Strike that. He is better than most. He is stern and formal without being Hollywood handsome. And then he comes out of the pond… LoL! Adequate is true with the rest of the cast with the exception of Bonneville. For whatever reason (mostly “Downton Abbey“, I think), I really like him as an actor and I thought he is very good as Mr. Bennet adding depth which is not always in some of the other portrayals in other versions of P&P. | |
The series uses the characters from P&P and kind-of follows the novel’s plot, but has (and ends with) significant variance. Final recommendation: strong. If you are a “P&P” fan, I think you’ll enjoy this series as an addition / alternate universe to Austen’s P&P. If not, it is at least tolerable as rom-coms go. I found it better than “tolerable”, but that may just be my taste. If you are not a “P&P” or rom-com fan, why are you even bothering to read this review? (Just kidding…) | |
I watched this on YouTube for free and I would definitely consider buying it if it ever came out in my price range ($5). Each episode is about 40-45 minutes, so you are looking at almost three hours of viewing commitment. | |
“Pride & Prejudice & Zombies” (2016) | |
I know that “everything” goes better with Zombies these days, but I really didn’t know what to expect before viewing this version of P&P. I need to preface this review with a comment: I am not a horror or slasher film watcher. Mostly, I find them repetitive, boring, or offensive. I stopped watching them about 1977 or so. I very occasionally will touch base with one if it becomes a “societal” touchstone, but even then, it’s rare. I have never seen a Jason, 13th, Halloween, Hellraiser, Saw or any of those series. I have seen and do like some of the classics: “Wolfman“, “Psycho“, “Jaws“, etc and I also enjoy “monster / SciFi” films: “Predator“, “Alien“, “The Birds“. I’m not sure why I like some and not others. I guess it’s just me. | |
Anyway, this is actually a rom-slash / martial arts / action film. It is a “take-off” on P&P, so I thought I’d give it a chance. | |
Lily James plays Elizabeth Bennet, Sam Riley plays Mr. Darcy, Lena Headey plays Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Matt Smith plays Mr. Collins, Jack Huston plays Mr. Wickham and Charles Dance plays Mr. Bennet. I like Lily James and love Lena Heady. James makes a surprisingly good martial artist actor. I don’t know how much is actually James doing the fighting, but “her” portions looked great. Headey plays her typically serious role, even when it’s in a ridiculous role, like this one. (I love the eye-patch.) Dr. Who, I mean Matt Smith is outstanding as the incompetent and obsequious Collins. Riley is handsome and gallant enough as Darcy, but seems (to me) a bit too young (and movie handsome, not really ruggedly handsome). He looks like he should be in a boy band instead of on a parapet killing zombies. And, finally, I liked Dance as Mr. Bennet. I haven’t cared for him as much in other roles (GOT and “The Imitation Game“), but I thought he fit in this role. | |
Between the two threads, P&P and the zombies, this movie is 90% predictable. The 10% which was unpredictable was whether James, Headly and the other ladies could pull off the martial arts scenes. They do and quite well, too! | |
As a P&P fan, my final recommendation is: moderate to strong. I liked the sets, the costumes and the martial art set pieces. I enjoyed this movie as a different “parody / take” on P&P even though I didn’t care for any of the zombie portions of the film. They were merely action figures inserted to give the main characters moving targets to slice and dice. I watched this on my “On Demand” TV service. I’m not sure if I enjoyed it enough to actually buy a copy if ever comes in to my price point (yeah, still $5). Despite James and Headey, I’m not sure I’d pay for this P&P theme movie. And the movie ends as a setup to a sequel (which I will probably miss). | |
Austenland (2013) | |
This movie is supposed to be a “rom-com” about a late-20’s young lady who visits a theme park dedicated to re-enacting Jane Austen period life, social settings and romance. The problem is while there is romance, there is almost no comedy. | |
So, who’s in this movie? It stars Keri Russell as Jane Hayes (the Austen fanatic), J.J. Feild as Henry Nobley (kind of a Mr. Darcy who looks vaguely like Tom Hiddleston), Bret McKenzie as Martin (the love interest for Russell’s character in the park), Jennifer Coolidge as Miss Elizabeth Charming (I thinks she was meant to be the comedic character, but she is an offensive “rich, unread, ugly American” instead – but with a kind heart), Georgia King as Lady Amelia Heartwright (another offensive rich guest – also American), and Jane Seymour as Mrs. Wattlesbrook (the proprietor of the resort). There are also a number of other characters who aren’t really worth bothering to mention. | |
Russell is a “girl-next-door” version of Michelle Pfeiffer. To be honest, I thought Russell might be Pfeiffer’s daughter or much younger sister. She is the second best thing in this movie. Feild is the first. He makes both an interesting Nobly (Mr. Darcy) and a likeable history teacher. The only other “interesting” actor was Seymour playing a manipulative park director. The camera (or director or makeup crew) was not kind to her in this film. She looks old in her closeups – much more than the early 60’s she would have been when this was filmed / released. And not, evil / craggy / old – just old. Like I said, “interesting”. | |
Final recommendation: moderate (at best). I did like Russell and Feild and thought there was pretty good chemistry between them. So, “rom” is the limit of this rom-com. As a P&P fan, at least I can say I gave it a shot and watched it. | |
Thanks to any of you who made it all the way through this post / these reviews… | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Which May Be Less Frustrating, Too |
2021 | A Sovereign Good |
Some Tenderness Survives | |
2020 | At Least Until The Rainbow Comes |
2019 | And/Or A Great Soulmate |
Austen Stalking | |
2018 | Dead Red |
You Ain’t Done Yet | |
2017 | Just Because |
2016 | As Close As They Can Get |
2015 | And So I Blog |
2014 | Take Flight |
2013 | Contributing Joy |
2012 | More Than A Race |
2011 | Institutionalized Leadership |