Pride & Prejudice 1995 and 2005
Sep 18th, 2008 by ellen
Last week I watched DVDs of Pride & Prejudice, both the 1995 BBC version and the 2005 version. Then, I read the novel, to get an idea of what Jane Austin originally wanted to tell.
Basically I like both film, but prefer the 1995 version a lot better. I guess seldom anybody would fail to love Lizzie-1995’s enchanting eyes. Lizzie-2005 strove to exhibit her teeth at any given moment. Yes the actress does have beautiful big teeth, but Jane Austine did not emphasize this feature of Lizzie in the book, and it disturbed me when I was trying my best to appreciate the actress’ eyes but the big teeth hopped up to the foreground….And, there’s a greater sophistication in Lizzie-1995 than Lizzie-2005. In Mr. Darcy-2005 I did not see much pride or arrogance, but just gloom from the beginning to the end. Well personally I like Mr. Darcy-2005’s look much better than Mr. Darcy-1995’s. But I feel Mr. Darcy-1995 is much closer to the image in the book. Both Lizzie-2005 and Mr. Darcy-2005 speak way too fast. This manner’s not quite English. Especially not quite English in 19th century. I know an old gentleman who once studied classic literature in England. When he spoke, it was almost exactly like how the actors and actresses spoke in P&P-1995.
I think the script of a 2005 version is very well written. The first confession of Mr. Darcy was modified very well. The heavy rain, the painting-like green field, the classic architecture…who can say the set is not romantic. However, the romantic atmosphere was totally destroyed for me when Lizzie and Mr. Darcy started to quarrel fiercely like every other American soap series also does. The dialogs were well written, but the execution a bit kitschy. I guess the director wanted to bring up more passion, sigh, but the passionate teeth-showing and mutual condemning did not necessarily present the emotion more powerfully. To me the first confession scene in the 1995 version was endlessly more chemical. Lizzie-1995 and Mr. Darcy-1995 were both pretty holding-back when speaking. Lizzie-1995’s performance in that scene was especially adorable.
Mr. Darcy’s house 2005 was a spectacular one but the surrounding was a bit too artificial, does not match the description in the novel very well. The book says it is surrounded with natural lake, natural trees and hills. What we see from the 2005 version is an artificial square pool with springs and trees that are canned in the French way. The house in the 1995 version was less splendid, but has a great, great natural view from the window.
Miss Bingley-2005 is amazing. Perfect gestures, perfect face expressions and perfect talking of an arrogant high-society woman. The lady de Bourgh-2005 would be perfect, if her hair was more neatly dressed. Mr. Bennet, the father, was more agreeable and humourous in the 1995 version.
The 2005 version has excellent cinematography and music (though, the music of the first ball in the film was too grand for a small place like the village of Meryton IMHO). Both versions exhibited the charm of English landscape. I enjoyed watching both.
