I loved this, felt like I was there with you both! I’m also looking forward to the Other Bennet Sister - I enjoyed the book so hope series is good. Fingers crossed! Also random fun fact (hope I’m right) Susanna Harker’s sister is in BBC version of Middlemarch which also came out in the 1990s. I watched it again recently and spotted the family likeness and had to do some googling!! I was surprised you didn’t mention the thing I found weirdest in the movie which is that the Gardiners just lose Lizzie at Pemberley and leave without her! So she just walks back even though she doesn’t know the area and I think it was getting dark…. Hmmm. Thank you so much for this fun listen.
I haven't had a chance to listen yet, everyone, but I did finally see the 2005 film version, so let me just say that in comparing the two experiences, I did find the 1995 series much more aesthetically satisfying overall. I think in the final analysis, the series stayed much closer to the text, and if I had to select one word that described the film, it might be something like "tamer." That is, every character, every scene, seemed to be watered down a tad. Not that this made the film a negative experience; I rather loved the whole process of contrasting the various scenes and depictions of each character. But from Mr. Bennet, to Mr. Collins, to Darcy, to Liddy, they each seemed more fully developed somehow and closer to how I viewed them with relations to the novel in the mini-series. This is, of course, just my take on it, and I only viewed it once, so perhaps viewing it again would be a worthwhile endeavor!
I felt the same way Nancy! I think some of that difference between the two is down to the ridiculously short runtime the movie had to contend with, but there is also quite a significant difference in mood, tone, interpretation etc between the two.
I’m listening as I quickly type this, but just wanted to mention (before I go off on another tangent inspired by your discussion) that the ‘Other Bennet Sister’ is going to be a 10 week series and I’ve seen it may be aired around the 30th Anniversary of the 1995 series of P&P. I loved the book and discovered so much fanfiction that focuses on Mary!
Also Susannah Harker has a younger sister (Caroline) so I love how you pick up on her big sister energy as Jane.
Leaving my run a little late but something else just occurred to me about Jane and Bingley, and a hilarious comment/prediction that Mr Bennett made about their marriage. I googled and found something from the book but it wasn’t nearly as funny as what he said in the 1995 series. It was along the lines of the two of them being so similarly kind and polite and compliant that they will never disagree on anything. I’m not doing it justice so if either of you can remember it I’ll be forever grateful. Maybe I’ll just have to watch the series again!
1995 Mr Bennet: 'I've no doubt you'll do very well together. You're each of you so complying that nothing will ever be resolved on, so easy that every servant will cheat you, and so generous that you will always exceed your income.'
(Mrs Bennet: 'Exceed their income? What are you talking about! Don't you know he has five thousand a year!')
Yes, that's what Google turned up with, from the book. I remember it being much funnier in the BBC series. Maybe it was all in the delivery? Or maybe it was Mrs Bennet's retort that was the funny bit. So Mrs Bennet! Thanks Tash.
Thanks again to you both! I was wondering if I might understand/forgive the 2005 producers' decision to pare the Wickham and Lydia scandal right back, after listening, but I still find myself mystified. Just a few minutes' less candle-stick gazing or brooding on swings and they could have covered it, or enough of it. One of the scenes from 1995 that will stay with me forever is the very stern Mr Darcy stepping distastefully through the poorer quarters of London to uncover Wickham's sins and hold him to account. Nothing else explains, for me, Lizzie's change of heart. I won't be giving the movie a second chance.
What I have just enjoyed though is the pastiche novel 'Charlotte' by Helen Moffett. It takes up Charlotte Lucas's story a few years after the end of P&P - Charlotte has three children - but also dips back in time to present various key moments from P&P from Charlotte's point of view. I was also delighted by Moffett's refreshing and surprising representation of Lady Anne de Bourgh, and the feminist undertones. It's written in an Austenesque voice - without Austen's irony but I did get much joy from Charlotte's exquisite handling of her dim and obsequious husband. Having said that, even Mr Collins has grown and improved by the end of the novel. And, no spoilers but that ending is so satisfying!
Oh yes! I forgot about that scene in the TV series - I agree. It absolutely helps us understand Lizzie's character arc. But I don't know of this novel 'Charlotte'!! I'm not sure whether I'd have patience for an Austenesque voice without any irony!
I hear you, Tash - but it was still lovely to be back in Lizzie and Charlotte's world. After 'Death in Pemberley' I was a little nervous but this one is really done well.
I’ve had to start watching the BBC adaptation again after listening to your wonderful discussion. Can I just mention the tailoring of Colin Firth’s jackets… and just Colin Firth really 😍 He is so perfect as Darcy (much as I love Matthew Macfadyen’s dewy blue eyes) conveying really subtle internal emotional shifts and vulnerability too. I’m going to miss not having a part 3 of you discussing P&P this week
Oh please feel free to mention Colin Firth's jackets. Firth was perfect and the perfectly tailored clothing was perfect too. All perfect. No other word!
I'm glad you discussed the ending of the movie as I'd wondered where that came from and why it seemed so tacked on and out of place. So funny that American audiences weren't satisfied without a kissing scene to complete the romantic journey.
You knew that in the Barbie movie (which I only just caught up with) "Depression Barbie" endlessly scrolls her phone, eats whole packets of sour candy (whatever that is) and watches the BBC Pride and Prejudice seven times? Greta Gerwig, so good.
I loved this, felt like I was there with you both! I’m also looking forward to the Other Bennet Sister - I enjoyed the book so hope series is good. Fingers crossed! Also random fun fact (hope I’m right) Susanna Harker’s sister is in BBC version of Middlemarch which also came out in the 1990s. I watched it again recently and spotted the family likeness and had to do some googling!! I was surprised you didn’t mention the thing I found weirdest in the movie which is that the Gardiners just lose Lizzie at Pemberley and leave without her! So she just walks back even though she doesn’t know the area and I think it was getting dark…. Hmmm. Thank you so much for this fun listen.
Oh my goodness YES! That was strange (Lizzie leaving on foot sans Gardiners) - I noticed it at the time but had forgotten about it! Very weird!
I haven't had a chance to listen yet, everyone, but I did finally see the 2005 film version, so let me just say that in comparing the two experiences, I did find the 1995 series much more aesthetically satisfying overall. I think in the final analysis, the series stayed much closer to the text, and if I had to select one word that described the film, it might be something like "tamer." That is, every character, every scene, seemed to be watered down a tad. Not that this made the film a negative experience; I rather loved the whole process of contrasting the various scenes and depictions of each character. But from Mr. Bennet, to Mr. Collins, to Darcy, to Liddy, they each seemed more fully developed somehow and closer to how I viewed them with relations to the novel in the mini-series. This is, of course, just my take on it, and I only viewed it once, so perhaps viewing it again would be a worthwhile endeavor!
Oooh. Tame is a beautiful lens to think about how the story has been tempered for two hours!!
I felt the same way Nancy! I think some of that difference between the two is down to the ridiculously short runtime the movie had to contend with, but there is also quite a significant difference in mood, tone, interpretation etc between the two.
I’m listening as I quickly type this, but just wanted to mention (before I go off on another tangent inspired by your discussion) that the ‘Other Bennet Sister’ is going to be a 10 week series and I’ve seen it may be aired around the 30th Anniversary of the 1995 series of P&P. I loved the book and discovered so much fanfiction that focuses on Mary!
Also Susannah Harker has a younger sister (Caroline) so I love how you pick up on her big sister energy as Jane.
Oh fantastic! I'll keep a look out for it.
Leaving my run a little late but something else just occurred to me about Jane and Bingley, and a hilarious comment/prediction that Mr Bennett made about their marriage. I googled and found something from the book but it wasn’t nearly as funny as what he said in the 1995 series. It was along the lines of the two of them being so similarly kind and polite and compliant that they will never disagree on anything. I’m not doing it justice so if either of you can remember it I’ll be forever grateful. Maybe I’ll just have to watch the series again!
1995 Mr Bennet: 'I've no doubt you'll do very well together. You're each of you so complying that nothing will ever be resolved on, so easy that every servant will cheat you, and so generous that you will always exceed your income.'
(Mrs Bennet: 'Exceed their income? What are you talking about! Don't you know he has five thousand a year!')
Yes, that's what Google turned up with, from the book. I remember it being much funnier in the BBC series. Maybe it was all in the delivery? Or maybe it was Mrs Bennet's retort that was the funny bit. So Mrs Bennet! Thanks Tash.
Thanks again to you both! I was wondering if I might understand/forgive the 2005 producers' decision to pare the Wickham and Lydia scandal right back, after listening, but I still find myself mystified. Just a few minutes' less candle-stick gazing or brooding on swings and they could have covered it, or enough of it. One of the scenes from 1995 that will stay with me forever is the very stern Mr Darcy stepping distastefully through the poorer quarters of London to uncover Wickham's sins and hold him to account. Nothing else explains, for me, Lizzie's change of heart. I won't be giving the movie a second chance.
What I have just enjoyed though is the pastiche novel 'Charlotte' by Helen Moffett. It takes up Charlotte Lucas's story a few years after the end of P&P - Charlotte has three children - but also dips back in time to present various key moments from P&P from Charlotte's point of view. I was also delighted by Moffett's refreshing and surprising representation of Lady Anne de Bourgh, and the feminist undertones. It's written in an Austenesque voice - without Austen's irony but I did get much joy from Charlotte's exquisite handling of her dim and obsequious husband. Having said that, even Mr Collins has grown and improved by the end of the novel. And, no spoilers but that ending is so satisfying!
Oh yes! I forgot about that scene in the TV series - I agree. It absolutely helps us understand Lizzie's character arc. But I don't know of this novel 'Charlotte'!! I'm not sure whether I'd have patience for an Austenesque voice without any irony!
I hear you, Tash - but it was still lovely to be back in Lizzie and Charlotte's world. After 'Death in Pemberley' I was a little nervous but this one is really done well.
I’ve had to start watching the BBC adaptation again after listening to your wonderful discussion. Can I just mention the tailoring of Colin Firth’s jackets… and just Colin Firth really 😍 He is so perfect as Darcy (much as I love Matthew Macfadyen’s dewy blue eyes) conveying really subtle internal emotional shifts and vulnerability too. I’m going to miss not having a part 3 of you discussing P&P this week
Oh please feel free to mention Colin Firth's jackets. Firth was perfect and the perfectly tailored clothing was perfect too. All perfect. No other word!
The green jacket in particular! He embodies Darcy in the way Jeremy Northam captures Mr Knightly in Emma for me. Perfect is the only word!
'No no, the green one,' says Colin Firth / Mr Darcy as his servant passes him his clothing. He knows!
Exactly! He’s perfect 😄
I'm glad you discussed the ending of the movie as I'd wondered where that came from and why it seemed so tacked on and out of place. So funny that American audiences weren't satisfied without a kissing scene to complete the romantic journey.
You knew that in the Barbie movie (which I only just caught up with) "Depression Barbie" endlessly scrolls her phone, eats whole packets of sour candy (whatever that is) and watches the BBC Pride and Prejudice seven times? Greta Gerwig, so good.
Hahahaha yes! So funny! 😆