Jennifer Ehle was the perfect Elizabeth. Not immediately stunning, but gradually, grew more and more handsome, more and more beautiful, as the series progressed. Her beauty, wit, charm, liveliness of character and authenticity drew us all in, just as it drew in Darcy, "against his will," played so superbly by Colin Firth.
I agree entirely. I remember being drawn in by her when it first came out, her characterisation was wonderful. I've just watched this again only a couple of weeks ago, and I had the same feeling.
@@AgathaG1692 Ms Ehle is absolutely gorgeous indeed. But not immediately "stunning." Which makes her the perfect Elizabeth. Elizabeth was exactly that. Not immediately "stunning" as per the book. Her sister Jane was "the beauty" of the family, and Elizabeth was second to Jane in both the "goodness" department and the looks department. Jane in the otherwise horrific 2005 movie was perfect in this respect, because the actress Rosamund Pike is absolutely gorgeous. Bingley was completely and immediately attracted, and for obvious reasons. Unfortunately, in the BBC series, Susannah Harker did not have this kind of beauty, and that kind of chemistry didn't exist. I could never look at Ehle and Harker in a scene and convince myself that Harker was the more beautiful, but we were supposed to be under that illusion. If I could have the Jane and the Mr Collins from the 2005 movie, in the 1995 series, that would indeed be a perfect cast. Fortunately for us, both Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth were so right that they created a work of perfection, though some of the lesser characters not quite there...... So I am not taking from Jennifer Ehle in the slightest way. By the time that series was over, I would think we were all in love with her.
@@jamesmcgrath3841 Regarding Jane - I agree on their relative looks if you go by today's standards of what is considered stunning, however Susannah Harker did have the Grecian profile that would have been preferable in the time Pride and Prejudice is set in.
It's rare to say a production is perfect, but this one certainly is. I can't actually watch any other production of Pride and Prejudice now, because none of the others actually capture the book-and yet bring it to life-like this did. This is a classic people will still be watching and enjoying many many years from now. It's not going to become 'dated,' like the others have done.
golden words. especially i cannot watch the one with Keira Knightley. don't know why i did, but, pardon my french, it sucks big time, and caused me to dislike this, otherwise maybe pretty good actress, for this brutal butchering of Elizabeth Bennet. in totally destroying Austen characters, mood and all about them, only this new horrible Persuasion is more successful. at least with the latter they did it on purpose, not accidentally falling on their arses. but, returning to point, another Pride and Prejudice i thoroughly enjoyed, was this one en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_%26_Prejudice:_A_Latter-Day_Comedy set in Utah, 1990s i think. was available on youtube last i watched. one thing they got more right than Miss Austen: Mary married Collins. :D
@@SiiriRebaneme too! I have so many friends who just love the 2005 version and I have tried, and cannot watch it. Kiera Knightley has this constant facial expression that I can’t get past! The 1995 version is so good. You can sit with the book and follow along almost perfectly. I watch it multiple times a year.
@@ThatgirlL18 she would've been perfect almost in any other role except Elizabeth, whose diversity of facial expressions and liveliness was kinda main thing in her character. 'constant facial expression' btw reminds me of Lady Mary of Downton Abbey. she had 1 facial expression and 1 gesture, y'know, this rising and dropping both rigid arms slightly. Keira would've pulled it off nicely, also, she is prettier than wossername... who played Lady Mary. dementia... Michelle Dockerty or Doherty or smth? Dockery!
@@SiiriRebane agreed! 💯!!!! I call her facial expression this perpetual pout…. Kiera has it in every role I have seen her in, and it’s not at all what I picture when I think of Lizzy, Jennifer did an outstanding job! I think that rigidness suited Lady Mary’s character, which is not at all like Lizzy. I hope that makes sense.
The entire cast was great- and I have to give a shoutout to Crispin in particular, as he has spoiled me for all other Bingleys, heh. He so perfectly captured Bingley's cheerful innocence.
I also liked how he stood up to Darcy at the end for concealing Jane's whereabouts in London. He wasn't just a lovable doofus which I HATE how he was portrayed in the 2005 version...
I wish Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle had been available for comments on this show. I would love to know what their feelings were about the movie. I think they were perfect for each other as was the rest of the cast. Crispin and Susanna were also perfect for each other. I once watched this movie so much my husband and daughter hid the movie from me, but I just went out and bought it again. What a great movie!
I watch this adaptation once or twice a week, call me silly but I love it, I hide from my husband & daughter so they won't think I've gone crazy & so obsessed but I do it anyway, just makes me happy, it's like a family & I can go on & deal happily with what's going on, hahaha, this is the best adaptation & I have read J A's P & P so many times.
My sister had it on VHS, we perfected the art of fast forwarding to the end of the opening credits and hitting play just at the change up to the episode.
My daughter and me, too. We quote it at each other as a shorthand communication when in a crowd because we've watched it together so many times since 1995 😁
If my husband walks in when I try to watch this version he makes me pause it until he can join me. He loves this version and doesn't really like any other Austen adaptation.
This version of Pride and Prejudice is the best ever - I never get tired of watching it.. Well done everybody 👍👏👏👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🏴🏴🏴🏴
One of the few series I can rewatch every year and STILL enjoy it. Colin as Mr Darcy was just SO perfect. The whole cast was brilliant. The music, the locations, the costumes... the script! What can I say? Sublime.
It is 2023 and I still watch this show, quite often, over and over again. It’s the best version of Pride and Prejudice out there, in my view. So beautifully done.
So do we! Me, my husband and 2 daughters, the elder one being born in 1995! We just had our annual binge watch a couple of weeks ago and last weekend visited Belton House in Grantham, which was used for the exterior of Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s house!
this production of Pride and Prejudice is a gem, it should be remastered and published in high definition again. and add this beautiful making of in it too.
I still watch the whole series regularly on dvd, sometimes with friends, or with family or even by myself! An all-time favorite of mine and every actor was perfect for the role they played. Congratulations to everyone who had anything to do with the making of this great, great work!!!❤️
I agree. It's fantastic. The one that got me hooked was A Room with a View. I saw it when I was in college. I have been watching period t.v. and films ever since. And reading the books.
@@gardenlover9663 he went missing whilst climbing in the mountains in California and they found his remains last month. Or early this month. Deva.stated
This was my favorite adaptation of Pride and Prejudice; it was superb! How wonderful to listen to the cast share their experiences and see them out of costume!
My mum watched pride and Prejudice every day for three years in her care home bedroom. We both knew every scene off by heart and loved it all every time. She died in February this year and I do miss watching mr Darcy.
I did the same with my late mother in law. Even in her late dementia, she always looked up when the music came on and she focused on the screen. It was our bond.
It is simply the best production of P&P to date. My family and I watch it over and over. I have it on a DVD set. Every single performer was perfect, the score, the costumes, locations....every action undertaken to produce this is stunning.
i am a little embarrassed to admit that i have not been reading a lot of books up until this very summer (i am 20 years old), when i discovered that *shockingly* books can actually be a lot of fun. and i've quickly realized that my mom has great taste in those so i decided to read her favorite book, which is Pride and Prejudice. after i did i was so impressed that i started searching for an adaptation to watch and remembered her telling me that she thought this to be the best one. and oh was she right. this is almost a perfect adaptation, specifically I'd like to praise the casting and the score. it really feels like the actors just are those characters. phenomenal work! i will be rewatching it a lot throughout my life i'm already certain of that
I love this version. The casting is perfect. I can’t help but watch it again, every time it comes on the tv. Bet Darcy and Lizzie had a great wedding night!
It’s 2023 but I still think this 1995 A&E version is the best adaptation of Pride and Prejudice! Every actors and actresses were superb!!! This version is a classic just like the book.
This was the closest dramatisation of a book ive ever seen. I was blown away the first time I saw it - they genuinely brought the book to alive in full. Carl Davies's music is perfection! What an amazing composer.
Love Jane Austen and this is my all time favourite adaptation, so well cast everyone right for their character. Well done for the whole production and Carl Davis for the wonderful music.
I still watch this production whenever I have the chance. It captures the original novel so perfectly. This is a great rarity, primarily since most video productions must truncate novels in order to fit them into 1.5 hours. In my opinion, it is an absolute treasure!
I have the DVD set and I watch it every year. It's such a treat: perfect casting, wonderful costumes, great locations. I have a lot of other versions but this is the most enjoyable.
The best ever version, none can compare. Fantastic casting, and amazing acting. Almost impossible to choose a favourite actor. Love it, Love it, Love it!!!
"We can't cast him, he looks like an unmade bed!" and "But you can't play Darcy, you're not sexy!" are easily the funniest comments in the video hahaha
Wellll, Darcy is supposed to be 28 in the novel, so yep, that was a bit off ... but it's amazing how attractive good acting and a good character can make somebody. admittedly, I'm giving this movie points for _not_ making Elizabeth and Jane look like standard magazine cover beauties, thank goodness :)
@@Julia-lk8jn they really have the standard beauty for that time though. Which is why is so confused as to why everyone thinks Jane is so much more attractive compared to Lizzy. Maybe blonds were more popular? The actresses actually look like sisters in this series
@@бронза.вафля.конус I've always thought that it's because the 1995 Jane resembles a classical statue. And Regency/Empire fashion and beauty standards were all about the antiquity.
Everything about this adaptation is perfect. I love it more every time I (re)watch it, and I am eternally grateful to my Danish parents for introducing me to it when I was still an impressionable pre-teen. The music, the timing of the dialogue, the framing of the shots, the locations, and the performances and chemistry between the actors. Wonderful the lot of it.
@zenocrate. Totally agree. And full of treasures. The little scene showing Lady Catherine’s silent misery at hearing of Darcy’s engagement. Suddenly vulnerable and lonely. Superb revelation from a very intelligent actress.
P&P 1995 is the Gold Standard adaptation of this beloved book, and this series of interviews is a delight to view. Such a treat having the actors reminisce about their experiences and sharing them with those of us who love this production. I watch P&P at least once a year to this day. It never fails to entertain and impress with its outstanding quality. 📚
Thank you so much for this! I'm French and first watched this back in 1997, on a videotape that an English teacher (God bless her) had lent me... It meant no subtitles, and I was far from being fluent (I was 17 at the time). And to say I was hooked is a weak word. It was a complete shock, an absolute amazement. I litterally binged it for weeks (never stopped ever since). Started reading all Austen, in wonder. This collective work that this whole team has offered us is such a lesson of intelligence, and at the same time of good humour, simplicity and wit... For me, it's one of the best (and quintessentially British!) novel adaptations I have ever seen (and now I am... 43!!!).
For music that Jane Austen herself played, see You Tube categories for 1) 1)Jane Austen. family music books" etc. similar titles 2) several performances of various songs of which she owned scores. 3) ads for several CDs of performances but of different songs 4) website articles about the many styles of songs that Jane Austen played--- European classical. English, Scottish Irish, French folk + popular songs, English longways country dance instru mentals, etc. songs,
I found the alternative opening with Darcy and Bingley riding horseback fit beautifully and was necessary to the film version. Lizzie sees them from afar and looks upon them with pleasure and admiration. This shows the audience why Elizabeth so strongly resents Darcy for snubbing her at their first meeting. People crave approval only from the people they admire, not from those who incite no interest. Hell hath no fury. Elizabeth later takes a most particular interest in Wickham because he ingratiates himself. Had Darcy done the same, the novel would have been a short story.
I definitely think it's the best version, because a lot of effort was put into adding scenes that made Darcy look like a virile, misunderstood and sensitive man; otherwise it's extremely difficult to understand why Lizzie would ever find him attractive. When reading the book you can rationalize it in your head, but not on screen.
This version of Pride and Prejudice, along with FRIENDS are my favorite shows, ever. For decades now. I got the sheet music yesterday, too, and have been playing it ever since. With interruptions for sleep and nourishment, of course, haha. So thank you for all of it!
It’s still my all time favorite historical romance movie series. Agree with all of the observations made in this documentary! Everything put into the making of this Romance film was done perfectly, from the cast, script, locations, directing, music score, atmospheric sensitivities, nuances of all kinds, etc. Superb in every way❣️❣️❣️
It is my favourite version, too. I saw it before I read the book. I've seen it many times now. It doesn't bother me one bit that I have this mental picture of Jennifer Ehle, Colin Firth, Alison Steadman, etc. every time I reread it. It all fits so well.
Some people complain the cast of the 1995 was too old to play Austen's characters. I view it as a necessity. People had a shorter life span in Austen's day. They shouldered the responsibilities of adulthood at an earlier age. They read books for entertainment, wrote letters to communicate, and spoke in complete sentences. Today it is unusual to hear more than LOL, OMG, and WTF. Austen's characters need to be played by people who have some measure of emotional maturity and life experience to be convincing in their roles. Ehle was 26 and Knightley was 20 when each played Elizabeth Bennett. Ehle won a BAFTA for the role with good reason. Knightley played it like a junior high cheerleader who was either simpering or sulky all the way through.
You guys did an AMAZING job. No matter what Brits are the best in making historical series. Please continue. In the age of AI and bad Hollywood re-runs, you are all we got. Thank you.
zhannageskin, I loaned my 'well-watched' P&P to a workmate, who also was immediately hooked. It was ages before she [reluctantly] returned it. I understood compl;etely.
My husband and I have seen this over and over so many times. We love it and re-visit it on a regular basis. Time to watch it again I think, we never tire of it.
This production was absolutely 100 percent PERFECT !! It is exactly like reading the book. I,m sure even Jane Austen would love it !! All the actors were so perfectly suited to their roles...Mrs Bennett, Mr Bennet, Elizabeth, Lydia 👍👍
I absolutely adore this television adaptation, I've got the DVD & love to watch it regularly. Whenever it's repeated on TV I always re-watch. Love the story, script, costunes, hairstyles, locations - everything 👏👏👏🇬🇧😊
Perfect production and directing. Perfect cast and acting. Perfect locations, costumes and music. I watched it hundreds of times and will never be bored of it.
The best adaptation. Great casting, a wonderful script, beautiful music, etc. I've watched it several times, and I'll definitely watch it several more in the future. It's such a delight to have this kind of approach to adapting the book. No stooping to "make it easier" for the modern audiences. Love ever bit of it!
No one beats this version of Pride and Prejudice. The cast stayed true to the book. The other versions don't compare. I own most of the other versions too. I don't have the Pride and Prejudice zombies cuz it was not good. After I first watched this version in my teens on tv, I asked for the DVD version for my birthday and got it on my birthday. Mrs. Bennett is hilarious in this version.
I watch the BBC version every time I want a lovely peaceful moment or two. Its my go-to for any time I need timeout. A glorious production. Unsurpassed, superbly acted. Will always stand the test of time.
Thank you for sharing! When I feel down, I always watch this adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. None other moves me like this one. Perfect cast, perfect storytelling, perfect production, perfect everything ❤ 2 more years and it will be 30 years... and still does not age.
2:16 “People think we’ve done an updated version but what we’ve actually done is gone back to the book and really really looked at what Jane Austen was doing”
This is best adaptation of Pride and prejudice by far in my opinion! Everything about it is perfect the settings, cast, costume and music, I absolutely love it all, if I am feeling fed up, this is my 'go to' to cheer me up. I wish we could have more costume dramas that are this good! They don't seem to like to stick faithfully to the books and time period anymore, so these dramas might appeal to a contemporary audience which is a shame, but at least we can watch it again and again on DVD. I have still got the old VHS box set of this that I got back in the day, but the first video tape sticks and turns off in the middle which is very annoying it is great to see all the trailers for the other BBC costume dramas that you can buy at the beginning of the tape! 😅 Thank you for showing this documentary it is really enjoyable!
My sisters and I enjoyed this production so much growing up that we used to just listen to the DVD while doing other things. The most memorable time was when our baby brother was in the hospital and we were taking turns staying with him and we put Pride and Prejudice in the room's DVD player to keep us feeling like everything was okay as we took shifts with him. It truly is one of the best book adaptations out there, cast and film. I'm looking forward to my five girls getting big enough to enjoy it with me!
I'm a very critical and empathic watcher. I immediately "feel" when something is not absolutely "right". A false note as it were, a wrong way of saying something, or the acting not feeling right or spot on. But I can honestly say that this adaptation of Pride & Prejudice has almost none. Which is very rare indeed. 28 years on, and I still binge watch it every few months, plus whenever I feel the need for that particular mood and atmosphere to dwell in for a while, like whenever I'm sick or sad.. It's the one and only for me too, as none of the older, and none of the newer versions come anywhere near this one. I absolutely LOVE it!
In its perfection, it does leave you with wonderfully soothing & lasting memories~ complete with the most magical music! So it's not surprising that people return to it so often~ it's beautifully therapautic.
This is the best production in BBC history! Everything about it is perfect...made in the days when I didn't mind paying my tv licence. After all these years I prefer to watch this than anything they put on now
I have this on DVD and now of course you can find it streaming. I pretty much watch it at least once a year. It's my comfort viewing, and when I lost my mother in law and my father within weeks of each other, I watched pretty much every Jane Austen and Catherine Cookson adaptation I could find. This mini-series remains the best of the best. The actors were perfect. The script, the music, the locations. I don't think anything could have been improved upon.
This was and still is the best video ever made. The cast, the best ever, and just perfect in every way, made it so believable. I bought the video soon after I loaned it from the library in 2002 and we, our whole family parents, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren have watched it at least 30 times. I fell in love with the English language and have read the book about the same number of times. Thank you for enriching our lives all these years. ❤❤❤
First time I watched this I was 15 and our drama teacher played it for us on Fridays, and let me tell you how a class of freshmen in high school got SOOOO invested! Years later I made my now husband watch it and by the end of the third vhs (yep) he was impatient for the next. Lol. Good times.
This is a magnificent version, the definitive in my opinion. I have watched it many times, twice sitting with my hard-copy version of the novel (actually one of several copies) underlining the appropriate pieces of text. The script was wonderfully adapted, keeping the feel of Jane Austin. The casting was so perfect! BTW, I have it on DVD and an electronic version. I did have it on video tape, but I wore it out!
I loved this in 1995, and I still love it 28 years later and still watch it. None of the other versions can hold a candle to this one.
Agreed
Absolutely! 😁
dam right
The 1995 version is authentic and classic series that pays homage to the classical book and period.
Absolutely! I pay for Brit Box every month just to be able to see it!!❤❤❤❤
Jennifer Ehle was the perfect Elizabeth. Not immediately stunning, but gradually, grew more and more handsome, more and more beautiful, as the series progressed. Her beauty, wit, charm, liveliness of character and authenticity drew us all in, just as it drew in Darcy, "against his will," played so superbly by Colin Firth.
I agree entirely. I remember being drawn in by her when it first came out, her characterisation was wonderful. I've just watched this again only a couple of weeks ago, and I had the same feeling.
I must beg to differ...Ms. Ehle is absolutely gorgeous, and was right from the beginning.
@@AgathaG1692 Ms Ehle is absolutely gorgeous indeed. But not immediately "stunning." Which makes her the perfect Elizabeth. Elizabeth was exactly that. Not immediately "stunning" as per the book. Her sister Jane was "the beauty" of the family, and Elizabeth was second to Jane in both the "goodness" department and the looks department.
Jane in the otherwise horrific 2005 movie was perfect in this respect, because the actress Rosamund Pike is absolutely gorgeous. Bingley was completely and immediately attracted, and for obvious reasons. Unfortunately, in the BBC series, Susannah Harker did not have this kind of beauty, and that kind of chemistry didn't exist. I could never look at Ehle and Harker in a scene and convince myself that Harker was the more beautiful, but we were supposed to be under that illusion.
If I could have the Jane and the Mr Collins from the 2005 movie, in the 1995 series, that would indeed be a perfect cast. Fortunately for us, both Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth were so right that they created a work of perfection, though some of the lesser characters not quite there...... So I am not taking from Jennifer Ehle in the slightest way. By the time that series was over, I would think we were all in love with her.
Agree - she bowled me over immediately. She was the whole package beauty and brains - but a heart too. @@AgathaG1692
@@jamesmcgrath3841 Regarding Jane - I agree on their relative looks if you go by today's standards of what is considered stunning, however Susannah Harker did have the Grecian profile that would have been preferable in the time Pride and Prejudice is set in.
It's rare to say a production is perfect, but this one certainly is. I can't actually watch any other production of Pride and Prejudice now, because none of the others actually capture the book-and yet bring it to life-like this did. This is a classic people will still be watching and enjoying many many years from now. It's not going to become 'dated,' like the others have done.
I completely agree! ❤
golden words. especially i cannot watch the one with Keira Knightley. don't know why i did, but, pardon my french, it sucks big time, and caused me to dislike this, otherwise maybe pretty good actress, for this brutal butchering of Elizabeth Bennet. in totally destroying Austen characters, mood and all about them, only this new horrible Persuasion is more successful. at least with the latter they did it on purpose, not accidentally falling on their arses. but, returning to point, another Pride and Prejudice i thoroughly enjoyed, was this one en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_%26_Prejudice:_A_Latter-Day_Comedy set in Utah, 1990s i think. was available on youtube last i watched. one thing they got more right than Miss Austen: Mary married Collins. :D
@@SiiriRebaneme too! I have so many friends who just love the 2005 version and I have tried, and cannot watch it. Kiera Knightley has this constant facial expression that I can’t get past! The 1995 version is so good. You can sit with the book and follow along almost perfectly. I watch it multiple times a year.
@@ThatgirlL18 she would've been perfect almost in any other role except Elizabeth, whose diversity of facial expressions and liveliness was kinda main thing in her character. 'constant facial expression' btw reminds me of Lady Mary of Downton Abbey. she had 1 facial expression and 1 gesture, y'know, this rising and dropping both rigid arms slightly. Keira would've pulled it off nicely, also, she is prettier than wossername... who played Lady Mary. dementia... Michelle Dockerty or Doherty or smth? Dockery!
@@SiiriRebane agreed! 💯!!!! I call her facial expression this perpetual pout…. Kiera has it in every role I have seen her in, and it’s not at all what I picture when I think of Lizzy, Jennifer did an outstanding job! I think that rigidness suited Lady Mary’s character, which is not at all like Lizzy. I hope that makes sense.
The entire cast was great- and I have to give a shoutout to Crispin in particular, as he has spoiled me for all other Bingleys, heh. He so perfectly captured Bingley's cheerful innocence.
Yes, he seemed to embody Bingley's sweet good nature.
I also liked how he stood up to Darcy at the end for concealing Jane's whereabouts in London. He wasn't just a lovable doofus which I HATE how he was portrayed in the 2005 version...
This interview was 10 years after the filming, now it’s been almost 30! It’s still wonderful and still watching. Feb 2024.
April 2024
@@iorethofgondor, 19 August 2024
I wish Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle had been available for comments on this show. I would love to know what their feelings were about the movie. I think they were perfect for each other as was the rest of the cast. Crispin and Susanna were also perfect for each other. I once watched this movie so much my husband and daughter hid the movie from me, but I just went out and bought it again. What a great movie!
Where did you buy it? I am in Canada.
Yes, was wondering why they didn't talk to the two main actors. Anyone know?
I watch this adaptation once or twice a week, call me silly but I love it, I hide from my husband & daughter so they won't think I've gone crazy & so obsessed but I do it anyway, just makes me happy, it's like a family & I can go on & deal happily with what's going on, hahaha, this is the best adaptation & I have read J A's P & P so many times.
My sister had it on VHS, we perfected the art of fast forwarding to the end of the opening credits and hitting play just at the change up to the episode.
I do the same thing, fast forward to the next, but i am obsessed with this version & watch it more than 3x a week, hahaha, but I love it
my daughter and I once a year have a Pride and Prejudice marathon. This is the only version we will watch.
And me! 😂❤
I love this version and I like to dream this world ❤❤❤❤
I totally destroyed my daughter by introducing this series to her. Now we are watching them non-stop :))
My daughter and me, too. We quote it at each other as a shorthand communication when in a crowd because we've watched it together so many times since 1995 😁
If my husband walks in when I try to watch this version he makes me pause it until he can join me. He loves this version and doesn't really like any other Austen adaptation.
Just hearing that opening piano music makes me happy. This was, by far, the best ever adaptation to film.
This version of Pride and Prejudice is the best ever - I never get tired of watching it.. Well done everybody 👍👏👏👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🏴🏴🏴🏴
One of the few series I can rewatch every year and STILL enjoy it. Colin as Mr Darcy was just SO perfect. The whole cast was brilliant. The music, the locations, the costumes... the script! What can I say? Sublime.
It is 2023 and I still watch this show, quite often, over and over again. It’s the best version of Pride and Prejudice out there, in my view. So beautifully done.
Even my 80 year old husband requests it on movie nights.
I just watched this show last weekend and I too watch it on a regular basis😊 I simply love it🎉
All these years later, my family still has a P&P binge party at least once a year. Best Jane Austen adaptation ever….
Oh wow! Sounds so fun!
What a great idea!❤
So do we! Me, my husband and 2 daughters, the elder one being born in 1995! We just had our annual binge watch a couple of weeks ago and last weekend visited Belton House in Grantham, which was used for the exterior of Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s house!
We need an international Pride & Prejudice Day.
this production of Pride and Prejudice is a gem, it should be remastered and published in high definition again. and add this beautiful making of in it too.
That would be wonderful.
I believe it was remastered for its 25th anniversary.
I still watch the whole series regularly on dvd, sometimes with friends, or with family or even by myself! An all-time favorite of mine and every actor was perfect for the role they played. Congratulations to everyone who had anything to do with the making of this great, great work!!!❤️
Me too!
Same here
It's also currently available on IPlayer.
Me too🎉
Nothing can supercede this ever .. the reason why this is timeless is because it’s so true to the book
Yes, exactly
Yes.
Everything about this adaptation is perfection. Casting, acting, costumes, music, settings. Will never tire of watching it 😍👌🏻
I watch this series quite often and Mr. Collins has me in stitches every time. This series is brilliant, the very best.
The absolute best costume drama I’ve seen. This is the one that got me hooked.
I agree. It's fantastic.
The one that got me hooked was A Room with a View. I saw it when I was in college. I have been watching period t.v. and films ever since. And reading the books.
@@gardenlover9663RIP Julian Sands
@@kikidevine694 I had no idea! How awful.
@@gardenlover9663 he went missing whilst climbing in the mountains in California and they found his remains last month. Or early this month. Deva.stated
This 1995 production ruined me for any other remakes. I love everything about this production!
This was my favorite adaptation of Pride and Prejudice; it was superb! How wonderful to listen to the cast share their experiences and see them out of costume!
David Bamber did a fantastic job as Mr Collins
My mum watched pride and Prejudice every day for three years in her care home bedroom. We both knew every scene off by heart and loved it all every time.
She died in February this year and I do miss watching mr Darcy.
❤️💜❤️
So sorry for your loss 😢
I did the same with my late mother in law. Even in her late dementia, she always looked up when the music came on and she focused on the screen. It was our bond.
She sounds like a wonderful lady! So sorry for your loss, but what good times you shared together❤
It is simply the best production of P&P to date.
My family and I watch it over and over. I have it on a DVD set.
Every single performer was perfect, the score, the costumes, locations....every action undertaken to produce this is stunning.
i am a little embarrassed to admit that i have not been reading a lot of books up until this very summer (i am 20 years old), when i discovered that *shockingly* books can actually be a lot of fun. and i've quickly realized that my mom has great taste in those so i decided to read her favorite book, which is Pride and Prejudice. after i did i was so impressed that i started searching for an adaptation to watch and remembered her telling me that she thought this to be the best one. and oh was she right. this is almost a perfect adaptation, specifically I'd like to praise the casting and the score. it really feels like the actors just are those characters. phenomenal work! i will be rewatching it a lot throughout my life i'm already certain of that
It is undoubtedly the best production of all time and it will stand the test of time. The cast will remain forever young. Thankyou fo doing this 👏👏🌟🌟
I love this version. The casting is perfect. I can’t help but watch it again, every time it comes on the tv. Bet Darcy and Lizzie had a great wedding night!
It’s 2023 but I still think this 1995 A&E version is the best adaptation of Pride and Prejudice! Every actors and actresses were superb!!! This version is a classic just like the book.
I agree, this is THE very best version!
This was the closest dramatisation of a book ive ever seen. I was blown away the first time I saw it - they genuinely brought the book to alive in full. Carl Davies's music is perfection! What an amazing composer.
The 1987 adaptation of A Room With a View is also an excellent example of the screen capturing the 'feel' of the page!
@@zenocrate4040 Absolutely! That was another rare example. That and Merchant Ivory's Howard's End. The Three Graces of movie adaptations.
By far the best version of this great novel
Love Jane Austen and this is my all time favourite adaptation, so well cast everyone right for their character. Well done for the whole production and Carl Davis for the wonderful music.
Sheer utter perfection this adaptation. I’ll never watch another version. It can’t be beaten
I am watching it again in 2024. My favourite version of P&P
I still watch this production whenever I have the chance. It captures the original novel so perfectly. This is a great rarity, primarily since most video productions must truncate novels in order to fit them into 1.5 hours. In my opinion, it is an absolute treasure!
I have the DVD set and I watch it every year. It's such a treat: perfect casting, wonderful costumes, great locations. I have a lot of other versions but this is the most enjoyable.
I'm echoing all the other comments here. This is the best production of P & P. I'm 75 now, and I still watch it often. Kudos to everyone involved!
Ahh how nostalgic to see them all talk about such a wonderful adaptation. Hands down the best.
The dialogue is so beautiful-Austen’s words.
The best ever version, none can compare. Fantastic casting, and amazing acting. Almost impossible to choose a favourite actor. Love it, Love it, Love it!!!
There is no other pride and prejudiced for me there 1995 . Had a had a wonderful visit with with the cast .
Music was so perfect too!
"We can't cast him, he looks like an unmade bed!" and "But you can't play Darcy, you're not sexy!" are easily the funniest comments in the video hahaha
Wellll, Darcy is supposed to be 28 in the novel, so yep, that was a bit off ... but it's amazing how attractive good acting and a good character can make somebody.
admittedly, I'm giving this movie points for _not_ making Elizabeth and Jane look like standard magazine cover beauties, thank goodness :)
@@Julia-lk8jn they really have the standard beauty for that time though. Which is why is so confused as to why everyone thinks Jane is so much more attractive compared to Lizzy. Maybe blonds were more popular? The actresses actually look like sisters in this series
@@бронза.вафля.конус I've always thought that it's because the 1995 Jane resembles a classical statue. And Regency/Empire fashion and beauty standards were all about the antiquity.
Everything about this adaptation is perfect. I love it more every time I (re)watch it, and I am eternally grateful to my Danish parents for introducing me to it when I was still an impressionable pre-teen. The music, the timing of the dialogue, the framing of the shots, the locations, and the performances and chemistry between the actors. Wonderful the lot of it.
@zenocrate. Totally agree. And full of treasures. The little scene showing Lady Catherine’s silent misery at hearing of Darcy’s engagement. Suddenly vulnerable and lonely. Superb revelation from a very intelligent actress.
P&P 1995 is the Gold Standard adaptation of this beloved book, and this series of interviews is a delight to view. Such a treat having the actors reminisce about their experiences and sharing them with those of us who love this production. I watch P&P at least once a year to this day. It never fails to entertain and impress with its outstanding quality. 📚
I love the acting so much. Wonderful casting!
Thank you so much for this! I'm French and first watched this back in 1997, on a videotape that an English teacher (God bless her) had lent me... It meant no subtitles, and I was far from being fluent (I was 17 at the time). And to say I was hooked is a weak word. It was a complete shock, an absolute amazement. I litterally binged it for weeks (never stopped ever since). Started reading all Austen, in wonder. This collective work that this whole team has offered us is such a lesson of intelligence, and at the same time of good humour, simplicity and wit... For me, it's one of the best (and quintessentially British!) novel adaptations I have ever seen (and now I am... 43!!!).
I couldn't agree more! It is perfect! Thank you for your heartfelt comment.
Are there any French equivalents to P and P? Have you read Cranford?
@@MrTonyInchpractice Spontaneously, I'm thinking about Flaubert's "Madame Bovary" ?
I love the music! It added so much!
For music that Jane Austen herself played, see You Tube categories for 1)
1)Jane Austen. family music books"
etc. similar titles
2) several performances of various songs
of which she owned scores.
3) ads for several CDs of performances but of
different songs
4) website articles about the many styles
of songs that Jane Austen played---
European classical. English, Scottish
Irish, French folk + popular songs,
English longways country dance instru
mentals, etc.
songs,
The cast was so perfect! Fifth will always be Darcy!
l always liked Sixth.
No other version comes near it. True classic.
I found the alternative opening with Darcy and Bingley riding horseback fit beautifully and was necessary to the film version. Lizzie sees them from afar and looks upon them with pleasure and admiration. This shows the audience why Elizabeth so strongly resents Darcy for snubbing her at their first meeting. People crave approval only from the people they admire, not from those who incite no interest. Hell hath no fury. Elizabeth later takes a most particular interest in Wickham because he ingratiates himself. Had Darcy done the same, the novel would have been a short story.
This is by far the very, very best of any Jane Austin dramatization.
It's still my favourite version
I definitely think it's the best version, because a lot of effort was put into adding scenes that made Darcy look like a virile, misunderstood and sensitive man; otherwise it's extremely difficult to understand why Lizzie would ever find him attractive. When reading the book you can rationalize it in your head, but not on screen.
My favorite series ever.
This is the BEST adaptation of the book I’ve watched other versions and found them lacking
Alison Steadman Is a pleasant surprise. She Is so talented. . I also still watch this series after all thiis time.
This version of Pride and Prejudice, along with FRIENDS are my favorite shows, ever. For decades now. I got the sheet music yesterday, too, and have been playing it ever since. With interruptions for sleep and nourishment, of course, haha. So thank you for all of it!
This version captures the heart and soul of P&P to perfection!
It’s still my all time favorite historical romance movie series. Agree with all of the observations made in this documentary! Everything put into the making of this Romance film was done perfectly, from the cast, script, locations, directing, music score, atmospheric sensitivities, nuances of all kinds, etc. Superb in every way❣️❣️❣️
It is my favourite version, too. I saw it before I read the book. I've seen it many times now. It doesn't bother me one bit that I have this mental picture of Jennifer Ehle, Colin Firth, Alison Steadman, etc. every time I reread it. It all fits so well.
Love this adaption Have watched it many times My favourite by far
Some people complain the cast of the 1995 was too old to play Austen's characters. I view it as a necessity. People had a shorter life span in Austen's day. They shouldered the responsibilities of adulthood at an earlier age. They read books for entertainment, wrote letters to communicate, and spoke in complete sentences. Today it is unusual to hear more than LOL, OMG, and WTF. Austen's characters need to be played by people who have some measure of emotional maturity and life experience to be convincing in their roles. Ehle was 26 and Knightley was 20 when each played Elizabeth Bennett. Ehle won a BAFTA for the role with good reason. Knightley played it like a junior high cheerleader who was either simpering or sulky all the way through.
Knigthley is not adequate
And playing 2005 Bingley is humiliating
Intelligent reflection. That would be a fun topic of conversation with Austen fans, the emotional expectations upon early 19th century young people.
Yes--for me Kira Knightly is just too modern to be convincing in a period piece. She doesn't have the right sensibility.
In the movie the actors had the right age but it didn’t have feeling.
You guys did an AMAZING job. No matter what Brits are the best in making historical series. Please continue. In the age of AI and bad Hollywood re-runs, you are all we got. Thank you.
My favorite movie. I love it dearly!!!!
zhannageskin, I loaned my 'well-watched' P&P to a workmate, who also was immediately hooked. It was ages before she [reluctantly] returned it. I understood compl;etely.
My husband and I have seen this over and over so many times. We love it and re-visit it on a regular basis. Time to watch it again I think, we never tire of it.
I nearly didnt watch it. I remember thinking, not another Austen. I was captivated from the start. Its perfect in every way.
My husband and I just watched this together and we both agree that we want to watch P&P again …. For the umpteenth time! 🤗
Well done!
This production was absolutely 100 percent PERFECT !! It is exactly like reading the book. I,m sure even Jane Austen would love it !! All the actors were so perfectly suited to their roles...Mrs Bennett, Mr Bennet, Elizabeth, Lydia 👍👍
I absolutely adore this television adaptation, I've got the DVD & love to watch it regularly. Whenever it's repeated on TV I always re-watch. Love the story, script, costunes, hairstyles, locations - everything 👏👏👏🇬🇧😊
Perfect production and directing. Perfect cast and acting. Perfect locations, costumes and music. I watched it hundreds of times and will never be bored of it.
The best adaptation. Great casting, a wonderful script, beautiful music, etc. I've watched it several times, and I'll definitely watch it several more in the future. It's such a delight to have this kind of approach to adapting the book. No stooping to "make it easier" for the modern audiences. Love ever bit of it!
No one beats this version of Pride and Prejudice. The cast stayed true to the book. The other versions don't compare. I own most of the other versions too. I don't have the Pride and Prejudice zombies cuz it was not good. After I first watched this version in my teens on tv, I asked for the DVD version for my birthday and got it on my birthday. Mrs. Bennett is hilarious in this version.
and here it is 29 years later, and still so loved. I watch it probably once a month. Everything about it is lovely. So true to such a fantastic book.
I watch the BBC version every time I want a lovely peaceful moment or two. Its my go-to for any time I need timeout. A glorious production. Unsurpassed, superbly acted. Will always stand the test of time.
Thank you for sharing! When I feel down, I always watch this adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. None other moves me like this one. Perfect cast, perfect storytelling, perfect production, perfect everything ❤ 2 more years and it will be 30 years... and still does not age.
2:16 “People think we’ve done an updated version but what we’ve actually done is gone back to the book and really really looked at what Jane Austen was doing”
And THAT is respect for the source material and how you do an amazing movie (or series). I love that so much.
This is best adaptation of Pride and prejudice by far in my opinion! Everything about it is perfect the settings, cast, costume and music, I absolutely love it all, if I am feeling fed up, this is my 'go to' to cheer me up. I wish we could have more costume dramas that are this good! They don't seem to like to stick faithfully to the books and time period anymore, so these dramas might appeal to a contemporary audience which is a shame, but at least we can watch it again and again on DVD. I have still got the old VHS box set of this that I got back in the day, but the first video tape sticks and turns off in the middle which is very annoying it is great to see all the trailers for the other BBC costume dramas that you can buy at the beginning of the tape! 😅 Thank you for showing this documentary it is really enjoyable!
Still enjoying it today as much as I did the first time I watched it.
My sisters and I enjoyed this production so much growing up that we used to just listen to the DVD while doing other things. The most memorable time was when our baby brother was in the hospital and we were taking turns staying with him and we put Pride and Prejudice in the room's DVD player to keep us feeling like everything was okay as we took shifts with him. It truly is one of the best book adaptations out there, cast and film. I'm looking forward to my five girls getting big enough to enjoy it with me!
I loved the factoid of Jane Austen’s personality from Mr. Whitrow being most like Mr. Bennett, the constant “observer” and ironic commentator.
I'm a very critical and empathic watcher. I immediately "feel" when something is not absolutely "right". A false note as it were, a wrong way of saying something, or the acting not feeling right or spot on. But I can honestly say that this adaptation of Pride & Prejudice has almost none. Which is very rare indeed.
28 years on, and I still binge watch it every few months, plus whenever I feel the need for that particular mood and atmosphere to dwell in for a while, like whenever I'm sick or sad.. It's the one and only for me too, as none of the older, and none of the newer versions come anywhere near this one. I absolutely LOVE it!
I totally agree with you!
I am always looking for zippers in the back of ladies' dresses. 😊
In its perfection, it does leave you with wonderfully soothing & lasting memories~ complete with the most magical music! So it's not surprising that people return to it so often~ it's beautifully therapautic.
@@annelousteau9799😂
Whoops, typo! Therapeutic!!
This is my favorite adaptation ❤
This is the best production in BBC history! Everything about it is perfect...made in the days when I didn't mind paying my tv licence. After all these years I prefer to watch this than anything they put on now
I have this on DVD and now of course you can find it streaming. I pretty much watch it at least once a year. It's my comfort viewing, and when I lost my mother in law and my father within weeks of each other, I watched pretty much every Jane Austen and Catherine Cookson adaptation I could find. This mini-series remains the best of the best. The actors were perfect. The script, the music, the locations. I don't think anything could have been improved upon.
Best portrayal of Pride and Prejudice ever!
Saw the 1995 p&p for the first time in 2024. Amazing! I think I've watched it maybe six times now. I just wish it would never end!
The writing was wonderful because it didn't change much in the book
My favorite series of all time! I watch it all the time 💖
Perfect from start to finish!
I tell my family that "I'm going to England!" Then I wash the dishes with a mirror that's perfectly angled so I can watch and wash at the same time.
Aww bless you
Such a fascinating and entertaining documentary!
This adaptation was all heart, funny, visually stunning and perfectly cast. True to the book, it has stood the test of time. ❤️
My daughter and I watch Pride and Prejudice at least 6-7 times a year and have for about 20 years. It’s so well done. You find yourself in the movie.
this is still my favourite version of prie and prejudice.the other later versions cant touch it with a barge pole
The absolute best version. My whole family has watched it over and over again.
This was and still is the best video ever made. The cast, the best ever, and just perfect in every way, made it so believable. I bought the video soon after I loaned it from the library in 2002 and we, our whole family parents, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren have watched it at least 30 times. I fell in love with the English language and have read the book about the same number of times. Thank you for enriching our lives all these years. ❤❤❤
I want to watch every time I see a clip. 18 years later
The quintessential version of P and P! A wonderful telling and the adherence to the original text makes it authentic….
Thank you to the Actors,Directors, Producers, musical directors, dance instructors, everyone. Thank you. ❤
Brocket Hall! I think of Rufus Sewell when I hear, "Brocket Hall." He is fantastic as Lord Melbourne.
Ditto 😁
First time I watched this I was 15 and our drama teacher played it for us on Fridays, and let me tell you how a class of freshmen in high school got SOOOO invested! Years later I made my now husband watch it and by the end of the third vhs (yep) he was impatient for the next. Lol. Good times.
This is a magnificent version, the definitive in my opinion. I have watched it many times, twice sitting with my hard-copy version of the novel (actually one of several copies) underlining the appropriate pieces of text. The script was wonderfully adapted, keeping the feel of Jane Austin. The casting was so perfect!
BTW, I have it on DVD and an electronic version. I did have it on video tape, but I wore it out!