"Pride and Prejudice" (1995) TV mini-series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

14 January 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Romance | Drama

Plot:

Jane Austen's classic novel about the prejudice that occurred between the 19th century classes and the pride which would keep lovers apart.

Plot Keywords:

Jane Austen | Pride | Austen | Prejudice | Estate

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 7 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Jennifer Ehle	...	Elizabeth Bennet (6 episodes, 1995)
Colin Firth	...	Mr. Darcy (6 episodes, 1995)
Susannah Harker	...	Jane Bennet (6 episodes, 1995)
Julia Sawalha	...	Lydia Bennet (6 episodes, 1995)
Alison Steadman	...	Mrs. Bennet (6 episodes, 1995)
Benjamin Whitrow	...	Mr. Bennet (6 episodes, 1995)
Crispin Bonham-Carter	...	Mr. Bingley (6 episodes, 1995)
Polly Maberly	...	Kitty Bennet (6 episodes, 1995)
Lucy Briers	...	Mary Bennet (6 episodes, 1995)
Anna Chancellor	...	Miss Bingley (6 episodes, 1995)
Lucy Robinson	...	Mrs. Hurst (6 episodes, 1995)
Adrian Lukis	...	Wickham (5 episodes, 1995)
David Bamber	...	Mr. Collins (5 episodes, 1995)
Lucy Scott	...	Charlotte Lucas (5 episodes, 1995)
Marlene Sidaway	...	Hill, the housekeeper (4 episodes, 1995)
Barbara Leigh-Hunt	...	Lady Catherine de Bourgh (4 episodes, 1995)
Tim Wylton	...	Mr. Gardiner (4 episodes, 1995)
Rupert Vansittart	...	Mr. Hurst (4 episodes, 1995)
Joanna David	...	Mrs. Gardiner (4 episodes, 1995)
Nadia Chambers	...	Miss Anne de Bourgh (4 episodes, 1995)
David Bark-Jones	...	Lt. Denny (4 episodes, 1995)
Lynn Farleigh	...	Mrs. Phillips (4 episodes, 1995)
Lucy Davis	...	Maria Lucas (4 episodes, 1995)
Emilia Fox	...	Georgiana Darcy (3 episodes, 1995)
Christopher Benjamin	...	Sir William Lucas (3 episodes, 1995)
Kate O'Malley	...	Sarah, the maid (3 episodes, 1995)
Roger Barclay	...	Capt. Carter (3 episodes, 1995)
Norma Streader	...	Lady Lucas (3 episodes, 1995)
Paul Moriarty	...	Col. Forster (3 episodes, 1995)
Victoria Hamilton	...	Mrs. Forster (3 episodes, 1995)
Anthony Calf	...	Col. Fitzwilliam (2 episodes, 1995)
Sarah Legg	...	Hannah (2 episodes, 1995)
Annabel Taylor	...	Maggie, the maid (2 episodes, 1995)
Harriet Eastcott	...	Mrs. Jenkinson (2 episodes, 1995)
Natasha Isaacs	...	Alice Gardiner (2 episodes, 1995)
Marie-Louise Flamank	...	Kate Gardiner (2 episodes, 1995)
Roy Holder	...	Hodge, the gardener (2 episodes, 1995)
Julian Erleigh	...	William Gardiner (2 episodes, 1995)
Neville Phillips	...	Fossett, the footman (2 episodes, 1995)
Christopher Staines	...	Lt. Sanderson (2 episodes, 1995)
Jacob Casselden	...	Robert Gardiner (2 episodes, 1995)

Also Known As:

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (UK) (complete title)

Runtime:

300 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Finland:K-3 | Australia:G | Argentina:Atp | Portugal:M/6 (DVD rating) | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Belton House, Belton, Lincolnshire, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The dot-patterned beige muslin day dress with puffy sleeves Joanna David (Mrs. Gardiner) wears at the Inn at Lambton is the same costume Greta Scacchi (Mrs. Weston) wears at Randalls in Emma (1996), Barbara Flynn wears at the Towers in the opening scene of in "Wives and Daughters" (1999), and Georgia King (Pet Meagles) wears on the wharf in "Little Dorrit" (2008).

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: During the Netherfield Ball scene, we can see the reflection of the camera crew's lights in the mirror of the ballroom.

Quotes:

Charlotte Lucas: [discussing Mr Collins] Perhaps I should invite him to dine with us this evening.
Lydia: Aye, do, do. Take him away and feed him, for he's been in high dudgeon all morning.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "British Film Forever: Corsets, Cleavage and Country Houses: The Story of British Costume Drama (#1.4)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Pride and Prejudice

Probably the best BBC miniseries made-Austen would be proud...

This adaptation of the Jane Austen novel is really incredible. Set design and costumes are very believable and the acting is practically perfect for most of characters.

A few comments on costume: one of the most believable aspects of the details put into this miniseries has to do with the costumes. Elizabeth and Jane are both adorned simple enough to convey a Christian background and some decor and modesty, as they would have properly been dressed during this time, yet the costumers could have expanded their wardrobe as you see many times in American films (the 1999 version of Emma comes to mind here, particularly) and yet at the time, the women would *not* have had 10 different ensembles to wear at special events. I honestly admired the holding back of their wardrobes to a few gowns rather than having gone overboard as you often see! The women who were of higher stature were properly attired in their jewels and every costume fit the character and situation beautifully. This and the musical score are two of the biggest highlights, I felt.

I would also like to give props to Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth who were cast wonderfully. Jennifer was able to convey a sort of devilish satire and quick wit which I thought suited her exceedingly well and accentuated the wit Austen was trying to get across in the novel. Firth held back and it suited his character. He shows a quiet power, a feeling of disdain and complexity in his acting that worked well for the first half of the miniseries and then turned this into admiration and openness later as the story develops. By the time he declares his undying love to Elizabeth you get the impression he is ready to burst open and you breathe a huge sigh of relief for him, yet the energy continues to pulse. Its a great thing to watch..

I would recommend this miniseries to anyone, especially those not yet familiar with Austen. This specific miniseries is so well done many people I have watched it with have sparked incredible interests in the intrigues of Austen's works. Good job BBC!