I feel the desire to compare with summarized effort, the two movies depicting the famous romance in Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen. I wonder how the newer 2005 version can stand next to the 1995 A&E production. I don't wish to show one in superiority to the other, or to deeply delve into minute details, but just to show a mere overview.
The comparison begins with the heroine and star, Elizabeth Bennett. I see beyond the curvacious features of one, versus the stickly figure of the other, and also beyond the composed maturity of one, versus the giggly smirks that often accompany the other. This new story line chose to give Elizabeth a complete desire for secrecy, while A&E more accurately depicts Lizzy quite confident in confiding most of the story with her sister, with a few exception. I feel that was lacking that Keira was not as open and friendly with her sister as the book directs.
Of course with all the characters and their interminglings, 300 minutes to develop them versus only 129 minutes can hardly promote comparison. I feel that of course the lengthier version shows us more feelings and connections of the characters. However, the shorter of the two also allows sufficient scenes to depict the most important and controversial developments of the characters. I was also surprised that 2005's movie had more accurate dialogue in many scenes, but only in the few scenes they actually followed the dialogue Jane Austen has given us.
To single out another of my favorite characters, we must discuss Mr. Collins. Six hours does allow the viewer to grasp more of the moronic awkwardness that is the clergyman. Since comedy is the essence of this character, I was a little disappointed that the newer version only made it comical in the sense that he is a very short man. No doubt to me, the longer A&E casting was more superbly done in giving us the eloquent nonsense and not the cumbersome stuttering of a "shorter" Mr. Collins.
The music, while drastically different, was quite excellently done to form both movies. The music is beautiful, unique, and clever in it's way to completely surround the provoked mood of the scene, but the moods felt are the difference. A&E managed to create a certain melody that paired with certain characters to shape their position in a scene, while also creating a fast, uptempo main theme that creates the mood of a hunting chase. Focus Features perfected the romantic feel with a much more smooth and elegant piano melody. The music shapes one perfectly as fun and flirtacious, as the other is lovely and romantic.
The novel pay particular attention to the scenery of the area, which is spanned quite well in both films. The setting of the story surrounds the most beautiful acreage of England, which is projected perfectly on screen. Pemberley itself lends distinction as the type of property that any man of fortune would be eager to purchase.
Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, showed a perfect transition of emotions throughout their roles, while Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfayden deliver a more satisfying affectionate exchange. Looking particularly at the moment that their engagement is understood between them, the newer version is far more romantic and captivating for the hopeless dreamers, like me, while the older is more accurate, but a little less interesting. Lizzy chance encounter with Darcy at Pemberley however, was far more developed and entertaining with six hours building upon it, then in the rushed scene we see on the newer adaptation.
Singling out Joe Wright, he has earned the title of brilliance in one scene alone - the ball at Mr. Bingley's estate. It is a favorite scene of mine, with the blatant contrast of Bingley's and Darcy's elegance with the Bennett's less dignified way. The dancing scene with Darcy and Elizabeth is legendary, and the continued camera flow throughout the mansion truly puts the viewer there in the ball, with all the feelings of the evening.
It is apparent the success of both films. The theater release of 2005 gained the attention of four Oscar nominations. It was rated on IMDb with 7.8 out of 10 stars. It gathered the attention of many other award venues. 1995 posed a very substantial version that won an Emmy, and outstars the other with 9.3 out of 10 on the same website. The bulk of the success thriving from A&E's classic is that is has quite masterly transpired the test of time as a favorite for every generation. Only time will allow us to see if the newer version has the same capacity.
I would gladly watch either, though I am pleased that a more condensed version has been created to satisfy me even in my most hectic of schedules. Although, it must be told that only Jane Austen herself is the true author of romance for this story in her novel. Only by reading her story, can we then imagine Darcy and Elizabeth to be exactly who we want them to be.
The comparison begins with the heroine and star, Elizabeth Bennett. I see beyond the curvacious features of one, versus the stickly figure of the other, and also beyond the composed maturity of one, versus the giggly smirks that often accompany the other. This new story line chose to give Elizabeth a complete desire for secrecy, while A&E more accurately depicts Lizzy quite confident in confiding most of the story with her sister, with a few exception. I feel that was lacking that Keira was not as open and friendly with her sister as the book directs.
Of course with all the characters and their interminglings, 300 minutes to develop them versus only 129 minutes can hardly promote comparison. I feel that of course the lengthier version shows us more feelings and connections of the characters. However, the shorter of the two also allows sufficient scenes to depict the most important and controversial developments of the characters. I was also surprised that 2005's movie had more accurate dialogue in many scenes, but only in the few scenes they actually followed the dialogue Jane Austen has given us.
To single out another of my favorite characters, we must discuss Mr. Collins. Six hours does allow the viewer to grasp more of the moronic awkwardness that is the clergyman. Since comedy is the essence of this character, I was a little disappointed that the newer version only made it comical in the sense that he is a very short man. No doubt to me, the longer A&E casting was more superbly done in giving us the eloquent nonsense and not the cumbersome stuttering of a "shorter" Mr. Collins.
The music, while drastically different, was quite excellently done to form both movies. The music is beautiful, unique, and clever in it's way to completely surround the provoked mood of the scene, but the moods felt are the difference. A&E managed to create a certain melody that paired with certain characters to shape their position in a scene, while also creating a fast, uptempo main theme that creates the mood of a hunting chase. Focus Features perfected the romantic feel with a much more smooth and elegant piano melody. The music shapes one perfectly as fun and flirtacious, as the other is lovely and romantic.
The novel pay particular attention to the scenery of the area, which is spanned quite well in both films. The setting of the story surrounds the most beautiful acreage of England, which is projected perfectly on screen. Pemberley itself lends distinction as the type of property that any man of fortune would be eager to purchase.
Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, showed a perfect transition of emotions throughout their roles, while Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfayden deliver a more satisfying affectionate exchange. Looking particularly at the moment that their engagement is understood between them, the newer version is far more romantic and captivating for the hopeless dreamers, like me, while the older is more accurate, but a little less interesting. Lizzy chance encounter with Darcy at Pemberley however, was far more developed and entertaining with six hours building upon it, then in the rushed scene we see on the newer adaptation.
Singling out Joe Wright, he has earned the title of brilliance in one scene alone - the ball at Mr. Bingley's estate. It is a favorite scene of mine, with the blatant contrast of Bingley's and Darcy's elegance with the Bennett's less dignified way. The dancing scene with Darcy and Elizabeth is legendary, and the continued camera flow throughout the mansion truly puts the viewer there in the ball, with all the feelings of the evening.
It is apparent the success of both films. The theater release of 2005 gained the attention of four Oscar nominations. It was rated on IMDb with 7.8 out of 10 stars. It gathered the attention of many other award venues. 1995 posed a very substantial version that won an Emmy, and outstars the other with 9.3 out of 10 on the same website. The bulk of the success thriving from A&E's classic is that is has quite masterly transpired the test of time as a favorite for every generation. Only time will allow us to see if the newer version has the same capacity.
I would gladly watch either, though I am pleased that a more condensed version has been created to satisfy me even in my most hectic of schedules. Although, it must be told that only Jane Austen herself is the true author of romance for this story in her novel. Only by reading her story, can we then imagine Darcy and Elizabeth to be exactly who we want them to be.
About the Author:
Haylee Landford has a degree of Literary Studies, with particular emphasis in Jane Austen's work. She also writes as a guest author for Land For Sale where you can find your Pemberley.
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