Image by elycefeliz via Flickr I've completed the first (out of 24) steps to completing the Everything Austen Challenge. This Fourth of July weekend I watched the Pride and Prejudice (1995) DVD. Prior to this, I had only ever seen the Keira Knightley (2005) version.
What did I think of the 'original', if you will?
Well there were aspects that I really enjoyed. I loved how it went more into detail about what exactly was happening, flash backs and all. I agree with all other Addicts — Colin Firth did an amazing job as Mr. Darcy (although I did have my reservations at the beginning). Jennifer Ehle grew on me as Elizabeth Bennet. I also found Mrs. Bennet much easier to loathe in this version than in the 2005.
However, I can still pick out a couple things that I disliked about the 1995 version. It was long, and while part of me really loved all the details (like stated before), the other part of me grew bored and was just waiting for it to be over with. Because of this, I can see why Joe Wright (director of 2005 P&P) felt that some things needed to be cut. Also, I did not sense the same kind of passion between Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle and Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen.
Over all, I thought it was good movie (obviously!). I will return it to the library and perhaps I might buy it for myself for my birthday. But I'm in no outrageous rush to go watch it again right away.
I'm going to begin reading my first book for the challenge this week — The Man Who Loved Jane Austen. If you want to see what else is coming my way for the challenge — here's a link to my initial post. How's your Everything Austen Challenge going?