The PBS Masterpiece Classic airing of the three installments of Pride and Prejudice 1995 is over, and Emma (with Kate Beckinsale) won’t be shown until March 23rd. For those of you experiencing Jane Austen viewer withdrawal symptoms, visit the Jane Austen blog from KCTS 9 to catch up with their insights. Or you may choose to compare the 1995 P&P version with the 2005 movie. Screen captures and movie clips sit below.
Pride and Prejudice, 2005: Click here to view a series of lovely screenshots of Longbourn, Meryton, Netherfield Park, and Pemberley, and see music videos as well. Then view the YouTube clips of some of the movie scenes below:
Was Keira Knightley perfect for the role of Lizzy? Click here to read a perspective that states she was too glamorous for the role.
This six-minute YouTube interview with Keira Knightley is about P&P and Mr. Darcy.
Jane Austen's World 
I had to laugh at the “doe-eyed stunner” comment in the quoted article about whether or not Keira Knightley was to glam to play Lizzy. I believe she was miscast, but not for the reason the article mentions. When I look at her, all I can see are her flaws, because I’ve never believed her as an actress in any role I’ve seen her in. There are a lot of other actresses out there who are a lot “less pretty” than KK who, to me, are much more attractive, simply because they can act . . . like Anna Maxwell Martin, who should have played the role of Jane in Becoming Jane, in my very humble opinion. :-)
Because I’d heard so many complaints about P&P2005 before it actually opened here in Nashville, I went into the theater fully expecting to hate it myself. While it’s no where near the top of my favorite JA adapatations (1995 Persuasion sits firmly atop that list), it’s not at the bottom either (2007 MP and 2007 Persuasion have that dishonor). I did mention in a blog entry about favorite kisses and almost-kisses that the first proposal scene in P&P2005 is one of my favorite almost-kisses. Even though I knew it was completely wrong, completely against the book, I was actually on the edge of my seat wanting Matthew to kiss her in that scene!
Such an insightful comment about Ms. Knightley, Kaye. I can absolutely see why Keira’s looks and acting would grate on you. I think of her as being a quirky, modern beauty, and as appropriate for her time as some actresses of the 1930’s or 1960’s were for theirs. Keira is also a one-note actress, and I find it hard to distinguish between her interpretations of Jules in Bend it Like Beckham, Lizzy in P&P, Elizabeth in the Pirate movies, and Cecilia in Atonement. The only fundamental things that change in Keira’s portrayals of these characters are their names, setting, and wardrobe. And yet she has that indefinable quality that lights up the screen.
I was one of those who disliked P&P 2005 at first, but the movie is growing on me. It is the same with Becoming Jane. Both are such lush and beautifully produced films, that one can’t help but get caught up in watching them. Like a true Janeite, I have seen both movies several times. The rain scene in P&P 2005 ranks among the best movie scenes ever. The other one that sticks in my mind is the scene in P&P 1995 when Lizzy and Mr. Darcy exchange tender glances as Georgianna plays the piano. In these few instances, movies are more powerful than the written word.
I have a soft spot for Matthew Macfadyen, but I haven’t seen the 2005 P&P. I just can’t quite bring myself. There is something too saucy and pert about KK that she brings unintentionally to all her roles, and I don’t think it was right for P&P. I think she was a bit miscast.
If I had to find something good to say about the casting for the 2005 film it would be that the leads were probably closer to their characters’ ages than in the miniseries.
I did not like it that Keira seemed to be so silly in the movie, giggly/silly. That really got on my last nerve.
Maybe I´m a bit late for this comment, but I quite agree with all your comments, KK is not a favourite for me.
KK is not a great actress, she only has that silly open mouthed grin that comes off as completely false.
And there were many things I didn´t like which seem rather silly but are quite important: She always looked dishevelled or downright shabby. I´m sure that a gentleman´s daughter like Elizabeth Bennet would always try to look her best, even if she´s not obviously “trying to attract a suitor” I thought she could look much better. Also, her hair looked awful in most scenes.
Of MM I can´t complain, I have had a crush on John Cusack for years and he´s very similar looking (very tall, dark hair and fair complexion) But sadly I think he comes off a tad boring.
I appreciate everyone’s comments, and I rather like the debate this simple post generated. Keira, the one note acting wonder, cannot compare to Jennifer Ehle, whose thespians skills are more subtle and complex. (Some would disagree with me, but it’s my blog and I’ll say what I want to :))
For my age group (teens): Knightley is wonderful, though I can understand why many other age groups would not like her. Many people my age do prefer the 2005 movie to the Ehle/Firth mini series:we can’t see why ladies drool over Firth!!! Knightley has a wicked tongue in the movie which makes the arguing scenes between her and Darcy and also Lady Catherine very enjoyable to watch!!
That article about Keira Knightley was full of it. She wasn’t too glamorous or beautiful for the role of Elizabeth. As good looking as she is, Rosamund Pike is slightly better looking. And I had no problems with Knightley’s performance. She was pretty damn good. She portrayed Elizabeth Bennett in her own style, while still sticking as close to the literary character as possible. I can say the same for the likes of Greer Garson, Elizabeth Garvie and Jennifer Ehle.
she was nominated for an Oscar. she is an accomplished actor ask Donald Sutherland he will tell you
I have to agree with other commenters here. I did not like KK as Elizabeth Bennet. I believe she was miscast for the same reasons: not the right personality for the role, and an apparent lack of ability to delve into and become a character. Jennifer Ehle was perfectly cast: she had the grace, wit, and understated restraint that Jane Austen described in the novel. While Lizzie was a bit unorthodox for her time, she did not completely disregard the rules, as evidenced by her disgust in her own sister Lydia’s wild behavior. As mentioned in a previous comment, KK looked and acted far too much like a tomboy to accurately portray Lizzie. I don’t know if the script or the director prompted that kind of portrayal, but that’s how it turned out. I also preferred Colin Firth for Mr. Darcy, b/c I thought he portrayed the character better.
In my opinion, the 2005 P & P felt a bit rushed, like the director was trying to create a faster pace. What he did was force the actors into spitting out dialogue rapidly so that the audience barely has time to appreciate the wit and humor in it. Two good things about that production were the cinematography and the music. Dario Marianelli is an excellent composer.