I used to regard A&E as one of the premier cable channels in the U.S. Known then as the Arts and Entertainment Network, it ran such prestigious shows as the 6-hr 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Inspector Morse, Midsommer Murders, and Biography. (These days this once admirable network features rubbish like Storage Wars, Duck Dynasty, Dog, the Bounty Hunter, Flipping Las Vegas, and Donny Loves Jenny.) Regardless of the transformation, I shall always be grateful to A&E for showcasing P&P in the fall of 1995. For six weeks we were treated to this marvelous adaptation of Jane Austen’s most famous novel. The mini-series held me spellbound (and my then husband as well). I wanted to be Lizzy to Colin Firth’s Mr. Darcy. What romantic-minded lady didn’t?
Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy and Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet
Rewatching the first minutes of the first episode, I was reminded of how compact and economical those opening scenes were – and how they crucially fed our expectations for the rest of the series. In interviews over the years, Andrew Davies, the screenwriter, said that he wanted to emphasize the lives of Regency men as well, and so the film opens with Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy racing through the fields on their steeds to view Netherfield Park, which was available to let. The relationship between Darcy and Bingley is immediately established – Bingley the eager puppy wanting his friend’s approval, and Darcy’s slightly caustic reply as a supportive older friend, cautioning him that he’ll find the society something savage.
As the two friends gallop away, the camera pans to Elizabeth, who pauses during her country walk to watch the men disappear. We follow the tomboyish Lizzy as she skips home over a dirt path, past a field with horses, and to the Bennet family home, Longbourn. Lizzy gazes through the window into her father’s study, while in the background we hear loud bickering between two young women. Mr. Bennet, holding a book in his right hand, rolls his eyes as Lizzy smiles in acknowledgment. This brief exchange demonstrates their close relationship in an instant.
We are then treated to a raucous scene in the parlor with Kitty, Lydia, and Mrs. Bennet in all their argumentative glory. Only Mary sits quietly, reading a book amid the mayhem. A calm, beautiful Jane greets Lizzy, who has just entered the hallway. Both respond to their mother’s shrill cries with half smiles and serene expressions. These scenes, in which the viewer meets quite a few of the principal characters, took all of 3 minutes.
We next see the Bennets at church in their Sunday best. The costumes are sumptuous; the locations are authentic – not the staged sets that were so prevalent in BBC dramas of the 70’s and 80’s. I recall the excitement I felt when I saw the care that the director and producers had taken to give us an “authentic” English Regency experience. Cameras followed the actors as they moved through the rooms of real houses and the lanes and paths of actual locations. The stilted production techniques inside studio interiors that used two or three fixed camera angles belonged to the past. The BBC and PBS had finally caught up with commercial television in shooting and producing drama that seemed realistic.
The church scene provides us with two of Jane Austen’s most famous lines. Mrs. Bennet runs after Mr. Bennet screeching, “Mr. Bennet, wonderful news. Netherfield Park is let at last!” We are then treated to the brilliant witty dialogue that Jane Austen crafted for Mr Bennet as he replies to his wife’s many suppositions and inanities.
Andrew Davies gives Lizzy the honor of speaking the novel’s famous opening line, “For a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” How apropos. Only 4:20 minutes have elapsed at this point. Even my ex, who had not read any of Jane’s novels, understood the plot for the full 6 episodes – two bachelors, five single girls, a silly mother, a sarcastic father, and romance and social history galore. We settled in for six hours of satisfying viewing time.
I could continue, but at this rate it would take me over 400 pages just to describe the first episode. Suffice it to say that I love Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy and prefer Jennifer Ehle as Lizzy (horrid wig and all) over Keira Knightley as Lizzy 2005. Some critics with modern sensibilities found Ehle too old and zaftig for the part of Lizzy Bennet. Jennifer was 25 when she took on the role, only 5 years older than Lizzy. (Twenty-five year old Julia Sawalha, who played 15 year old Lydia, was ten years older! And let’s not argue about 30-something Greer Garson playing Lizzy Bennet in 1940 P&P. Awful.)
Mary Anne Clarke by Adam Buck, 1809. View more images here.
As for Jennifer Ehle being too heavy for the part of a 20 year old Regency girl, those critics need only to examine images of that era to see that Jennifer was the perfect size to play Lizzy. Keira Knightley possesses the thin fashionable looks that suit our 21st century tastes, but not those that depict early 19th century beauties. Feel free to disagree.
The 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice also benefited from the immensely satisfying performances of Benjamin Whitrow as Mr Bennet, Alison Steadman as Mrs. Bennet, David Bamber as the incredibly silly Mr. Collins, and Barbara Leigh-Hunt as insufferable Lady Catherine de Bourgh. I found very little fault with the supporting actors, who played their roles to perfection. I can’t say how often I’ve seen this version of P&P – 12, 15 times? I’ve lost count. Be assured that I’ll enjoy many more viewings.
In case you wondered how Mr. and Mrs. Darcy would look after 15 years of marriage, here’s a lovely image.
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth 15 years later. Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle in 2010 after the King’s Speech premiere.
Additional bits of information about P&P 1995:
- **Costuming Pride and Prejudice (1995) at Frock Flicks: This blog provides a detailed discussion with multiple images. I highly recommend that you read this well-researched post.
- Behind the Scenes of Pride and Prejudice, published on Jennier Ehle (is made of awesome) blog.
- Pride and Prejudice: Behind the Scenes of Mr Darcy Swimming. Andrew Davies discusses the scene with Mr. Darcy swimming. YouTube video. 1:57 minutes.
- Pride and Prejudice blooper: YouTube video of Mr. Bingley’s speech drowned by an airplane.
- BBCs Pride and Prejudice page is archived and no longer updated. Still, there are some lovely bits of information left.
- Anna Chancellor, who played the best Miss Bingley in my opinion, is related to Jane Austen, who is her six-time great aunt (or 8 times, depending on the source). If you examine Anna’s striking eyes and compare them to the portraits of Jane’s father and brothers, and to the small watercolor that Cassandra had painted of her sister, and the way that all the family members set their mouths, you will notice the family resemblance. Genes will tell, even generations later.
Left to right; Anna Chancellor, Jane Austen, Rev. George Austen. Bottom: Francis (l) and Charles (r) Austen.
Jane Austen's World 
So very glad you’re back. Your voice has been missed.
I second Rachel’s comment and add that the 1995 is my favorite version as well. I’ve watched it many times and it never fails to delight me. And I agree about Ehle and standards of beauty–and whoever thinks she is zaftig…actually I have no (polite) words for that thought. Thank you for this post that helped me “see” the first episode without turning on my DVD player!
1995 hands down. It was simply amazing how it captured the characters. Makes me want to watch it for the…15th time?!
I do believe Mr Darcy and Lizzie Bennet finished the book, so to speak, before they finished the filming.
Love this reply. Thanks for my laugh this morning. I snorted my coffee.
I am very happy to be seeing new posts from you! This blog is so full of information that I was far from having exhausted it in your absence but it is a joy to see new messages. What a wonderful analysis of the first few minutes of the 1995 series – you explain so well why the whole thing worked. I think that Pride and Prejudice is the most suited of all of Jane Austen’s books for filming, because the greatest part of it is dialogue. A film maker who respects Miss Austen’s words and attends to the costuming and sets can’t really go wrong. Oh dear, what hope is there for any woman if Jennifer Ehle as she was in 1995 is considered too ‘zaftig’ for the part of an attractive young woman? I remember that at the time she was the one who received most of the attention from the reviewers, especially the male ones, and all of it favourable. Lately her performance has been eclipsed in public discussion by that of Colin Firth, largely thanks to Bridget Jones and her obsession with the wet shirt, I think. I didn’t much like the Keira Knightly movie – it seemed to me that the makers had forgotten that the book is very funny and had no idea what a caricature is – but I do enjoy comparing the several filmed versions. Malcolm Rennie was an excellent Mr Collins in the 1980 TV series and Frieda Inescourt was a very fine and haughty Miss Bingley in the 1940 movie.
It seems that Colin Firth was at first a very reluctant Mr. Darcy. He had to be courted and cajoled. It wasn’t until he studied Mr. Darcy’s character further that he agreed to act the part. Colin was very influential in his costuming choices and how his character would act or behave. He had come well prepared to play the hero. Sue Birtwistle and Susie Conklin provide behind the scenes glimpses of P&P in the Making of Pride and Prejudice.
Like you I have watched this production many times; .I think perhaps I may have watched it twice as many as your 12 -15? Probable at least 30 for me, however, though I think Jennifer Ehle is a delightful Elizabeth Bennet she is much to large, her father refers to her as my little Lizzy and Lady Catherine when suggesting that she stay a bit longer refers to Lizzy being quite small when saying that she might squeeze both Maria and Elizabeth into her barouche box.
I believe Miss Ehle is rather tall at 1.70m (5’6″); I’ve always thought that Claire Foy would have made the perfect Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
Our ABC TV stations in Australia are to run the full series again this month or next to celebrate the 20th anniversary of it’s first appearance and naturally it will be ad free.
I’ve never come across the expression zaftig and actually have no idea what it means except that it seems to refer to Miss Ehle’s looks,well being a bloke of mature years I think she was a darling then and still is, I prefer when she’s speaking with her English voice which I find much more becoming to her appearance than her twang. :roll:
Great observations regarding Lizzy’s height, LordBeari. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, zaftig means ” a woman : slightly fat in an attractive way : having a full, rounded figure.”
Well I wouldn’t say that Miss Ehle is fat, generously proportioned perhaps but still a bit to large for ‘my little Lizzy’. I still think Miss Foy fits the role so much better.
I liked Jennifer and Colin in those roles, but when I saw again recently, I found lizzy’s mother too painful to watch. I was fine with it the first time. It was my favorite version.
I didn’t like the 2005 as well when I saw it. I felt too much was devoted to scenery. It wasn’t until mr Darcy walked toward lizzy in the fog, that I really liked it. But now I really like this version. Not the best. Just a different take on it. Enjoy it for what it is.
Yeah, that fog scene was so romantic. I like P&P 2005, but what could director Joe Wright have done in 2 hours that would have even come close to competing with an excellent 6-hr production of the same novel? He had to cut so much of Jane’s intent. As for Alison Steadman’s interpretation of Mrs Bennet, yeah, it can be a bit over the top. She still makes me laugh, though.
I absolutely adore the 1995 version. I think all of the roles were well cast. They didn’t skip over anything or try to modernize it. Like you, I think I’ve watched it dozens of times and enjoy it each and every time. They didn’t sacrifice Lizzy and Jane’s relationship to focus on the Lizzy and Mr Darcy as the 2005 version did. I now know what I will be doing tomorrow – I will be re-watching Pride and Prejudice!
The problem with the 2005 version was that so much had to be cut out of the novel that we lost much of the fun side stories and observations of the minor characters.
I think Elizabeth Bennett is 22 years old in the book since she tells Lady Catherine that with three younger sisters out, she wouldn’t say her age and when Lady Catherine insists she says she is not one and twenty. I loved your analysis and am so happy you are writing again!
Thanks for reminding me to check Lizzy’s age again. She was 20, not 19, and I corrected the age difference.
Just so glad you’re back delighting us with your witticisms and intelligence.
I have seen both versions (1995 and 2005) and I love both Mr. Darcy’s. I agree with Janice, I watch both versions and enjoy them for what they are. I was especially enamored of Matthew MacFayden: his voice and that scene in the early morning fog when he approaches Longbourn. Ah! I really do appreciate both and the casting in both productions was outstanding. Jennifer Ehle is one of the finest actresses I’ve seen and brought Jane Austen’s Lizzy to life.
Ah, Matthew’s voice. Have you listened to his Haagen Dazs commercial? Lovely. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVWcoUVirbw
Love the 1995 version but pity the 1980 production is always forgotten about – although don’t know if the USA ever saw it? Clip here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKJl6vQQ7r4 but very short and you have to ignore the dreadful music superimposed by the poster. The Knightley film was dire – the actor playing Mr Darcy, to be frank, looks far too common for the role and is so far from handsome I can only think he had something on the casting person :(
Keira herself is beautiful but she was far too tall and far too thin – plus a friend who went to see it and missed the start was just thinking she made a pretty good Lydia when she realised she was supposed to be playing Lizzy!
Zaftig? No idea
Chris, I loved the 1980 version of P&P. We did see it in the U.S. For the first time, a BBC production showed some scenes outdoors. I especially liked Elizabeth Garvey as Elizabeth – she had spectacular eyes. And I swooned over David Rintoul as Mr. Darcy.
Zaftig means plump and pretty. From our modern perspective, any woman who isn’t skeletal is regarded as plump.
Any time a link is included in a comment I need to approve it. I had a problem with spammers for a while and spent days rectifying the situation. I will be more vigilant about approving comments in the future. So sorry. Vic
First time I’ve read the word ‘zaftig’! I agree about the body shapes. Perhaps the caricatures of the day tell us more, albeit exaggerated, about the female form likely to be commonly recognised. The gathered high waist of the Regency dress was not a very flattering one, even when smoothed over the front panel and over the long corset of the day. Any reenactor now will confirm this! The new soft fabrics, though finely woven, would also have hung less closely to the hips. Does anyone know how usual it was to cut the skirts on the cross, which would have had a less bulky appearance?
I’m not sure how prevalent cuts on the bias were. Certainly, this happened for sleeves and bodices, where a good, flexible fit was important. My thought is that fabric was so expensive in those days that very few ladies could afford to purchase or make gowns that “wasted” so much of the cloth. Portraits show how bulky the gowns made with stiffer fabrics looked on Regency ladies. Good question. Any experts on the topic?
I loved what you wrote about how clever the 1995 series was in setting the scene within the first few minutes, although I didn’t actually think about it until you said. I quite often miss things like that, I just know when something is quality, but I quite often can’t articulate why, but you did it so well. I think the 1995 version is quintessential, it follows the book and picks up all the nuances perfectly, both the comedy, the silliness and the drama. My sister and I love this series and watch it every couple of years I’d say, and I’ve commented to her many times how every single actor is so incredibly perfect for their role, they didn’t miss a single beat.
I loved Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth and think she is beautiful. She had that sparkle that made it easy to see how Lizzie caught Mr Darcy’s eye. David Bamber totally nailed silly Mr Collins and Alison Steadman likewise was so perfectly annoying as Mrs Bennett. I like Matthew McFadyen but I can’t imagine anyone else other than Colin Firth as Mr Darcy. If I had to pick on anyone it would be the actress who played Jane, as I (gasp) didn’t think she was beautiful and thought she was the weakest link, although acceptable.
I disliked intensely the 2005 version as I didn’t think Keira Knightly was right for the role and the whole production missed as far as I’m concerned. I believe you are right about Jennifer Ehle not being too ‘big’ for the role, she may have been too tall, but in terms of weight, beauty back then was not being a stick like it is now, times have changed. I didn’t realise Jennifer Ehle was wearing a wig! I suppose that makes sense, but isn’t that the hairstyle of the time? You wouldn’t get a way with that now, but I’m pretty sure that’s how it was back then.
I might watch it again later this week. Feel free to write more about this series, there can never be too much written about it! I often have wished the people who made this series had done more as they knew exactly what they were doing.
I used to dislike Susannah Harker as Jane, not thinking her more beautiful than Jennifer Ehle. Jane’s sweetness shines through in Susannah’s performance, however, and she has grown on me. Rosamund Pike is the one actress in P&P 2005 who is an improvement, IMO.
To view regency hairstyles, see the images I collected on my Pinterest board for Regency Hairstyles. Back in those days, ladies used paper curlers and curling irons to create those rows and rows of ringlets. What an arduous task! https://www.pinterest.com/janeaustenworld/regency-hairstyles/
Looking at Jennifer Ehle’s real hair, it is similar to mine – nondescript in color and straight as a board. Her wig is the only thing that annoys me about her character in this production, but I suppose it was necessary to give her the full regency curl.
My thoughts exactly! Jane in the 1995 version wasn’t pretty enough and I now know she was pregnant when she filmed some of her scenes, but if anyone was zaftig it was her. Rosamund Pike’s Jane was exactly how I imagined Jane should look.
I agree with everything youv’ve written regarding this splendid series, its cast, the settings, and the brlliance of its dialogue. And Ms Ehle had/has a *much* better figure than Scarecrow Knightley, no matter what the century!
My sentiments exactly. I was looking forward to similarly satisfying productions from the History and National Geographic channels along with A&E. What a disappointment to find those stations populated with TV trash writing of the lowest level. What to do; except go back to the source: Jane Austen.
I enjoyed your visual comparison of actor Anna Chancellor to members of the Austen family. There does seem to be something in the set of those mouth lines. I thought Anna’s performance rivaled my former favorite: Frieda Inescourt’s, but my favorite reenactment of Mr. Bennet still goes to Edmund Gwenn.
Oh, Edmund Gwenn. Yes! He and Benjamin Whitrow are both so satisfying as Mr. Bennet.
Is there a problem with my comment? Given that it is still awaiting moderation
and you are happily replying to messages apparently sent hours after mine? Or is your blog restricted to Americans? I have tried to delete the comment but don’t see how, sorry
Hi Chris, No problem. My blog is unrestricted except for comments that contain a link. Let me check my folders to see what happened to it. Vic
Situation rectified.
So sorry about the link, did not realise. Many thanks for sorting it, I am grateful
For me, along with Edmund Gwenn, Edna May Oliver and Melville Cooper’s performances have never been bested either; as much as I enjoy (and re-watch from time to time) the most excellent 1995 P&P.
I love the Colin Firth version. As for Lizzie, from my reading of the book, I never expected her to be “beautiful” so much as interesting and spirited, and I think these qualities come over pretty well.
You have so beautifully described why the 1995 P&P is truly superb! I’m in tears just reading your words! I think Jane herself is looking down at us and saying “Yes!!! It was done right!” Thank you, thank you, thank you
Lillian
I was living in England at the time: I remember the thrill of reading an article on the upcoming series on Radio Times, the thrill of the opening credits… The airing of the last episode coincided with a trip to France, so left the VHS recording and watching it was the first thing I did on my return; even before unpacking! I had not yet read Pride and Prejudice so I savoured it in a different way as to how I do it now. Yes, I own a VHS copy and yes I own a DVD copy and, after reading your post, I am thinking of starting to watch it again this week!
Well, I am off to watch this production for perhaps the tenth time, so thanks! And I learned a new word–“zaftig.” I’ve always loved Jennifer Ehle’s performance as Lizzy and never even noticed that she might be considered too voluptuous. And I think a father could easily call his daughter “my little Lizzy” as an endearment no matter what her size.
I saw this on PBS several years ago and enjoyed it. When I saw it, it was shown in 2 parts, each ran in a 3 hour time slot. No commercials! :)
Thanks, Vic, for this great review on my favorite version of Pride and Prejudice. I never get tired of it because it’s so well done – both production and acting. And I remember Colin Firth being interviewed on the Tonight Show a year or two ago, telling about the wet shirt scene. Apparently it still embarrassed him.
And I’m glad you mentioned A&E…where exactly are the Arts these days? I’m like you – I got hooked on some great British productions on that channel back then. Now? Absolute sludge from beginning to end.
1995 is my favorite version and being a musician I am taken in immediately by the lighthearted overture that plays, and as someone who loves to sew, also by the beautiful embroidery and delicate buttons on the shimmery fabric. It’s such a feel good moment which sets me up for the whole series. I could watch it over and over again just to discover something I missed on the previous viewings. Thanks! Jen Red
Indeed, I love the opening music and almost mentioned the overture during my introduction. The embroidery will be addressed via buttons in the next post!
Vic,
Well…my maniac of a touch pad just knocked me onto another article as I was closing my comments on this topic (so lucky for all, this will be much briefer)!
I’ve just finished watching the 5th episode of P & P 1995 version (yet again) as I’ve been home bound waiting for a surgery & biopsy next week. One of the things I realized about this near perfect production, was how wonderful the beautiful images of embroidery, lace, and fine fabrics and the opening music is. I’ve seen it at least 17 times but this time took note of how happy the intro makes me feel!
I find it baffling that some ‘critics’ thought Jennifer E. either “too old” or “too heavy” for this role. Who are these people and do they not realize anything about social norms from that era of history? While Ms. Ehle was 25, she had the (beautiful) complexion of an 18 or 19 year old – especially for that time period. People looked much older for their years then as opposed to today for many reasons.
As you mentioned, Julia S. who played Lydia at 15, was also 25 years old, and even fuller figured during the making of that movie than Ehle. BOTH women had figures that were closer to the women of that era (and actually, may have had even fuller figures in real life – in that era, and been considered quite alluring).
On the other hand (while I do admire her acting abilities) Kiera Knightley was entirely too thin to have been considered the least bit attractive in the late 18th/early 19th century. In fact she would have been thought to be A) ill to be so thin or, B) malnourished and likely poor. Men in those days were looking for healthy, fertile young wives to give them heirs, and Ms. Knightly with her tall, ultra thin body would have not been considered a ‘desirable candidate.’ The actresses playing her sisters were all rail thin too – especially “Lydia.” Although I do agree that Rosamund Pike – who’s recently gone on to considerable fame, did make a beautiful “Jane,” if only she’d been a tad bit more curvy.
I DO realize that Joe Wright was putting his cutting edge spin on a period piece by making it more modern for today’s younger audience (and if that exposes more people of a younger age to Jane Austen, then great)! However, for me it also meant some gaffes that I couldn’t quite tolerate; from the scraggly and inappropriate hair styles, the bizarrely inconsistent waistlines, to the overly outspoken and feisty characterization of Eliza Bennet played by Kiera. Jennifer Ehle nailed that character without being overly outspoken or brash – which would have been considered rude and socially offensive. Then there’s that slight problem with Caroline Bingley forgetting her ballgown and showing up in just her under shift ;-).
No doubt to many of us who’ve read Ms. Austen’s most loved novel many times, we recognize that the actors and their portrayals, the costumes, hair styles, indoor sets and lighting, music, and majestic outdoor scenes (CGI-free from what I can tell), will likely be considered the best ever adaptation of Pride & Prejudice.
PS Loved the pic of Jennifer and Colin “15 years later” at the premier of “The King’s Speech.” They both looked as good as they did in P & P (and Ms Ehle did not look a bit “heavy”)!
Lacy, I hate it when I’ve spent time on a reply that gets kicked off. Your second comment made some great observations that are aligned to my way of thinking. I savor P&P 95 like a fine cognac – slowly and with a connoisseur’s relish.
Vic,
What a lovely metaphor about savoring P & P 1995 series, “a fine cognac – slowly and with a connoisseur’s relish!” So glad to see you back on board your unique and delightful blog about one of our favorite authors and, her practically perfect novels from that mesmerizing Regency Era!
Thank you, JacyJul.
Vic, I so agree with you. And I must tell you once again how wonderful it is to have you back in the blogosphere!
Thank you, Jean. It’s so nice to read comments from my online friends. I have missed you all.