Inquiring readers, ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,’ the movie, has finally arrived. Almost seven years ago I had a blast reviewing Seth Grahame-Smith’s audacious novel, ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’, and suggested a few satirical book plots of my own. Click here to read JAW’s review of Seth’s tome, which retained 15% of Jane Austen’s words and embellished Jane’s plot a wee bit by adding hordes of ravenous zombies that had overrun Regency England. For those who are eager to see the cinematic version of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ melded with Shaun of the Dead, may we suggest that you read the parody book before viewing the movie?
Quirk Books has asked me to recall some of my favorite scenes from the book. I invited my good friend, Hillary Major, to trip down memory lane with me. She had read Seth’s book front to back in 2007 and recently reacquainted herself with the plot by way of a fabulous graphic novel based on the book.
When I first read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, I was struck by the wit – the humorous juxtaposition of Austen’s words with Graham-Smith’s pulpy additions, as when Miss Bingley asserts that an accomplished woman “must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, dancing and the modern languages” as well as being “well trained in the fighting styles of the Kyoto masters and the tactics and weaponry of modern Europe.” As I re-familiarized myself by reading the graphic novel version of the book, I found much of the wit retained through the dialogue and (infrequent) captions. The graphic novel, of course, fleshes out the combat scenes and does a particularly good job of capturing the sorry stricken – from the former residents of Mrs. Beecham’s Home for Orphans to lamp oil salesgirl Penny McGregor to an undead Madonna and a certain longsuffering bride. The graphic novel pulls out the fun and the horror in the action sequences but also raises my curiosity about how the movie will put these scenes into motion.
But really, how interesting are zombies as villains? What’s their motivation? Yes, yes, I know, it’s a truth universally acknowledged: brains and more brains. Still, there’s a certain sameness and routine to a zombie enemy. Zombies are really only dangerous in numbers – unless you happen to be an unfortunate messenger or a cook, which Lizzie Bennet most emphatically is not. My favorite parts of the book (and graphic novel) jump out not because of how they deal with the scourge of unmentionables but because of the way they showcase Lizzie as a total badass, armed not just with rapier wit but with actual dagger and katana.
Lizzie’s competence, strategy, and skill in the deadly arts are singular from the beginning; we first see her “carving the Bennet crest in the handle of a new sword.” When Lizzie and her sisters first jump into action at the Lucas’ ball – responding to Mr. Bennett’s shouted command, “Pentagram of Death!” – it’s a stirring moment. (Darcy takes notice.)
But Elizabeth Bennet is a warrior worthy of an enemy greater than brainless zombies – thus, we meet Lady Catherine, commander of ninjas. Lady Catherine de Bourgh has always put the cat in catfight, and this comes to literal life in her final confrontation with Lizzie. Who hasn’t applauded Lizzie’s refusal to promise never to become betrothed to Darcy and wished the statement were punctuated by a punch in the Lady’s face? Here, the verbal showdown is prequel to a martial arts battle, one that takes place in the Bennets’ own dojo. Lady Catherine gets in a few good blows early on, but Lizzie comes back with a dagger thrust, and soon Lady Catherine is flying through the air, breaking rafters. In the midst of all the “flying about” in a leaping, kicking, katana-wielding martial arts fantasy of a fight, Lizzie descends (from an unbroken rafter) at a key moment and batters away her adversary’s sword, leaving Lady Catherine at her mercy. Lizzie lets her live, knowing she has been “bested by a girl for whom [she has] no regard,” showing more mercy than Catherine would have offered her (or than Lizzie shows the ninja retainers). It’s this throwdown and victory over Lady Catherine that truly sets up the ending of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, of Lizzie and Darcy fighting side by side.
For my part, gentle readers, I shall never forget how Charlotte Collins, nee Lucas, slowly turned into a zombie after being bitten by a ghoul. Lizzie promised to remain true to her friend, but as the poor woman’s physical condition deteriorated, it was hard for visitors not to notice her unfortunate appearance or the fact that she was wont to nibble on her hand. One really has to laugh at some of the more ridiculous scenes and one can’t help but wonder how the exuberant young Jane Austen, who wrote the ‘Juvenilia,’ would have reacted to this mashup of her most famous novel.
The powers that be in Hollywood took seven years to find a Lizzie (Lily James) and Darcy (Sam Riley) worthy of becoming skilled zombie fighters trained by the finest masters in the martial arts. To my way of thinking, Lena Heady’s turn in playing Lady Catherine de Bourgh with an eye patch is worth the price of admission alone.
While I understand that many Jane Austen fans will refuse to see the film, some of us in our Janeite group can’t wait to see it. Love or hate the idea, feel free to let us know your thoughts.
Jane Austen's World 
You judge correctly. I will not see the movie. However, to quote Mr. Darcy (from Pride and Prejudice the novel; that one): “I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours.”
Hah! Perfect reply.
I love the original of course, my dog eared copy will attest to that , but I’m not a purist & I remember what a lark it was to read the parody. I couldn’t stop laughing out loud it was so perfect & preposterous at the same time.
While on the fence about the casting choices (wit the exception of Matt Smith who can do no wrong & will make a smashing Mr.Collins …dedicated Whovian here! ;) ), I am looking forward to the movie & just hope it retains the witty humor of the book.
Some say the doesn’t parody the novel as well as the book. The again, Neil (below) says it does. Can’t wait to see for myself.
I saw a sneak preview a couple of weeks ago, Matt Smith stole EVERY scene he was in. Best part of the movie, in my opinion. It’s worth seeing if you don’t take it too seriously. If you’re a squeamish, I’d watch it on DVD and fast-forward through the zombie scenes, though they’re not nearly as gory as I expected.
You are spot on,Karen K., the secret to enjoying this kind of movie is definitely to not take it serious. As for squeamishness…..
Being a die hard Walking Dead fan I can honestly say any amount of zombie gore in this movie is guaranteed to be tame in comparison :)
To all those who think this is wrong in some way, I urge you to give it a go. I am a huge fan of the original and when my better half first bought this book, I was admittedly very skeptical – but to borrow Sam Riley’s comment “It works.’ I don’t know how it works, but it does work.”
And it is seriously entertaining as well. Where else will you discover exactly what the “Arc of Doom” is!!
Your comment gives me hope that my movie experience will not be in vain!
I just saw the trailer in the theater in a series of previews before The Revenant, which I had to walk out on after the great bear attack due to a lack of historical accuracy and relentless crude language. What was Lilly’s zombie movie doing among this group of previews, and The Revenant? They all had something in common – a monster movie soundtrack complete with a large chorus singing aaaaaaah, awwwwww, with sentimental violins and percussion punctuation. Were they all done in the same studio? Lilly looked wonderful in her costume and was competent enough in sword skills to look good on camera for a swipe or two. There was no real humor on display in the snippet I saw which was disappointing. Will pass up going to this one.
Many have had the same feeling about the film as you express. Thankfully, the trailer I saw was funny, so I still have high hopes. As for the Revenant, some people claim it’s a copy of a Richard Harris 1971 film.
I’ll never understand this decades fascination with zombies. I can picture lady Rose (Lilly James) as a beautiful Elizabeth Bennett, but fighting zombies? I give it a go just for the beauty and performance of Headey and Lilly
Here’s my thought. If you liked Shaun of the Dead and watch The Walking Dead, then you will be inclined to see the movie. If you cannot stomach zombies, ghouls, or violence, then the film’s tenuous link to Jane Austen will not save you from hating the plot.
I suppose it might be good but I have no desire to watch zombies. I do like the idea of Lizzie Bennet as a hero though.
Lizzie does have the aura of an audacious heroine, doesn’t she? Even in the more staid Pride and Prejudice.
No, thank you. I don’t like dwelling on blood and gore, even if it is surrounded by Jane Austen’s wit.
The book uses only 14% of Jane’s wit. Many claim that the book uses even less, depending more on Seth Grahame-Smith’s take on our heroine.
I will just view and judge it as an action film, just as long as it is not boring
Good point.
I was aware of the novel, and although I’ve not read it, it was on my list to get around to (someday). Now the movie is out, and I really DO wish to see it, but I probably SHOULD read it first. . .I love P&P, and I do not have a problem with seeing the characters in this fantasy. It’s always interesting to read something BASED on a dearly loved book, and maybe I am not a fan of every one of the many sequel, prequel, twists or tangents that some authors propose, there are still some very good works out there. Knowing that this is meant to be entertainment, I look forward to reading/seeing Pride & Prejudice & Zombies. Thank you for your review, as you are the one source I was relying on to give an opinion.
Not my sort of book or cinema. Nor is any of the Stan Lee/Marvel Comics junk.
I do, however, rather like the notion of Charlotte Lucas-Collins nibbling on her hand. If I were married to the Rev Collins, I’d do worse than that!
I think the cover of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is hilarious and would probably buy a poster of it if I saw it. The ‘author’ admitted that he retained 85% of the original out of copyright work, then cut-and-pasted in a few zombie ideas of his own and waited for the dollars to roll in. I would very much enjoy a good parody of P&P along these lines and written with due regard to the nature of the characters (I imagine Mary Bennet pontificating on what she has read in the least helpful text book on zombies in Mr Bennet’s library, even as the one who spells her doom approaches). While I admire Grahame-Smith’s entrepreneurial spirit I don’t feel inclined to waste my time and money on what I suspect is a good idea unrealized. I reserve judgement on the movie, however. It has a good cast, and the poster art is terrific, and with Matt Smith in the part Mr Collins might turn out to be (gulp) sexy!
Not my cup of tea but as Austen says in Mansfield Park ‘One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other.’ Enjoy the film!
Yuck.
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