Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #258 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-02-06
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Arabic, Bulgarian, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Hebrew, Icelandic, Norwegian, Portuguese, Romanian, Swedish, Turkish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 121 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Rightly winning wide acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic, this latest take on Jane Austen’s classic Pride & Prejudice is a real, all-round triumph. The age-old story still holds real resonance, and it follows the tale of five sisters dealing with love, and the many trials and tribulations that brings.

There are so many delights to director Joe Wright’s take on the story, and his direction is a strong place to start. In spite of having to condense the tale to fit a movie running time, he nonetheless injects a real energy and intelligence to his retelling, and he’s served supremely well by his cast. Backed up by strong support by the likes of Brenda Blethyn and Donald Sutherland, it’s Keira Knightley in the lead turn who’s a real surprise here. Her performance is a real joy, and very much at the core of the film’s success.

The film inevitably draws comparison with the superb 1995 BBC adaptation, and while arguably it doesn’t quite scale the same peaks, it’s to the credit of the filmmakers that their version still holds strong. For this is a tremendously enjoyable drama, and one that should continue to find an audience for a long time to come. An excellent film.--Simon Brew

Synopsis
This version of Jane Austen's fiercely beloved novel has the daunting task of living up not only to the classic book, but also to the excellent 1995 miniseries of the same name. Yet 2005's Pride and Prejudice is up to the task, thanks to lively pacing, a witty script, an excellent cast, and clever direction from British newcomer Joe Wright. The surprisingly still-relevant story follows the five Bennet sisters as they deal with suitors and love, as their mother desperately schemes to marry them off advantageously. Sweet-tempered beauty Jane (Rosamund Pike) develops feelings for the equally amiable and extremely wealthy Mr. Bingley (Simon Woods), but forces conspire to keep them apart while Lizzie (Keira Knightley) finds herself first appalled by, but gradually drawn to, Bingley's aloof, intelligent, and socially awkward friend, Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFayden). The movie, at just over two hours, is forced to cut and condense a number of the book's subplots, and at times it tries to heighten the drama of certain scenes. But, for the most part, it's as faithful to the spirit of the original as time and cinematic convention allow. The tremendous supporting cast includes Brenda Blethyn as Mrs. Bennet and Donald Sutherland as her wry, withdrawn husband; Jena Malone as teenage twit Lydia; Judi Dench, effortlessly haughty and imperious, as Lady Catherine de Bourg; and Tom Hollander, who steals every scene he's in as the ludicrously pompous and awkward Mr. Collins. The movie's script, adapted by Deborah Moggach, manages to be proto-feminist without becoming anachronistic and, like the novel, it is incisive about the class politics and gender inequalities of the day.

Customer Reviews

Dont watch
Do yourself a favour and dont insult your dvd player by putting this truly awful film in it. Instead buy the bbc adaptation with Colin Firth and Jennifer whatshername in it truly inspired and wonderful.

This is utter dishwater and the only saving grace is our Brenda and Mr Sutherland whose wonderful performances would if the film were not so bad maybe save the day.

Dont bother

An Insult to Jane Austen
The creators of this abomination chose a gothic style and directed it so it sounded as though Kiera Knightly was speaking at double speed ( I actually checked I was playing the dvd correctly!).
The characters are vaguely similar to those in the novel and even taking into account the fact the storyline may only skim that of the original how could anyone with any respect for the great authoress have allowed this to be made.
Yes it may be entertaining (although I couldn't find it so) but could have really been loosely based on any number of stories/characters from other books written around the same century!
If you love Jane Austen, please just brace yourself before viewing this.

Shockingly bad in every way
I find it hard to find one good reason why this film was ever made.
It pays no attention to period detail, the acting is very poor overall and the screenplay adulterates the marvelous original text. The wit and wonder of the Austen novel is replaced by some sort of dumbed-down chic lit hogwash.
Keira Knightly is an extremely limited actress and is a complete disaster in the main role with only two expressions, either looking sullen or giving a rabbity Sloan Ranger cheesey smile. Ghastly. The other actors fare little better.

Extremely irritating and pointless in every respect, and a waste of money in the making. In a word, Dire. Do not waste your money on this!

Buy the BBC version with Ehle and Firth which is superior in every way and respects the original and is simply the best rendition of the Austen novel in my opinion. The Greer Garson/Laurence Olivier 1940 version is excellent also.