I adore the 2005 adaptation, Rosie. 🙂 I realize it’s (likely) less faithful than the miniseries but it’s just… so pretty, and well acted/directed.

I also enjoyed “Lost in Austen” (so much sassy fun!) and of course, “Death Comes to Pemberley” is really good too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

There are only four straight adaptations of “PRIDE AND PREJUDICE” that I have truly enjoyed – the 1940 version with Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier, the 1980 version with Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul; the 1995 version with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth; and the 2005 version with Keira Knightley. All are enjoyable to me and none of them are completely faithful.

There are also two other productions about “PRIDE AND PREJUDICE” that I have truly enjoyed – 2008’s “LOST IN AUSTEN” with Jemima Rooper and Elliot Cowan, and 2013’s “DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLY” with Anna Maxwell-Martin and Matthew Rhys.

Me too, Amber. Me too! It’s easy to do I think… and as you say, we all do it. 🙂 I’m not sure if I’ve seen the 2006 adaptation of Jane Eyre yet… I’ll have to check because I know there is one I still need to see.

To be fair, I’m not comparing this to the book but rather the other adaptations which is perhaps the least accurate thing to do. But given how well the miniseries adapts the book (my mom read the book and says it’s excellent as an adaptation), I suppose that’s where my personal thoughts partially stem from. You have an excellent grasp on how to look at films as adaptations. Generally I’m not critical either, especially if I like a film. As you say, it’s interesting to watch how someone interprets the story (even we, as viewers see things other don’t or take something away no one else does).

Personally, I believe different adaptations speak to different people for various reasons!” = YES! It is. I love discussing films with people, even with differing opinions. I enjoy a good discussion so long as that’s what it is; a good agree-to-disagree discussion. 🙂

Well said. I agree 100%! I do enjoy this one separate from my favorites and for that reason alone, I do feel it’s a great classic. 🙂

I find it very easy to latch onto a favorite adaptation and compare all others to it, so I hear you! Jane Eyre 2006!!! We all do it. That said, over time I learned how to watch various adaptations on their own merit as well, which helps with this film I think.

I let go of the fact that it’s not going to be just like the book or my favorite adaptation and appreciate it as someone’s interpretation. Each interpretation comes from the vision of the Director and how they interpret the story. It has their unique voice! I try to appreciate someone else’s interpretation of a story I love. (Though I can have some major disagreements with them for sure! And certainly some adaptations are objectively stinkers.) Plus, the time period a film or show is made also affects an adaptation because they bring out different universal themes from a story in different ways relevant to the time; kind of like folklore. And then I look at a classic film, for, instance, and watch it without a modern lens. I like to read classic books from the past that way too. But that’s just me!

Personally, I believe different adaptations speak to different people for various reasons! It’s fascinating seeing how people debate over what is their favorite version of a classic brought to the screen. I think it comes down to voice and which voice most closely matches our own. How we feel about a story! Just my rambling thoughts though on something we all do. So, as a separate entity I think Pride and Prejudice 1940 is a strong film even though it makes some hilarious departures from the book. 🙂

It’s a cute little adaptation to watch, Dixie-Ann! I smiled and giggled my way through, and for some reason, love that archery scene. Perhaps because it’s classic Elizabeth Bennet. 😀 I agree about the standard of pretty actresses playing unattractive people, especially in this era of filmmaking. I suppose I should have expressed my thought a bit differently. I don’t necessarily think the actresses that have played “plain” characters in later versions were unattractive either, but the make up artists did their job better; they styled the actresses to make them look less attractive rather than style them as beautifully as those who are supposed to be pretty. 🙂

Thanks, Brittaney! I’m glad you shared your thoughts. 🙂 I suspect any classic film fan will enjoy this one, no matter what. This one does have all of that classic 40s wit, which certainly brings lots of smiles when watching it.

I think if I separate this from being an Austen adaptation, I do quite enjoy it, Amber. It’s tough to remove Austen from the equation because the story is essentially her classic love/hate romance. As a 40s classic that’s a witty piece of filming, it’s cute. As a version of P&P, in comparison to the miniseries or 2005 film, it’s a tough sell. I’ve watched this one about three times now, and each time I do think I enjoy it a little more. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! 🙂