Except the Wickham character wasn’t as good looking as the book implies. I read someone else was supposed to play Wickham and they had to make a last minute change.
This will sound incredibly corny, but for me Colin Firth is one of those people whom whenever I see him in interviews/films he doesn't seem to smile a great deal. But when he does, it's literally like watching the sun come through the clouds. Almost stops my heart every time I see it. 🥰❤️
I agree, Colin’s smile is alluring and so earnest….you described it wonderfully, have you seen Valmont? that’s the first time I noticed how mesmerizing it is
I believe he takes life and his roles seriously. He is a decent good man imo apart from being a brilliant actor. I am so sorry his marriage broke up. Imagine cheating on Colin!!
I love how well Colin Firth understands the intricacies of his character Mr Darcy. He perfectly grasps the complexities of human nature Austen instilled into her characters.
He’s so right about how difficult it is to play Elizabeth’s mixture of liveliness and prudence. That’s a key point where the 2006 film failed for me; her behaviour was more befitting one of the younger sisters. Jennifer Ehle nailed it.
@@priscillawagner6205 True, but the movie wasted a ton of time with Elizabeth "on-her-own-pretending-to-be-reflective" Bennet, played horrifically by KK.
Perfectly said. Keira Knightley did not manage to show this fascinating mixture of prudence and liveliness. For the actress, it was seemingly central to show the attraction between Elizabeth and Darcy before Elizabeth learned the truth about Wickham. The attraction was definitely there, but it was the end of the 18th century, not the 20th in England. The real English ladies, as Darcy would describe them, were very reserved when it came to showing their feelings, whether positive or negative. KK has made it very clear how she feels. She won over all those viewers who don't know much about Jane Austen and her time, but lost the true Jane Austen fans. Jennifer Erle, on the other hand, perfectly traded the center, showing enough liveleness to understand why Darcy fell in love with Elizabeth in the first place, but all to the degree befitting an English lady of the time.
Keira Knightley just felt too one-dimensional as Elizabeth; the decisions the filmmakers made to condense the story also killed the depiction of her prudent, sensible side. KK just didn't seem to fit in the world of P&P to me; perhaps a different Austen character, like Marianne Dashwood, would have been more suitable. If one go cross time and swap her and 1995 Kate Winslet, I think both versions' characters would've been better. I think Winslet had more potential for depth than KK who has always seemed wooden with her uncloseable mouth acting.
Though my dear mother in law has passed away, Pride and Prejudice was a movie we shared watching together more than once. We only had the VHS tapes 2 decades ago, but we had such great bonding take place. Once, we decided to binge watch the whole series in one evening. We made a special dinner, had a fancy dessert and tea in pretty tea cups. She had never read the book or seen anything about it, so I truly treasure these dear memories💖 Thank you Jennifer and Colin and the whole cast for bringing Pride and Prejudice to life.
It's so interesting to hear Colin Firth talking about his role as Darcy. This actor sounds intelligent and thoughtful, and these qualities may be seen to be at the root of the complicated, changeable Darcy. One of the reasons this mini-series was a spectacular success is, of course, Colin Firth's portrayal of Darcy, and I do think Firth shows more of Darcy's inner conflict than I've seen in any other actor playing the character. Firth's Darcy is a quiet man, but you do see feeling in his face well before Darcy seems to know what he feels.
Actually when you read P & P, you find that by page 19, Darcy is very interested in her "fine eyes." He is already hooked. She dislikes him at least half the novel.
Jennifer Ehle was equally hopeless. She was too old (Elizabeth is 19) conceited and too 'knowing.' She also wasn't pretty enough. The Bennett girls are described at one point as all being beautiful, and Elizabeth as Charlotte's "pretty friend." Although not as statuesque as Jane, the inference is that she's _sexier,_ a bubbly little firecracker Think Kylie Minogue when she was in neighbours -with a brain attached. Which, best of all, she doesn't show unless she has to. Every thinking bloke's dream. Now do you see why a man like Darcy would fall for her!
Firth certainly plays Darcy as if Elizabeth is very nearly first love at first sight. There are so many wonderful closeups of Darcy looking at her with hunger and longing and struggling to resist. You'd think she was a box of chocolates and him trying to stick to a diet. He is utterly charmed but angry with himself for it. All of his life he has lived up to his station and a woman of Miss Bennett's prospects fits nowhere in that landscape. It is a great discomfort when he realizes he no longer belongs in his own world anymore than she because he is now attached to her. Duty and public opinion are never going to be enough again, not without Elizabeth.
Austen provides the answers in the dialogue she wrote for Mr. Darcy. She had Darcy say that he didn't want to be smitten, and entangled, with a woman beneath his station. He solidified that opinion by his attempt to keep Mr. Bingley from falling for a woman beneath him too. Outside of his bias against marrying below his station, he has a strong desire to treat everyone well, even those who are far below him. His snobbishness is not universal, but very focused. The only other people who make him run cold are sycophants like Mr. Collins. People who only see him as a resource that they might utilize for their own benefit. He is a single man, and he fully understands what is expected of him in the decision he is supposed to make regarding a potential wife. He wants to do the right thing, but he found his attraction to Lizzie to be very inconvenient to his desire to do the right thing. He was irritated at her for being so attractive while not being available to him, according to what he has been taught since he was a child. Lizzie is fairly pretty, but not gorgeous. Darcy has certainly met better looking women. Lizzie is reasonably intelligent, and Darcy appreciates that. But it must be obvious that the main thing that attracts him to her is that she's probably the first female he's met in his life who hasn't sucked up to him like a vacuum cleaner. That she is not chasing him like a dog for a rabbit, has to be a surprise, and something that's appealing to him. She is not intentionally playing a game of hard to get, but her actions have the same effect on him as if she were. Since her rebuffs are presented to him in response to his alleged moral deficiencies, and he is keenly aware that he suffers from genuine moral deficiencies, he does not easily dismiss her accusations even though he knows that most of them are meritless. He is impressed by her moral stand, which he sees as honorable since she has nothing tangible to gain for it. I think that Mr. Darcy would give Miss Lizzy the following grades for a single woman: Beauty: B Intelligence: A Courage: A Wit: A Compassion: A Sincerity: A Integrity: A Sense of responsibility: A Not being a gold digger: A++ Jumping to conclusions: D
@@gemmag.2988 Thank you for the kind words. I am not a writer. I don't have anything that I'm burning to say. But mostly, I work at my income producing job now and I covet my free time too much to spend it in the very hard work it takes to write to a high standard. Maybe the stars will align after I retire. I'd need to be hit by a very inspiring concept and have enough money coming in to devote to an activity that has no guarantee of producing a penny of income. They say that everyone has at least one good novel in them. That may be true, and it may be true of me. But I think that saying is actually relating that real writers grind out book after book like a donkey turning a mill. Real writers do it even though it is hard to come up with ideas, and even harder to create characters who don't just seem real, but fit into the story as perfectly as a jigsaw piece fits into its puzzle. Are you a writer?
His portrayal of Mr Darcy is perfect. And his analysis and understanding of the book and Mr. Darcy as revealed by this video is superb as expected of a man with such a portrayal. Truly extraordinary!
Of all the P&J productions I have seen, Colin Firth delivered the only believable characterization of Mr Darcy. It was in the subtle jesters this character was brought to life and Colin Firth proved his extraordinary acting abilities.
I saw the series again today for Colin Firth .The Best Adaption of Pride and Prejudice - Colin Firth Immortalized Mr. Darcy for us. He's such a brilliant actor.
I think he felt the love when he was surprised by Elizabeth by the garden, who had walked all the way to Binglys house to see her sister. I think he became bewitched right then, because he saw this act of affection towards her sister like he is towards his. And Elizabeth didn’t care if he or the others realized she arrived on foot and looking disheveled. I guess that intrigued Darcy more and decided to learn more about her personality by observing her while she stayed to care for her sister.
That's a good point about her affection for Jane mirroring his affection for his own sister! No wonder it's the first thing Darcy brings up in the book at the end when Lizzy teases him for liking her impertinence without knowing any real good of her.
I feel Colin Firth cannot be duplicated even if I saw his clone. Colin Firth is an excellent actor and was so happy when he won his Oscar for the "King's Speech" and his performance outstanding! I loved how he showed us his vulnerability to me it really counts when actors or actresses can actually allow the public to see how their performance is more important than their own ego. For that I commend him for it. Congratulations!
The best Darcy I have ever seen, no other,I really love this story, I learnt as an English Literature subject when I was 17 years old, now I am sixty and still love to watch it over and over
I fell in love with the series when I first watched it, bought the videos as soon as they were available, then the cd's. Watch once a year. My all time favorite.
Every actor in this adaptation was perfectly chosen! From Darcy, Elizabeth, Mr. Collins, all of them. Perhaps the most perfect movie experience I have ever witnessed. :)
Actually I think it was when he saw her walking thru the mud to get to her sick sister. As much as he loved his own sister, that would mean a lot to him, because you know he'd do the same thing if he had to.
I think he loved her before that, At the Lucas's party he was already looking at her with intense passion: when he bows to her after she refuses to dance with him, he is submitting in complete defeat.
@@philomenamuinzer4805 I hear you. She definitely caught his attention by declining his invitation to dance. The scene with the dog isn't in the novel, but it's a really sweet moment; a more in-love than in-lust moment.
The BBC miniseries is of course, the best of the lot, though I have some affection for Greer Garson and Olivier, and am coming to like the newest film with Knightly. But the BBC miniseries is the most faithful to the book, having 5+ hours to display! Every note is there. And yes, the two leads are ...I don't know a word that's adequate...fabulous? marvelous? superb? No words are adequate. Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth use their faces superbly. Like when Elizabeth raises her eyebrows. Or when she looks slightly uncomfortable for a moment when she had been having a good time, but guardedly. She is consummate professional. And Firth certainly deserves all the praise heaped on him. The tiniest facial gestures like when he encounters Elizabeth coming out of the fields and says, "On foot!" and then a moment later his whole body and face say, "right this way" when Elizabeth asks him to take her to here sister. This is a superb production full of superb performances from everyone in front of and behind the cameras.
surrepeight I always did like Olivier in the roll, though he will always be my Maxim De Winter, and Greer has that twinkle in her eye. I have been recomended the 1980 production which is also a miniseries, but I haven’t seen it myself.
Which is why the 1995 version is better than the 2005. Ehle and Firth conveyed so much about their characters through facial expressions and body language. Their seasoned acting brought Jane Austen's book to life and gave it depth.
When you see the movie after this series you realize how awful the movie was. The costumes were all wrong and the aunt LIKES Elizabeth. I used to love the movie until I saw this version. Why anyone wants to redo this book after the excellent Firth/Ehle took it on is beyond me. How could anyone improve on this? The details in this version were what made it exquisite. The other characters are perfectly cast. And when you see the recorded version it has more detail in it. The only thing is that the book does not end with the two marriages. It ends with the mother dying and the father being a regular visitor at Pemberle. I know that the happily ever after ending is heavenly, but there is something lovely about the way the father finally gets his chance at calm and happiness, too.
@@MissCaraMint The 1995 version will always be my favorite but the 1980 version has its merits. It's quite faithful to the novel and Elizabeth Garvie is a wonderful Lizzy. Of all of the actresses who have played Lizzy, Ms. Garvie looks the most like how I imagine Elizabeth physically myself.
I do not think that Darcy is complicated. He is complex, but not complicated. He and Elizabeth are both protagonists and antagonists with regards to the book and each other--protagonists in that they are both integral to moving the plot forward and antagonists as regards their relationship with each other. I read this first at age 13--almost sixty years ago now, and that was my impression then as it is now. When my 8th grade teacher asked our class if we were disappointed that Darcy and Elizabeth didn't get together earlier, I said I was not. Were they to become involved in the earliest part of the book (Netherfield), there would have been no story. Had she accepted his first proposal, she would not have been true to herself and the story would have ended there. By Darcy's third interaction with her, they have both grown up/matured enough to see each other's worth as individuals and to have a marriage based on mutual affection, respect, and shared interests.
Had she gotten together with him when he first asked they would have had a terribly unhappy marraige. Neither would have really have been happy. They needed to sort themselves out to be happy.
It is embodiment of what Jane Austen believed abt marriage. Both parties shd be in love. JA apparently did get a marriage proposal when she was abt 26. She declined the proposal bc she didnt love the guy.
Well. Not only would it not have supported the plot, it wouldn't be true to life to the characters. You could change the dialogue and modernize the setting and create a Darcy and Elizabeth we would recognize today. And those people would have the same preconceptions Austen attributed to them, and they would behave in the same way, because they're very realistic characters. In fact, didn't somebody say in one of their interviews that Bridget Jones was a kind of P&P in modern times?
@@ErynnSchwellinger Happiness in marriage and love in marriage were only emerging concepts at the time. The idea was to forge an alliance with someone who could afford to support you and children, further political aims if possible, and expand property holdings.
He is also very funny. There is this interview he did when he talked abt his 3 fingers getting caught between 2 window panes. It was like a laugh a second. I wish i had downloaded that interview. I am sorry i cant give more details. Just like me always missing/forgetting all the details.
This is interesting because it nails down something I'd been trying to work out about the Matthew McFadden Darcy. Because McFadden's good, and the movie is good, but the Darcy always felt a bit... too obvious. Too sentimental, too vulnerable. And Firth nails it here, because what they did was they tried to ingratiate him to the audience from the start, and as he says, you really need to do the reverse.
MacFadyen played Darcy as basically shy, over compensating for it, and hiding behind his social position as well. He was keeping in mind that phrase "I have not the gift of talking easily with people I don't know." Firth took his inspiration from the Darcy's comments near the end, where he was raised with the proper values, but not corrected to exhibit them. Interesting choices that change the presentation of the character.
@@mikespangler98 I think part of an actor's problem with portraying him is that Austen never looks at him from very far beyond what Elizabeth sees. Austen barely showed men talking together because she said she'd never witnessed such things, thus we only really see quite a narrow view of him - with dialogue and behaviour that's rarely adequately explained. He goes from rude, snobbish and dull - to the point of wondering why on earth Bingley likes him - (we have to take his word for it that he's usually nicer, but he still behaves like a total dick at the Meryton ball, even by the standards of his time), to judgemental and misanthropic at Netherfield, to something between St Francis of Assisi and a Victorian philanthropist according to the housekeeper's description of him. It's up to the reader to try and fill the gaps as best they can from all these fragments because Austen doesn't. Hence different actors have different interpretations of how to play him. fwiw- I've long felt that since irl a leopard rarely changes its spots, he'd never actually get over his snobbery and anti-social, curmudgeonly behaviour, and Elizabeth - despite the £10K a year -would end up pretty annoyed with him. But for a story of a man being miraculously redeemed via the love of a remarkable woman, it's good fun..
phoebephoebo .sydney It’s clear that Darcy doesn’t suddenly do a 180 just because some pretty girl calls him on his bullshit. The key to understanding that character is the fact that the title of pride and prejedice reffers to both of our main characters in equal measure. They are both proud and unbending people who do have a deal of prejedice against each other. Darcy Is applauderer by the way her family behaves, while Elizabeth (with help from Wikham) holdes prejadice against Darcy from those words he said about her at that ball. Well that and the way Miss Bingley, and Mr and Mrs Hirst behave. It’s actually only because Mr Bingley is so open and friendly that he escapes that prejadice himself. Basically we have a heavily biased narrater, and as we all know somebody we don’t like could just breathe and we would be irritated by them. They both get a real wake up call and as soutch both have to deal with the fact that they have both behaved poorly to some degree. Darcy get’s his from his failed proposal where he is confronted with the very real concequences of getting Bingley to break it off with Jane, and Elizabeth get’s hers form the letter in which Darcy details of what happened with Wickham. They both need to face facts that they were too proud to aknowlege to themselves. Elizabeth reflects and comes to an understanding how her family really don’t behave as they should, while Darcy must face the reality that his best friend actually had a mutually affectionet understanding with Jane and that it was ruineddue to Darcy’s own actions. Then of course there is the part about how Darcy genuenly feels responsable for how Wickham eloped with Lydia. THat’s what makes it so interesting. There are so manny layers to the characters.
@@scattygirl1 Darcy wasn't a bad person though. He couldn't stand Caroline or Catherine's snobbery and had no intention of marrying Anne because she was boring. But he had excellent relationships with his servants and tenants. But he had high expectation for both himself and those around him and it was a huge struggle when he could not meet them. Unlike his former friend Wickham. He was also extremely introverted. He was also used to people throwing themselves at him for his money. He liked the Gardeners because they were not social mountaineers, unlike Mrs Bennett. He's one of those people who it is really hard to become friends with and they try and push people away but when they are your friend they will be the best friend you've ever had.
Darcy may have the most character development, oddly, but Elizabeth is the most complex and we get the most insight into her mind as she undergoes major character development as well
Giorgiana Darcy has but a few lines to say, but we cannot ignore HER role in the love story. Her disclosure of the fact that his brother has told a lot about Lizzy and her very blatant outburst of sympathy saying she whishes for a sister, when they both meet for the firs time, all the time smiling at Lizzy shyly but meaningfully clearly show just how much she knew about the love her brother felt and how much she tried to forward this match, as much as she could. She is the charming counterpart of LCDB, both trying to influence the choice Mr. Darcy makes from the back.
He grew to love her because she was the liveliest and wittiest woman he had ever met. Also, she had the kind of looks that made her more attractive the more you saw her.
I think she's the only woman he ever thought of as an equal. In the novel, whenever Darcy talks about ladies in general, it usually strikes me as pretty condescending! My opinion is that he was planning to be a bachelor for life until he met Elizabeth (I mean- rich & handsome and still single at 28? C'mon, at least 1 of the 5 other "accomplished women of his acquaintance" had to have been single and dying to marry him). He didn't just think she was pretty; on top of enjoying her playful sense of humor and wit, he valued her opinions & deigned to let them inform his own .
I watched the series on Sunday for the 5th time and Mr. Firth is excellent. I’m a romance novel junky, I believe when the novelist were writing books, they were describing Mr. Darcy, aloof, arrogant and sexy. 🌹🌹🌹❤️❤️❤️
In the book Elizabeth mulls over a description someone tells her of Georgiana Darcy as proud and reserved, but when they meet, Elizabeth realizes that Miss Darcy is actually shy and self-conscious. It occurred to me that perhaps that's a large part of Mr. Darcy's problem with others: he's been raised to believe that he's more "important" than less wealthy people, and mistakenly tries to cover up feelings of shyness and uncertainty when meeting strangers, with what amounts to rudeness and overbearing behavior. It nearly alienates the love of his life permanently. He can thank Elizabeth's intellect and his own generous reaction to her family's crisis (caused by stupid Lydia) for giving him the chance to make it all up to her... _and HOW!_ Absolutely _Love_ this story.
It's been a long time since I read the book, but I do believe the TV series gave a distinct impression that Darcy felt he was socially awkward and somewhat shy, which he covered up with haughtiness. It's not uncommon for quiet, shy people to be misunderstood as standoffish and arrogant.
the character is not shy, he is very confident and very dominant. His social akwards cames from the fact that he hates fakeness, he cant fake being interest in conversations of people he dont care much about, so he choose to be on corner
It was Wickham who said that of the sister, and we know what a liar he was. He knew she was quite the reverse, taking advantage of the 16 year olds naivety and trusting nature.
@@yasmin3677 I think it's a little bit of both- he does say that he has difficulties "catching the tone" of strangers' conversations (in addition to not being interested in their concerns). His confidence/pride lets him think that it's not a defect he needs to work on since most he meets are beneath him socially or intellectually. In the piano scene at Rosing, Lizzy points out that this *is* a defect- it's selfish rudeness. Just like how her piano playing has deficiencies because she does not make the effort to practice, his character lacks something due to his unwillingness to practice the arts of conversation. But I agree, Darcy is someone used to getting his way- he's very dominant over Bingley.
@@yasmin3677 I agree and it shows up clearly in his unresponsive manner to Miss Bingley's advances. She is like a pesky fly but he is never rude to her. When she does succeed in provoking him he swats her down by praising Elizabeth. Whether or not that is calculated, it quite takes the wind out of her sails.
Colin Firth was hot as Darcy. The way this movie was done, and the way Darcy was played in particular, was closer to the way he was written in the book.
I saw again the miniserie starring Colin Firth, whom I do find so intense and moving as character, I’m going back to read Pride and Prejudice, possibly in the original English version, such a delicate and deep love story, for ever true!
In the book when Lizzie asks Darcy when he realized he loved, his reply is he was already in the middle before he knew it. I can believe that after watching this.
This is fascinating. Some great insights into his portrayal of Darcy the development of the story. Really interesting to hear about what he and Jennifer thinks motivates their characters
Completely agree there has never been a truer or better portrayal of Darcy and Elizabeth. Elizabeth is intelligent and witty, with a heart of gold - not pretty and cute.
OK! I watched this 1995 version when it was first released because a prayer group friend said that she had to rush home after we finished our prayers because she was watching a new adaptation of "Pride & Prejudice." I couldn't believe that any thing could be better than the BBC production with Mr David Rintoul. Well, after tuning in on like the 3rd episode, I was ABSOLUTELY hooked! Mr Colin Firth's portrayal of Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy has got to be one of the best!! However, He and Mr Rintoul are tied to me because they both look and act the part of Mr Darcy. Since the 1980s I would read the book every year! Probably, those who are viewing these videos relating to anything "Pride & Prejudice", particularly those with Mr Firth, can say that they are avid readers of the book and are very attentive to any film releases. I am loving this interview (which I hadn't seen before) and am going to have to pull out my BBC and this 1995 version. I have no respect for forced quarantines; BUT, if I were, I would be very, very happy to kick back allowing myself to be absorbed by the superb acting in those two versions. A MILLION thanks to whoever is responsible for uploading this interview. And, wishing everyone a very festive and blessed Christmas and a happy New Year 2021!
Спасибо Вам за прекрасное исполнение роли мистера Дарси. Я совсем недавно открыла замечательный сериал "Гордость и предубеждение" для себя.Иногда пересматриваю его.Не оторвать глаз от этой чистой любви,любви через взгляды,жесты,мимику.Все прекрасно,особенно Вы в возрасте 34 лет.Спасибо Вам за прекрасный шедевр Привет из Беларуси.
Basically the audience must infer that Darcy has fallen in love with Elizabeth only by his expressions and longing looks. Otherwise the proposal seems to come out of no where.
@Luxe Lady I get that. But there is more in the actual text than there is in the film. Some crucial moments were left out, such as his attentions to her at Rosings before the proposal. There was not merely one short visit and seeing her on a walk but many more encounters. I think if just that small bit had been fleshed out it would not have seemed so abrupt.
@Luxe Lady As I'm re-reading the book right now I'm finding more bits of actual dialogue between them that were left out. Silly that it still bothers me after all this time. lol
Not just that. He makes comments about her fine eyes and noted the devotion she has to her sister. He also calls her an accomplished woman backhandedly - except she doesn't pick up on the compliment. And you know there is chemistry when they are dancing together. It needs to be a bit unexpected because we need to feel Elizabeth's shock. But we suspect he likes her.
Darcy is the warrior. Lizzy tossed him a gauntlet and is regullary "roasting" him by her intelligence and sharp tongue. And he takes up the challenge. He is like a knight who, instead of hunting the lazy, fat deers from the palace gardens, hunts the wild, free dragon. Successfully, but the way to succes is not easy at all. And that's the great adwantage of this novel: Crash of the two strong harakters, who do not take the prisoners and they are not looking for easy solutions. Crash which can finish only by the great love...
I am so glad he said how he felt! About her and his feelings to her at last...💕 he plays his part so well , and yes some pride gets in the way .. i think hes describing me a little when he talks about Elizabeth's traits i can relate to her ,i would find Mr Darcy fascinating hes every ones dream man , and in side him is a lot of love hidden for her untill he confesses....
My absolute favorite version of P&P, Darcy& Elizabeth, and I've adored Firth since I laid eyes on him in this production (when I was maybe 10?) I remember watching it with my mom when it came out and so many times since. I adore this version - they just get the looks and characterizations correct. Firth is an amazing actor, though this is by far my favorite performance of him. (I do appreciate his great humor taking on the Bridget Jones' Diary series, as well as the Kingsman. And plenty of other roles of his I've enjoyed, but this is the absolutely best!)
I love how the actresses are of realistic bodies. I mean, they're all gorgeous beyond normal but their bodies do not give the impression that only stick thin women are beautiful. It's healthier for the public.
I like that they cast people who would have been considered pretty back then instead of people we consider pretty now. I mean, they are still pretty, but they look like they stepped out of a portrait. It makes the story more grounded in the period.
He doesn't want to give too much away because there have been many takes on the book besides the series he is a part of. And not every one has read the book. Absurd, I know, but true. He is my favorite Darcy, and the 1995 series, my favorite adaptation. Maybe I will read the book someday. 🤔
Oh you need to read the book! As well as the BBC production covered the nuances of their relationship it's more obvious in the book. The opposite of love is not hate it is indifference and Elizabeth isn't indifferent to him
If you appreciate the 1995 series, you really need to read the book! A lot of Austen's wry humor in the narration gets lost when the novel is adapted for the screen. Also it goes both ways- there are some nuances of their relationship from the novel that aren't in the series. If the novel seems overwhelming- here's an e-text with a detailed Table of Contents so you can skip to read your favorite parts: www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/pridprej.html#toc but if you're a P&P fan, you'll end up reading the whole novel once you get started.
Have you read it yet? Jane Austen is a master of the language. It is a joy just to read her way of telling the story. And, of course you already know the story is great.
Well people aren't hundreds of years old lol. There will always be new generations who have yet to get to know it. Why shouldn't they be allowed to enjoy it like the people before them?
@@monmothma3358 I only read it because my mother was a fan. It wasn't required reading at all when I was in school. I doubt if I'm alone in that, so a lot of people have heard of the book but haven't read it.
Colin Firth, of all people, saying "There is a problem with his attractiveness. There is very little about him which is appealing". Oh my goodness, did he have no idea what was to come...
Es el mejor intérprete de Darcy. Gran actor. Admirable su capacidad para adaptarse a género trágico como comedia. Se merece todos y más premios que le otorguen. En España se estrena Supernova el día 8 de septiembre y sé que no me defraudará.
I remembered by watching the video I fell in love with Mr Darcy I loved his character he was a real gentleman 😘😘🌹 I want Mr Darcy from the bottom of my heart
Me too! Me too!! And I know every single one of my students who studied P&P with me.... have watched the series several times with them and we've all gone googa over him!! If he doesn't make a girl go weak in the knees I don't know who does!!
Yes. Colin Firth is the best Darcy ever. Hwr, i dont totally agree with Colin Firth that Darcy underwent the most change tru the story. I think he did not change fundamentally. His values remained intact, he is loving, kind, he look out for his friends, protective towards them not into class divide as the first impression seems too suggest... What changed is his attitude towards life. He is more open, not too rigid, etc.
Best movie ever!!!! I just watched it again on Hulu! I remember watching it when it premiered on A&E!!! Loved it! I swear I time traveled and was there among the group! Best cast ever!!!
It is very clear in the script Darcy begins being interested in Elizabeth pretty early. He mentions her fine eye, then pretty soon thereafter gives her a compliment about expanding her mind through extensive reading 100% seriously even though she is still on the war path, and then it is also significant that he has an actual moment talking about himself and what he views himself as with pride and his fears and she manages to take that at face value.
Darcy, like his sister, is basically a shy soul. He's rarely been exposed to people outside of his family unit except in specific circumstances (i.e., at school where most people have been brought up exactly as he has; in business situations; in formal events -- like a debutant's ball where he already knows most attendees and the rules he's expected to follow) and in which proper behavior is proscribed. It throws him off his game to be surrounded by those who do not follow the rules he has been taught and lived with all of his life. To compensate, he falls back on the rules regarding the behavior of superior rank and appears "above his company," which, technically, he is. Had MR. Bennet attended the assembly, Darcy would have had someone of closer rank to converse with. They're both well-educated gentleman farmers with decent-sized estates long-held by their families. In this scenario, master of ceremonies former merchant Sir William Lucas, with more experience with formal society (he attends events at St. James frequently we are told), would have first introduced Darcy's party to the highest ranked person in the room (Mr. Bennet), allowing Darcy to relax and his good manners to be displayed. Alas, Mr. Bennet failed in his own duty to guard his family by acquainting himslef with the new neighbors (meeting merchant-class Bingley and not the rest of his party was negligent) and stayed home giving Darcy no one of even slightly equal standing and more experience to "lead him (Darcy) to dip his feet in the shallows and encourage him to try to swim." Younger, more gregarious merchant class Bingley has little understanding of what is bothering his friend and only succeeds in making Darcy's "snobbiness" appear worse especailly after Darcy has been stuck with social climbing Caroline Bingley for the better part of a day. It is Caroline Bingley who's only motivation is to find fault with everything she sees. This attitude, combined with Darcy's insecurities prevent Darcy making a better first impression, but, honestly, following the faulty lead of their master of cermonies, the residents of Meryton do not appear at their best either. Originally, Darcy was prepared to do his duty, but the combination of his inherent shyness, the behavior of those around him, and Caroline BIngley's own bad behavior compound Darcy's own problems. Personally, I've often wondered if it was Caroline who manipulated her brother into attending the assembly in the hope that Darcy would behave just as he did so that she, herself, would be the only woman available interested in trying to attract Darcy.
I just finished a re-read of this book and now that you've brought these points up, couldn't agree with you more. I missed the part about Mr Bennett not meeting Mr. Darcy when he went to introduce himself to Mr. Bingley. I also completely missed the part of Mr. Bennett's rank and having someone well educated to converse with at the dance. I think it would have made Mr. Darcy's first impression much better.
Incisive analysis - much appreciated! I'm in the midst of re-reading the book, having watched the 1995 mini-series more times than I can count. Thank you for revealing even more layers in the narrative to consider!
Maybe Darcy is gun shy about including new acquaintances into his life because of the betrayal by Wickham when he tried to kidnap miss Darcy. He may have felt that he couldn't trust anyone
Darcy explains himself in the book. He had proper parenting, but was not reined in when his vanity overflowed the boundaries of good breeding. I think we need to factor in the setting of the novel. There were strict class distinctions in that time and place. The penalties for code violations were severe. For example, the consequences for Lydia's folly would have descended upon all her family. Also, Darcy was head of household of a prominent estate. He felt a duty to preserve and improve that legacy which superceded personal indulgence. He learned more of Elizabeth's virtues as the story progressed. They learned the error of their ways from one another when Elizabeth rebuffed his first proposal and Darcy wrote to her of Wickham.
Pride and Prejudice is a good depiction of human behaviour, although some are grossly exaggerated like Mrs Bennett. In attraction, sometimes it's so electrifying that it turns repulsive because some people will withdraw into themselves, hence the body and facial expressions. It takes a lot of reflection to understand such feelings.
Oh, my. I think i will have to watch it again, and read it again, or vise versa, as usual. I would have loved Jane Austen, but i suspect i would never have kept up with her lively mind. ( One of our friends made the comment about my daughter, Laura, a keen and quiet observer, as Jane must have been. He said, of Laura, “one day we are all going to end up in a book she wrote. “ i suspect that observation would also have applied to Jane Austen, and did.)
Never has there been a better Darcy or Elizabeth. In my opinion.
Signature rolls which will continue on generation after generation
@L L agree with you 1000%!!!
Absolutely
👍🏽I second that opinion!
here here
He is the best Mr. Darcy I've seen... I think Jane Austen would've been proud of this production of her book as all of the actors did a spot-on job.
She would have gotten the vapours at the sight of Darcy's wet clothing after Darcy's swim at Pemberly, however.
Except the Wickham character wasn’t as good looking as the book implies. I read someone else was supposed to play Wickham and they had to make a last minute change.
It's amazing Jane Austin's book still lives on 200 years later.
This will sound incredibly corny, but for me Colin Firth is one of those people whom whenever I see him in interviews/films he doesn't seem to smile a great deal. But when he does, it's literally like watching the sun come through the clouds. Almost stops my heart every time I see it. 🥰❤️
I agree, Colin’s smile is alluring and so earnest….you described it wonderfully, have you seen Valmont? that’s the first time I noticed how mesmerizing it is
I believe he takes life and his roles seriously. He is a decent good man imo apart from being a brilliant actor. I am so sorry his marriage broke up. Imagine cheating on Colin!!
Alternate title: Colin Firth trying not to spoil pride and prejudice for those five people in the back who haven't read it yet
Well you never know there could be people who are fans of the tv drama that aren't book readers.
I agree. I very much respect and support actors who don't want to spoil the book that their movie is based on. I also think it's funny 😂
😂😂
I haven't read it. Lol
I love how well Colin Firth understands the intricacies of his character Mr Darcy. He perfectly grasps the complexities of human nature Austen instilled into her characters.
Yes, and I was impressed he even mentioned an aspect of Mansfield Park to show what Jane Austen had said about men and letter writing.
He’s so right about how difficult it is to play Elizabeth’s mixture of liveliness and prudence. That’s a key point where the 2006 film failed for me; her behaviour was more befitting one of the younger sisters. Jennifer Ehle nailed it.
Any time you condense a novel/movie from 6 + hours to 2 hours, you're going to lose something
You are exactly right.
@@priscillawagner6205 True, but the movie wasted a ton of time with Elizabeth "on-her-own-pretending-to-be-reflective" Bennet, played horrifically by KK.
Perfectly said. Keira Knightley did not manage to show this fascinating mixture of prudence and liveliness.
For the actress, it was seemingly central to show the attraction between Elizabeth and Darcy before Elizabeth learned the truth about Wickham. The attraction was definitely there, but it was the end of the 18th century, not the 20th in England. The real English ladies, as Darcy would describe them, were very reserved when it came to showing their feelings, whether positive or negative.
KK has made it very clear how she feels. She won over all those viewers who don't know much about Jane Austen and her time, but lost the true Jane Austen fans.
Jennifer Erle, on the other hand, perfectly traded the center, showing enough liveleness to understand why Darcy fell in love with Elizabeth in the first place, but all to the degree befitting an English lady of the time.
Keira Knightley just felt too one-dimensional as Elizabeth; the decisions the filmmakers made to condense the story also killed the depiction of her prudent, sensible side. KK just didn't seem to fit in the world of P&P to me; perhaps a different Austen character, like Marianne Dashwood, would have been more suitable. If one go cross time and swap her and 1995 Kate Winslet, I think both versions' characters would've been better. I think Winslet had more potential for depth than KK who has always seemed wooden with her uncloseable mouth acting.
Yes, Collin is the best Mr. Darcy Ever and ever.
Isabel Galvez Yes!! I’m totally with you on that!!
O, yes!!!!!
Though my dear mother in law has passed away, Pride and Prejudice was a movie we shared watching together more than once. We only had the VHS tapes 2 decades ago, but we had such great bonding take place. Once, we decided to binge watch the whole series in one evening. We made a special dinner, had a fancy dessert and tea in pretty tea cups.
She had never read the book or seen anything about it, so I truly treasure these dear memories💖
Thank you Jennifer and Colin and the whole cast for bringing Pride and Prejudice to life.
That is a lovely story and I am glad for that you have so sweet a memory to cherish.
These stories are meaningful to so many families!
It's so interesting to hear Colin Firth talking about his role as Darcy. This actor sounds intelligent and thoughtful, and these qualities may be seen to be at the root of the complicated, changeable Darcy. One of the reasons this mini-series was a spectacular success is, of course, Colin Firth's portrayal of Darcy, and I do think Firth shows more of Darcy's inner conflict than I've seen in any other actor playing the character. Firth's Darcy is a quiet man, but you do see feeling in his face well before Darcy seems to know what he feels.
His body language in this role was sublime! He portrayed more by fidgets than his words in alot of the scenes.
@kisteni Agreed. Same cam be said of Jennifer Ehle.
@@brendasavini7098 Totally.
Actually when you read P & P, you find that by page 19, Darcy is very interested in her "fine eyes." He is already hooked. She dislikes him at least half the novel.
Yes, he even wants her out of Netherfield because he's afraid of becoming too attached.
Jennifer Ehle was equally hopeless. She was too old (Elizabeth is 19) conceited and too 'knowing.' She also wasn't pretty enough.
The Bennett girls are described at one point as all being beautiful, and Elizabeth as Charlotte's "pretty friend." Although not as statuesque as Jane, the inference is that she's _sexier,_ a bubbly little firecracker
Think Kylie Minogue when she was in neighbours -with a brain attached. Which, best of all, she doesn't show unless she has to. Every thinking bloke's dream. Now do you see why a man like Darcy would fall for her!
@@splinterbyrd Elizabeth Garvie in the 1980 version was wonderful!
@@secretariatgirl4249 She wasn't bad, but the production was still very wooden
splinterbyrd loved Jennifer’s Elizabeth more than the book’s one.
Firth certainly plays Darcy as if Elizabeth is very nearly first love at first sight. There are so many wonderful closeups of Darcy looking at her with hunger and longing and struggling to resist. You'd think she was a box of chocolates and him trying to stick to a diet. He is utterly charmed but angry with himself for it. All of his life he has lived up to his station and a woman of Miss Bennett's prospects fits nowhere in that landscape. It is a great discomfort when he realizes he no longer belongs in his own world anymore than she because he is now attached to her. Duty and public opinion are never going to be enough again, not without Elizabeth.
De acuerdo totalmente. Toda la serie,es una lucha entre el sentir y el deber.
Very well said!
Colin Firth is a marvelous actor. He will also always be Mr. Darcy.
He will be my mr Darcey to
@@aquacat658 mine too.
Very true as he's also Mr Darcy in Bridget Jones 😁
I think it's probably his best role (JMO). He was Darcy in the flesh. ;D
Austen provides the answers in the dialogue she wrote for Mr. Darcy.
She had Darcy say that he didn't want to be smitten, and entangled, with a woman beneath his station. He solidified that opinion by his attempt to keep Mr. Bingley from falling for a woman beneath him too.
Outside of his bias against marrying below his station, he has a strong desire to treat everyone well, even those who are far below him. His snobbishness is not universal, but very focused. The only other people who make him run cold are sycophants like Mr. Collins. People who only see him as a resource that they might utilize for their own benefit.
He is a single man, and he fully understands what is expected of him in the decision he is supposed to make regarding a potential wife. He wants to do the right thing, but he found his attraction to Lizzie to be very inconvenient to his desire to do the right thing. He was irritated at her for being so attractive while not being available to him, according to what he has been taught since he was a child.
Lizzie is fairly pretty, but not gorgeous. Darcy has certainly met better looking women. Lizzie is reasonably intelligent, and Darcy appreciates that. But it must be obvious that the main thing that attracts him to her is that she's probably the first female he's met in his life who hasn't sucked up to him like a vacuum cleaner. That she is not chasing him like a dog for a rabbit, has to be a surprise, and something that's appealing to him. She is not intentionally playing a game of hard to get, but her actions have the same effect on him as if she were. Since her rebuffs are presented to him in response to his alleged moral deficiencies, and he is keenly aware that he suffers from genuine moral deficiencies, he does not easily dismiss her accusations even though he knows that most of them are meritless. He is impressed by her moral stand, which he sees as honorable since she has nothing tangible to gain for it.
I think that Mr. Darcy would give Miss Lizzy the following grades for a single woman:
Beauty: B
Intelligence: A
Courage: A
Wit: A
Compassion: A
Sincerity: A
Integrity: A
Sense of responsibility: A
Not being a gold digger: A++
Jumping to conclusions: D
A really brilliant comment! So insightful.
Are you a writer yourself by any chance?
@@gemmag.2988
Thank you for the kind words.
I am not a writer.
I don't have anything that I'm burning to say. But mostly, I work at my income producing job now and I covet my free time too much to spend it in the very hard work it takes to write to a high standard.
Maybe the stars will align after I retire. I'd need to be hit by a very inspiring concept and have enough money coming in to devote to an activity that has no guarantee of producing a penny of income. They say that everyone has at least one good novel in them. That may be true, and it may be true of me. But I think that saying is actually relating that real writers grind out book after book like a donkey turning a mill. Real writers do it even though it is hard to come up with ideas, and even harder to create characters who don't just seem real, but fit into the story as perfectly as a jigsaw piece fits into its puzzle.
Are you a writer?
Wow! What an analysis. Brilliant
A+
Best Darcy and Elizabeth by far. They are perfect and so much chemistry
His portrayal of Mr Darcy is perfect. And his analysis and understanding of the book and Mr. Darcy as revealed by this video is superb as expected of a man with such a portrayal. Truly extraordinary!
Of all the P&J productions I have seen, Colin Firth delivered the only believable characterization of Mr Darcy. It was in the subtle jesters this character was brought to life and Colin Firth proved his extraordinary acting abilities.
I saw the series again today for Colin Firth .The Best Adaption of Pride and Prejudice - Colin Firth Immortalized Mr. Darcy for us. He's such a brilliant actor.
From where i can get full series
@@sonalipandey6664 I got it on torrent, maybe it's still available just check out
Totally agreed. ❤
I think he felt the love when he was surprised by Elizabeth by the garden, who had walked all the way to Binglys house to see her sister. I think he became bewitched right then, because he saw this act of affection towards her sister like he is towards his. And Elizabeth didn’t care if he or the others realized she arrived on foot and looking disheveled. I guess that intrigued Darcy more and decided to learn more about her personality by observing her while she stayed to care for her sister.
That's a good point about her affection for Jane mirroring his affection for his own sister! No wonder it's the first thing Darcy brings up in the book at the end when Lizzy teases him for liking her impertinence without knowing any real good of her.
@@yellowonesdontstop 😯 wow...I hadn’t even read the book. Hopefully I’ll read them someday. Thanks for that insight!
Best Darcy, best adaptation, best cast, best everything! For the past present and future!
I feel Colin Firth cannot be duplicated even if I saw his clone. Colin Firth is an excellent actor and was so happy when he won his Oscar for the "King's Speech" and his performance outstanding! I loved how he showed us his vulnerability to me it really counts when actors or actresses can actually allow the public to see how their performance is more important than their own ego. For that I commend him for it. Congratulations!
Thank you, wonderful comment!
The best Darcy I have ever seen, no other,I really love this story, I learnt as an English Literature subject when I was 17 years old, now I am sixty and still love to watch it over and over
I fell in love with the series when I first watched it, bought the videos as soon as they were available, then the cd's. Watch once a year. My all time favorite.
My daughters and I do too...
I honestly don’t think there ever will be or can be a more well executed or better Mr Darcy than Colin Firth.
Every actor in this adaptation was perfectly chosen! From Darcy, Elizabeth, Mr. Collins, all of them. Perhaps the most perfect movie experience I have ever witnessed. :)
I think he knew he loved her when he saw her playing with the dog.
I don't know
Actually I think it was when he saw her walking thru the mud to get to her sick sister. As much as he loved his own sister, that would mean a lot to him, because you know he'd do the same thing if he had to.
I think he loved her before that, At the Lucas's party he was already looking at her with intense passion: when he bows to her after she refuses to dance with him, he is submitting in complete defeat.
@@philomenamuinzer4805 I hear you. She definitely caught his attention by declining his invitation to dance. The scene with the dog isn't in the novel, but it's a really sweet moment; a more in-love than in-lust moment.
I don’t think that was in the book.
The BBC miniseries is of course, the best of the lot, though I have some affection for Greer Garson and Olivier, and am coming to like the newest film with Knightly. But the BBC miniseries is the most faithful to the book, having 5+ hours to display! Every note is there. And yes, the two leads are ...I don't know a word that's adequate...fabulous? marvelous? superb? No words are adequate. Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth use their faces superbly. Like when Elizabeth raises her eyebrows. Or when she looks slightly uncomfortable for a moment when she had been having a good time, but guardedly. She is consummate professional. And Firth certainly deserves all the praise heaped on him. The tiniest facial gestures like when he encounters Elizabeth coming out of the fields and says, "On foot!" and then a moment later his whole body and face say, "right this way" when Elizabeth asks him to take her to here sister. This is a superb production full of superb performances from everyone in front of and behind the cameras.
surrepeight I always did like Olivier in the roll, though he will always be my Maxim De Winter, and Greer has that twinkle in her eye. I have been recomended the 1980 production which is also a miniseries, but I haven’t seen it myself.
Which is why the 1995 version is better than the 2005. Ehle and Firth conveyed so much about their characters through facial expressions and body language. Their seasoned acting brought Jane Austen's book to life and gave it depth.
The more that they were such young inexperienced actors at that moment
When you see the movie after this series you realize how awful the movie was. The costumes were all wrong and the aunt LIKES Elizabeth. I used to love the movie until I saw this version. Why anyone wants to redo this book after the excellent Firth/Ehle took it on is beyond me. How could anyone improve on this?
The details in this version were what made it exquisite. The other characters are perfectly cast. And when you see the recorded version it has more detail in it.
The only thing is that the book does not end with the two marriages. It ends with the mother dying and the father being a regular visitor at Pemberle. I know that the happily ever after ending is heavenly, but there is something lovely about the way the father finally gets his chance at calm and happiness, too.
@@MissCaraMint The 1995 version will always be my favorite but the 1980 version has its merits. It's quite faithful to the novel and Elizabeth Garvie is a wonderful Lizzy. Of all of the actresses who have played Lizzy, Ms. Garvie looks the most like how I imagine Elizabeth physically myself.
I do not think that Darcy is complicated. He is complex, but not complicated. He and Elizabeth are both protagonists and antagonists with regards to the book and each other--protagonists in that they are both integral to moving the plot forward and antagonists as regards their relationship with each other. I read this first at age 13--almost sixty years ago now, and that was my impression then as it is now. When my 8th grade teacher asked our class if we were disappointed that Darcy and Elizabeth didn't get together earlier, I said I was not. Were they to become involved in the earliest part of the book (Netherfield), there would have been no story. Had she accepted his first proposal, she would not have been true to herself and the story would have ended there. By Darcy's third interaction with her, they have both grown up/matured enough to see each other's worth as individuals and to have a marriage based on mutual affection, respect, and shared interests.
Had she gotten together with him when he first asked they would have had a terribly unhappy marraige. Neither would have really have been happy. They needed to sort themselves out to be happy.
It is embodiment of what Jane Austen believed abt marriage. Both parties shd be in love.
JA apparently did get a marriage proposal when she was abt 26. She declined the proposal bc she didnt love the guy.
Well. Not only would it not have supported the plot, it wouldn't be true to life to the characters. You could change the dialogue and modernize the setting and create a Darcy and Elizabeth we would recognize today. And those people would have the same preconceptions Austen attributed to them, and they would behave in the same way, because they're very realistic characters.
In fact, didn't somebody say in one of their interviews that Bridget Jones was a kind of P&P in modern times?
@@ErynnSchwellinger Happiness in marriage and love in marriage were only emerging concepts at the time. The idea was to forge an alliance with someone who could afford to support you and children, further political aims if possible, and expand property holdings.
@@melaniesng4713 in "Becoming Jane" the marriage was thwarted because she was without a fortune/dowry that satisfied the man's family.
What an incredibly erudite and articulate man Colin Firth is!
He is also very funny. There is this interview he did when he talked abt his 3 fingers getting caught between 2 window panes. It was like a laugh a second. I wish i had downloaded that interview.
I am sorry i cant give more details. Just like me always missing/forgetting all the details.
This is interesting because it nails down something I'd been trying to work out about the Matthew McFadden Darcy. Because McFadden's good, and the movie is good, but the Darcy always felt a bit... too obvious. Too sentimental, too vulnerable. And Firth nails it here, because what they did was they tried to ingratiate him to the audience from the start, and as he says, you really need to do the reverse.
MacFadyen played Darcy as basically shy, over compensating for it, and hiding behind his social position as well. He was keeping in mind that phrase "I have not the gift of talking easily with people I don't know."
Firth took his inspiration from the Darcy's comments near the end, where he was raised with the proper values, but not corrected to exhibit them.
Interesting choices that change the presentation of the character.
@@mikespangler98 I think part of an actor's problem with portraying him is that Austen never looks at him from very far beyond what Elizabeth sees. Austen barely showed men talking together because she said she'd never witnessed such things, thus we only really see quite a narrow view of him - with dialogue and behaviour that's rarely adequately explained. He goes from rude, snobbish and dull - to the point of wondering why on earth Bingley likes him - (we have to take his word for it that he's usually nicer, but he still behaves like a total dick at the Meryton ball, even by the standards of his time), to judgemental and misanthropic at Netherfield, to something between St Francis of Assisi and a Victorian philanthropist according to the housekeeper's description of him. It's up to the reader to try and fill the gaps as best they can from all these fragments because Austen doesn't. Hence different actors have different interpretations of how to play him.
fwiw- I've long felt that since irl a leopard rarely changes its spots, he'd never actually get over his snobbery and anti-social, curmudgeonly behaviour, and Elizabeth - despite the £10K a year -would end up pretty annoyed with him.
But for a story of a man being miraculously redeemed via the love of a remarkable woman, it's good fun..
phoebephoebo .sydney It’s clear that Darcy doesn’t suddenly do a 180 just because some pretty girl calls him on his bullshit. The key to understanding that character is the fact that the title of pride and prejedice reffers to both of our main characters in equal measure. They are both proud and unbending people who do have a deal of prejedice against each other. Darcy Is applauderer by the way her family behaves, while Elizabeth (with help from Wikham) holdes prejadice against Darcy from those words he said about her at that ball. Well that and the way Miss Bingley, and Mr and Mrs Hirst behave. It’s actually only because Mr Bingley is so open and friendly that he escapes that prejadice himself. Basically we have a heavily biased narrater, and as we all know somebody we don’t like could just breathe and we would be irritated by them. They both get a real wake up call and as soutch both have to deal with the fact that they have both behaved poorly to some degree. Darcy get’s his from his failed proposal where he is confronted with the very real concequences of getting Bingley to break it off with Jane, and Elizabeth get’s hers form the letter in which Darcy details of what happened with Wickham. They both need to face facts that they were too proud to aknowlege to themselves. Elizabeth reflects and comes to an understanding how her family really don’t behave as they should, while Darcy must face the reality that his best friend actually had a mutually affectionet understanding with Jane and that it was ruineddue to Darcy’s own actions. Then of course there is the part about how Darcy genuenly feels responsable for how Wickham eloped with Lydia. THat’s what makes it so interesting. There are so manny layers to the characters.
@@scattygirl1 Darcy wasn't a bad person though. He couldn't stand Caroline or Catherine's snobbery and had no intention of marrying Anne because she was boring. But he had excellent relationships with his servants and tenants. But he had high expectation for both himself and those around him and it was a huge struggle when he could not meet them. Unlike his former friend Wickham. He was also extremely introverted. He was also used to people throwing themselves at him for his money. He liked the Gardeners because they were not social mountaineers, unlike Mrs Bennett. He's one of those people who it is really hard to become friends with and they try and push people away but when they are your friend they will be the best friend you've ever had.
MsJubjubbird .
Such a smart analysis of a very interesting character from such a great actor.... and he describes Elisabeth very well too.
Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth must be the BEST Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, ever!
Darcy may have the most character development, oddly, but Elizabeth is the most complex and we get the most insight into her mind as she undergoes major character development as well
Giorgiana Darcy has but a few lines to say, but we cannot ignore HER role in the love story. Her disclosure of the fact that his brother has told a lot about Lizzy and her very blatant outburst of sympathy saying she whishes for a sister, when they both meet for the firs time, all the time smiling at Lizzy shyly but meaningfully clearly show just how much she knew about the love her brother felt and how much she tried to forward this match, as much as she could. She is the charming counterpart of LCDB, both trying to influence the choice Mr. Darcy makes from the back.
He grew to love her because she was the liveliest and wittiest woman he had ever met. Also, she had the kind of looks that made her more attractive the more you saw her.
I think she's the only woman he ever thought of as an equal. In the novel, whenever Darcy talks about ladies in general, it usually strikes me as pretty condescending! My opinion is that he was planning to be a bachelor for life until he met Elizabeth (I mean- rich & handsome and still single at 28? C'mon, at least 1 of the 5 other "accomplished women of his acquaintance" had to have been single and dying to marry him). He didn't just think she was pretty; on top of enjoying her playful sense of humor and wit, he valued her opinions & deigned to let them inform his own .
@@yellowonesdontstop I agree
I watched the series on Sunday for the 5th time and Mr. Firth is excellent. I’m a romance novel junky, I believe when the novelist were writing books, they were describing Mr. Darcy, aloof, arrogant and sexy. 🌹🌹🌹❤️❤️❤️
Mr Colin Firth, was greatest Mr Darcy. Why enjoy watch film movie over and over again. Thank You.
In the book Elizabeth mulls over a description someone tells her of Georgiana Darcy as proud and reserved, but when they meet, Elizabeth realizes that Miss Darcy is actually shy and self-conscious. It occurred to me that perhaps that's a large part of Mr. Darcy's problem with others: he's been raised to believe that he's more "important" than less wealthy people, and mistakenly tries to cover up feelings of shyness and uncertainty when meeting strangers, with what amounts to rudeness and overbearing behavior. It nearly alienates the love of his life permanently. He can thank Elizabeth's intellect and his own generous reaction to her family's crisis (caused by stupid Lydia) for giving him the chance to make it all up to her... _and HOW!_ Absolutely _Love_ this story.
It's been a long time since I read the book, but I do believe the TV series gave a distinct impression that Darcy felt he was socially awkward and somewhat shy, which he covered up with haughtiness. It's not uncommon for quiet, shy people to be misunderstood as standoffish and arrogant.
the character is not shy, he is very confident and very dominant. His social akwards cames from the fact that he hates fakeness, he cant fake being interest in conversations of people he dont care much about, so he choose to be on corner
It was Wickham who said that of the sister, and we know what a liar he was. He knew she was quite the reverse, taking advantage of the 16 year olds naivety and trusting nature.
@@yasmin3677 I think it's a little bit of both- he does say that he has difficulties "catching the tone" of strangers' conversations (in addition to not being interested in their concerns). His confidence/pride lets him think that it's not a defect he needs to work on since most he meets are beneath him socially or intellectually. In the piano scene at Rosing, Lizzy points out that this *is* a defect- it's selfish rudeness. Just like how her piano playing has deficiencies because she does not make the effort to practice, his character lacks something due to his unwillingness to practice the arts of conversation. But I agree, Darcy is someone used to getting his way- he's very dominant over Bingley.
@@yasmin3677 I agree and it shows up clearly in his unresponsive manner to Miss Bingley's advances. She is like a pesky fly but he is never rude to her. When she does succeed in provoking him he swats her down by praising Elizabeth. Whether or not that is calculated, it quite takes the wind out of her sails.
Colin Firth was hot as Darcy. The way this movie was done, and the way Darcy was played in particular, was closer to the way he was written in the book.
I saw again the miniserie starring Colin Firth, whom I do find so intense and moving as character, I’m going back to read Pride and Prejudice, possibly in the original English version, such a delicate and deep love story, for ever true!
In the book when Lizzie asks Darcy when he realized he loved, his reply is he was already in the middle before he knew it. I can believe that after watching this.
This is fascinating. Some great insights into his portrayal of Darcy the development of the story. Really interesting to hear about what he and Jennifer thinks motivates their characters
Very enlightening to hear Colin explain Mr Darcy's character.
He is Mr. Darcy! Whenever ,whatever and forever!
Moli Cao I agree 100000000000000000000000000000000%
One doesnt fall in love
One rises in love..
Heady music..so breathtaking...background score so melodious..rhytm
Unsurpassable😎🎊👒💜
I love how Mr. Darcy stares at Miss Bennett. My favorite scene is when Mr. Darcy is proposing to Miss Bennett the first time.
Completely agree there has never been a truer or better portrayal of Darcy and Elizabeth. Elizabeth is intelligent and witty, with a heart of gold - not pretty and cute.
OK! I watched this 1995 version when it was first released because a prayer group friend said that she had to rush home after we finished our prayers because she was watching a new adaptation of "Pride & Prejudice." I couldn't believe that any thing could be better than the BBC production with Mr David Rintoul. Well, after tuning in on like the 3rd episode, I was ABSOLUTELY hooked! Mr Colin Firth's portrayal of Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy has got to be one of the best!! However, He and Mr Rintoul are tied to me because they both look and act the part of Mr Darcy. Since the 1980s I would read the book every year! Probably, those who are viewing these videos relating to anything "Pride & Prejudice", particularly those with Mr Firth, can say that they are avid readers of the book and are very attentive to any film releases. I am loving this interview (which I hadn't seen before) and am going to have to pull out my BBC and this 1995 version. I have no respect for forced quarantines; BUT, if I were, I would be very, very happy to kick back allowing myself to be absorbed by the superb acting in those two versions. A MILLION thanks to whoever is responsible for uploading this interview. And, wishing everyone a very festive and blessed Christmas and a happy New Year 2021!
Спасибо Вам за прекрасное исполнение роли мистера Дарси. Я совсем недавно открыла замечательный сериал "Гордость и предубеждение" для себя.Иногда пересматриваю его.Не оторвать глаз от этой чистой любви,любви через взгляды,жесты,мимику.Все прекрасно,особенно Вы в возрасте 34 лет.Спасибо Вам за прекрасный шедевр Привет из Беларуси.
The best version of Pride and Prejudice.
Basically the audience must infer that Darcy has fallen in love with Elizabeth only by his expressions and longing looks. Otherwise the proposal seems to come out of no where.
In the novel it does come out of nowhere.
@Luxe Lady I get that. But there is more in the actual text than there is in the film. Some crucial moments were left out, such as his attentions to her at Rosings before the proposal. There was not merely one short visit and seeing her on a walk but many more encounters. I think if just that small bit had been fleshed out it would not have seemed so abrupt.
@Luxe Lady As I'm re-reading the book right now I'm finding more bits of actual dialogue between them that were left out. Silly that it still bothers me after all this time. lol
@Luxe Lady ;)
Not just that. He makes comments about her fine eyes and noted the devotion she has to her sister. He also calls her an accomplished woman backhandedly - except she doesn't pick up on the compliment. And you know there is chemistry when they are dancing together. It needs to be a bit unexpected because we need to feel Elizabeth's shock. But we suspect he likes her.
Darcy is the warrior. Lizzy tossed him a gauntlet and is regullary "roasting" him by her intelligence and sharp tongue. And he takes up the challenge. He is like a knight who, instead of hunting the lazy, fat deers from the palace gardens, hunts the wild, free dragon. Successfully, but the way to succes is not easy at all. And that's the great adwantage of this novel: Crash of the two strong harakters, who do not take the prisoners and they are not looking for easy solutions. Crash which can finish only by the great love...
feels weird when you see Mr Darcy talk about himself but in third person hehe
I am so glad he said how he felt! About her and his feelings to her at last...💕 he plays his part so well , and yes some pride gets in the way .. i think hes describing me a little when he talks about Elizabeth's traits i can relate to her ,i would find Mr Darcy fascinating hes every ones dream man , and in side him is a lot of love hidden for her untill he confesses....
My absolute favorite version of P&P, Darcy& Elizabeth, and I've adored Firth since I laid eyes on him in this production (when I was maybe 10?) I remember watching it with my mom when it came out and so many times since. I adore this version - they just get the looks and characterizations correct. Firth is an amazing actor, though this is by far my favorite performance of him. (I do appreciate his great humor taking on the Bridget Jones' Diary series, as well as the Kingsman. And plenty of other roles of his I've enjoyed, but this is the absolutely best!)
Lo rivedrei il telefilm decine di volte, interpretazzione straordinaria e actori molto bravi. Penso che nessuno non potra essere uguale a Colin. 💖
I love how the actresses are of realistic bodies. I mean, they're all gorgeous beyond normal but their bodies do not give the impression that only stick thin women are beautiful. It's healthier for the public.
I like that they cast people who would have been considered pretty back then instead of people we consider pretty now. I mean, they are still pretty, but they look like they stepped out of a portrait. It makes the story more grounded in the period.
@@lilacfantasy4 Very good comment of yours.
@@lilacfantasy4 Oh no, you mean with enormous lips, bosom and butt?
He fell totally in love with Lizzy when he went to the first dance he might not have know it but he did
Yup- he was well on his way to being in love when he watched her go by laughing about his slight about being only tolerable!
He doesn't want to give too much away because there have been many takes on the book besides the series he is a part of. And not every one has read the book. Absurd, I know, but true. He is my favorite Darcy, and the 1995 series, my favorite adaptation. Maybe I will read the book someday. 🤔
Oh you need to read the book! As well as the BBC production covered the nuances of their relationship it's more obvious in the book. The opposite of love is not hate it is indifference and Elizabeth isn't indifferent to him
If you appreciate the 1995 series, you really need to read the book! A lot of Austen's wry humor in the narration gets lost when the novel is adapted for the screen. Also it goes both ways- there are some nuances of their relationship from the novel that aren't in the series. If the novel seems overwhelming- here's an e-text with a detailed Table of Contents so you can skip to read your favorite parts: www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/pridprej.html#toc
but if you're a P&P fan, you'll end up reading the whole novel once you get started.
Have you read it yet? Jane Austen is a master of the language. It is a joy just to read her way of telling the story. And, of course you already know the story is great.
He’s talking like it’s a big surprise what happens. The book’s hundreds of years old. I think you can go ahead and say some spoilers. Lol.
Well people aren't hundreds of years old lol. There will always be new generations who have yet to get to know it. Why shouldn't they be allowed to enjoy it like the people before them?
@@monmothma3358 I only read it because my mother was a fan. It wasn't required reading at all when I was in school. I doubt if I'm alone in that, so a lot of people have heard of the book but haven't read it.
207 years old, to be exact. Though Colin Firth is allowing for those who are unfamiliar with the story, so as not to spoil it for them.
😌 I do enjoy hearing actors talk about their craft and *show* rather than tell in their acting. Certainly the case with Mr. Firth! 😀
I love Mr. Darcy and I also wish I could have one of my own.
It's so refreshing to see Colin Firth after seeing so much Darcy-- in comparison Colin seems so much more relaxed, and his face less intense. 😂
Colin Firth, of all people, saying "There is a problem with his attractiveness. There is very little about him which is appealing". Oh my goodness, did he have no idea what was to come...
He is modest man!
Es el mejor intérprete de Darcy. Gran actor. Admirable su capacidad para adaptarse a género trágico como comedia. Se merece todos y más premios que le otorguen. En España se estrena Supernova el día 8 de septiembre y sé que no me defraudará.
I remembered by watching the video I fell in love with Mr Darcy I loved his character he was a real gentleman 😘😘🌹
I want Mr Darcy from the bottom of my heart
I felt the same way. Colin Firth was not yet famous but I knew then that he would go far.
I love his voice!!!
Dang I find him so attractive in that age and time😍🥰
I just watched all the episodes about a day ago and I wanna see the whole thing again ! :,)
❤❤ Love Colin Firth as Darcy. Best Darcy ever!
O melhor Mr. Darcy de todos os tempos. Amo a série da BBC com Colin Firth. ❤❤
The character himself says. “ almost from our first meeting “ he fell for her pretty quickly !
I want a clone of Colin for my own 😭❤
True, let's clone him, just one Colin is not enough! :)
Marie Villalobos l
My Fair Lady with Audrey Hepburn
He does a jolly good ‘smoulder’
Me too! Me too!! And I know every single one of my students who studied P&P with me.... have watched the series several times with them and we've all gone googa over him!! If he doesn't make a girl go weak in the knees I don't know who does!!
I have seen this movie over and over again. Colin firth tops them all.
Colin Firth seems like a nice guy.
Yes. Colin Firth is the best Darcy ever. Hwr, i dont totally agree with Colin Firth that Darcy underwent the most change tru the story. I think he did not change fundamentally. His values remained intact, he is loving, kind, he look out for his friends, protective towards them not into class divide as the first impression seems too suggest...
What changed is his attitude towards life. He is more open, not too rigid, etc.
Best movie ever!!!! I just watched it again on Hulu! I remember watching it when it premiered on A&E!!! Loved it! I swear I time traveled and was there among the group! Best cast ever!!!
My favorite actor. Truly love this classic film movie one greatest story film movie .
Reckon Darcy in Jane Austen's imagination would be like Colin Firth
And Lizzie Bennet so real and rich in force and honesty
Under all that arrogance there is an underlying shyness and Colin firth shows that so perfectly.
Still the very best adaptation ever!
Colin Firth successfully shows Darcy's arrogance/pride and Darcy's vulnerability.
It is very clear in the script Darcy begins being interested in Elizabeth pretty early. He mentions her fine eye, then pretty soon thereafter gives her a compliment about expanding her mind through extensive reading 100% seriously even though she is still on the war path, and then it is also significant that he has an actual moment talking about himself and what he views himself as with pride and his fears and she manages to take that at face value.
He is dashing....
I very much like this Mr. Darcy.
That’s got to be the best Darcy I’ve ever seen.
Don't forget the iconic musical score...
Darcy, like his sister, is basically a shy soul. He's rarely been exposed to people outside of his family unit except in specific circumstances (i.e., at school where most people have been brought up exactly as he has; in business situations; in formal events -- like a debutant's ball where he already knows most attendees and the rules he's expected to follow) and in which proper behavior is proscribed. It throws him off his game to be surrounded by those who do not follow the rules he has been taught and lived with all of his life. To compensate, he falls back on the rules regarding the behavior of superior rank and appears "above his company," which, technically, he is.
Had MR. Bennet attended the assembly, Darcy would have had someone of closer rank to converse with. They're both well-educated gentleman farmers with decent-sized estates long-held by their families. In this scenario, master of ceremonies former merchant Sir William Lucas, with more experience with formal society (he attends events at St. James frequently we are told), would have first introduced Darcy's party to the highest ranked person in the room (Mr. Bennet), allowing Darcy to relax and his good manners to be displayed. Alas, Mr. Bennet failed in his own duty to guard his family by acquainting himslef with the new neighbors (meeting merchant-class Bingley and not the rest of his party was negligent) and stayed home giving Darcy no one of even slightly equal standing and more experience to "lead him (Darcy) to dip his feet in the shallows and encourage him to try to swim."
Younger, more gregarious merchant class Bingley has little understanding of what is bothering his friend and only succeeds in making Darcy's "snobbiness" appear worse especailly after Darcy has been stuck with social climbing Caroline Bingley for the better part of a day.
It is Caroline Bingley who's only motivation is to find fault with everything she sees. This attitude, combined with Darcy's insecurities prevent Darcy making a better first impression, but, honestly, following the faulty lead of their master of cermonies, the residents of Meryton do not appear at their best either. Originally, Darcy was prepared to do his duty, but the combination of his inherent shyness, the behavior of those around him, and Caroline BIngley's own bad behavior compound Darcy's own problems. Personally, I've often wondered if it was Caroline who manipulated her brother into attending the assembly in the hope that Darcy would behave just as he did so that she, herself, would be the only woman available interested in trying to attract Darcy.
I just finished a re-read of this book and now that you've brought these points up, couldn't agree with you more. I missed the part about Mr Bennett not meeting Mr. Darcy when he went to introduce himself to Mr. Bingley. I also completely missed the part of Mr. Bennett's rank and having someone well educated to converse with at the dance. I think it would have made Mr. Darcy's first impression much better.
Incisive analysis - much appreciated! I'm in the midst of re-reading the book, having watched the 1995 mini-series more times than I can count.
Thank you for revealing even more layers in the narrative to consider!
Oh my, yes. I always thought Caroline to be extremely devious and calculating, more so than her sister
Perfect Darcy! 💕💕💕 love
TRULY THE BEST ADAPTATION OF P&P!! NO CONTEST
I CAN VIEW IT A HUNDRED TIMES
Elizabeth: *Roast Darcy *
Darcy: It's a love story, baby just say yes 🎶❤️👄❤️
Good interview with Colin. He is clearly intelligent and thoughtful. The interviewer's questions are well considered.
The best pair
Inoubliable Darcy...tellement émouvant dans ce rôle difficile où l'arrogance de classe est vaincue par l’amour...
"...literally on a sixpence he will suddenly shut down again." I love it!
Maybe Darcy is gun shy about including new acquaintances into his life because of the betrayal by Wickham when he tried to kidnap miss Darcy. He may have felt that he couldn't trust anyone
Darcy explains himself in the book. He had proper parenting, but was not reined in when his vanity overflowed the boundaries of good breeding. I think we need to factor in the setting of the novel. There were strict class distinctions in that time and place. The penalties for code violations were severe. For example, the consequences for Lydia's folly would have descended upon all her family. Also, Darcy was head of household of a prominent estate. He felt a duty to preserve and improve that legacy which superceded personal indulgence. He learned more of Elizabeth's virtues as the story progressed. They learned the error of their ways from one another when Elizabeth rebuffed his first proposal and Darcy wrote to her of Wickham.
Best Darcy and Elizabeth
His comments about what to remember if you're playing a character are 100%.
Pride and Prejudice is a good depiction of human behaviour, although some are grossly exaggerated like Mrs Bennett. In attraction, sometimes it's so electrifying that it turns repulsive because some people will withdraw into themselves, hence the body and facial expressions. It takes a lot of reflection to understand such feelings.
Oh, my. I think i will have to watch it again, and read it again, or vise versa, as usual. I would have loved Jane Austen, but i suspect i would never have kept up with her lively mind. ( One of our friends made the comment about my daughter, Laura, a keen and quiet observer, as Jane must have been. He said, of Laura, “one day we are all going to end up in a book she wrote. “ i suspect that observation would also have applied to Jane Austen, and did.)
Colin Firth... es el perfecto sr Darcy... arrogante y orgulloso
y a la vez tan amable cosiderado y dulce es un gentleman...
Fully agree with you