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Pride and Prejudice [1940] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
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Our Price: £7.34 (subject to change)
Excessively Diverting!
Review date: 2007-11-09 Rating: 8 out of 10
I hadn't seen this film since I was a child, and didn't have the highest expectations having heard throughly mixed comments surrounding it. I can honestly say that it was an absolutely lovely surprise. No, it isn't completely faithful to the novel, but neither is any other adaptation (not even the much loved 1995 version- I don't remember any scene in the novel where Darcy takes a bath or a dip in the lake), and it's true that the costumes are far more Civil War than English Regency, but this is one of the rare examples in which it doesn't really matter because it's just so charmingly done.
Greer Garson is simply magnificent as Elizabeth Bennet- poised, intelligent, gracious and witty and is excellently matched by Laurence Olivier's Darcy. These two prove that you don't need a wet shirt to create sizzling chemistry. The supporting cast is excellent, particularly a brilliant performance by Mary Boland as Mrs Bennet, who perfectly embodies the character's comedy and desperation without descending into caricature. Maureen O'Sullivan is a charming Jane, Edmund Gwynne a most sympathetic Mr Bennet, and Marsha Hunt is great fun as the bluestocking sister Mary.
This will probably never be my definitive P&P, but there's still so much in it to enjoy and I think it captures the gentle humour of the novel perfectly. Enjoy it for what it is, rather than what it isn't.
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Reviews
Not faithful but delightful!
Review date: 2005-11-21 Rating: 8 out of 10
This adaptation of Jane Austen's novel P&P is definitely not faithful to the original plot. Still I cannot help, but be surprised at the disappointment some of the fellow reviewers expressed over this fact. They seem to have forgotten what film making was in 1940. I am not an expert on the history of film industry, but I am well aware - as opposed to some other reviewers - that it was definitely NOT about staying truthful to the original book when adapting it on film. As a result, it did not come as a shock for me when I saw it for the first time. On the contrary: I simply accepted that this was the way it used to be and then nothing could stop me from enjoying the film immensely.
I think that the Greer Garson - Laurence Olivier duo as Elizabeth and Darcy was fantastic. Garson was original and spirited and Olivier was attractive and aloof at the same time. The chemistry between them worked just fine. So did the chemistry between Jane and Mr Bingley, excellently characterized by Maureen O'Sullivan and Bruce Lester.
Mary Boland was delightful as Mrs Bennet and Edna May Oliver great as Lady Catherine, it was not her fault that she was given a very different character to play (yes on this point I have to say that her pretending to be formidable while she is good at heart was a bit far-fetched). Frieda Inescort was a deliciously snooty Caroline Bingley.
OK, so the costumes seem like they were borrowed from "Gone with the wind", still, it couldn't destroy the delightful, light atmosphere of the film as a whole. It is a delightful comedy of manners and thus one should treat it as such.
It's just alot of fun
Review date: 2004-10-08 Rating: 10 out of 10
I know this really is a bad adaptation of Pride & Prejudice if you feel you have to be faithfull to the book,but taking that into account they made it really a lot of fun!! Olivier is fantastic whatever you do!!Even if you're a maniac about the book (which by the way I am) you have to enjoy this version
A true disappointment
Review date: 2004-02-24 Rating: 4 out of 10
Though I like Greer Garson very much indeed, this version of Pride and Prejudice is a total dsappoinment. It is not true to the story and neither the characters and there were definately gaps and the womans' costumn is definately wrong. I do not recommend this movie unless you are a Greer Garson fan.
an old favourite
Review date: 2003-10-19 Rating: 10 out of 10
i haven't seen this film in about five years, but i can still conjure up any scene i choose, due to the fact that i have probably watched it about 50 times whilst growing up.
it is a comedy of manners, with beautifully polite insults; delightful charicatures of the foolish, charming, bumbling, aristocratic and intellectual surround the main believable characters of elizabeth and darcy.
although not historically accurate, and although some liberties have been taken in adapting the book, it is perfect sunday afternoon, just after a big dinner, raining outside, next to a fireplace viewing
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Edna May Oliver
Greer Garson
Maureen O'Sullivan
Laurence Olivier
Mary Boland
Creators:
Greer Garson (Primary Contributor)
Laurence Olivier (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 0012569793682
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Black & White, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, NTSC,
Release date: 2006-10-10
Universal product code (UPC): 012569793682
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Region code: 1
Running time: 118 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1940-07-26
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: Portuguese (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)