I've been duped by some of the reviews I read about this earlier production of PnP. This 1980 production of Jane Austen's most popular novel is the worst adaptation of any book I have ever seen.After watching the 1995 production of PnP, I was inspired to read the book and to look for other PnP adaptations. The 1940 movie was laughable, it was not close to the book at all and this 1980 version was just plain awful. Some may think that this earlier production is close to the book and I agree it is, only because everyone recited the whole book word for word but it failed miserably in capturing the true spirit of the book. Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is described as sparkling comedy of manners but there was nothing sparkling about this film. The whole cast acted in slow motion, it bored me to tears.It would be good as a stage play but as a film It was pathetic.
There were so many aspects in which this version failed in comparison to the 1995 adaptation. The whole cast was forgettable. Mr Darcy , oh dear! It was like watching The Terminator act as Mr Darcy. Arnie could have played Mr Darcy and we wouldn't know the difference. The director did not give Jane Austen's hero any personality even though Jane Austen herself mentioned in her book the many different subtle emotional struggles that Mr Darcy felt during the course of the story.She described Mr Darcy as proud in the beginning but David Rintoul was so severe the whole time. Colin Firth was spot on. He is the definitive Mr Darcy. He made us understand the true Character of Mr Darcy and in the end we truly believe that he is the best man for Lizzy.
I would like to mention some scenes which the 1980 film failed miserably. The first proposal of Mr Darcy, both Lizzy and Mr Darcy acted without any feeling , without passion whatsoever. Another scene was the confrontation between Lizzy and Lady Catherine. Lady Catherine sounds like she was suffering from sore throat and Lizzy was almost smiling while being abused by Lady Catherine. It was a lifeless , boring confrontation.And lastly, after reading Jane's letter when Lydia eloped with Wickam, Lizzy went running to Pemberly and cried to Mr Darcy and I thought David Rintoul would at least show some kind of emotion but it was wishful thinking, he was determine to act like a zombie.
Even without watching the 1995 PnP , this earlier adaptation would never have encouraged me to read the book.
There were so many aspects in which this version failed in comparison to the 1995 adaptation. The whole cast was forgettable. Mr Darcy , oh dear! It was like watching The Terminator act as Mr Darcy. Arnie could have played Mr Darcy and we wouldn't know the difference. The director did not give Jane Austen's hero any personality even though Jane Austen herself mentioned in her book the many different subtle emotional struggles that Mr Darcy felt during the course of the story.She described Mr Darcy as proud in the beginning but David Rintoul was so severe the whole time. Colin Firth was spot on. He is the definitive Mr Darcy. He made us understand the true Character of Mr Darcy and in the end we truly believe that he is the best man for Lizzy.
I would like to mention some scenes which the 1980 film failed miserably. The first proposal of Mr Darcy, both Lizzy and Mr Darcy acted without any feeling , without passion whatsoever. Another scene was the confrontation between Lizzy and Lady Catherine. Lady Catherine sounds like she was suffering from sore throat and Lizzy was almost smiling while being abused by Lady Catherine. It was a lifeless , boring confrontation.And lastly, after reading Jane's letter when Lydia eloped with Wickam, Lizzy went running to Pemberly and cried to Mr Darcy and I thought David Rintoul would at least show some kind of emotion but it was wishful thinking, he was determine to act like a zombie.
Even without watching the 1995 PnP , this earlier adaptation would never have encouraged me to read the book.