Most people have a preference as to favorite actors playing their favorite characters. For fun I thought I'd compare the two versions and vote on which version of the characters were my favorites.
SERIES: Elizabeth
Bennet--Jennifer Ehle.
WINNER.
It was was a very bright and strong portrayal.
MOVIE: Elizabeth Bennet – Keira Knightly
Not enough of a presence in the movie.
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THE Mr. Darcy. There is no other.
Ask anyone.
MOVIE: Mr. Darcy -- Matthew Macfadyen
Very handsome, but no one can
top Colin Firth. Sorry abou that.
SERIES: Mr. Wickham -- Adrian Lukis
Very charming and sleazy.
SERIES: Mr. Collins -- David Bamber WINNER
Again, the hair was a factor. So greasy
and icky. And he was so fawning I simply
had to be disgusted by him.
MOVIE: Mr. Collins -- Tom Hollander
Just didn't buy it.
The other sisters, the mother and father, Mr. Bingley . . . the actors in both versions did fine.
The costumes? Although the bodices in the TV series were sometimes too stiff, the sacks that passed for everyday dresses in the movie made the Bennets look far poorer than they were.
Overall, the mini-series wins hands down. I just don't think you can edit this wonderful story down to a 2 hour movie. What do you think?
To cap off my opinion . . . here's one of my favorite pictures of Lizzie and Mr. Darcy's wedding. True love does exist!
If you haven't read the book, there are hundreds of versions, but one I love is an annotated version that has interesting and sometimes funny comments and trivia.
Also, if you'd like to read a biography of Jane Austen, that's factual but reads like a novel (it's Jane telling her life story), try my novel, Just Jane. If you'd like to read an excerpt, click here.
There's good reason that Jane's stories have lasted 200 years./Nancy
MOVIE: Mr. Darcy -- Matthew Macfadyen
Very handsome, but no one can
top Colin Firth. Sorry abou that.
Very charming and sleazy.
MOVIE: Mr. Wickham – Rupert Friend WINNER. I might be prejudiced, but
seeing him in “Young Victoria” makes me a forever fan
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SERIES: Jane Bennet -- Susannah Harker
Sweet, but hated the hair so much I
couldn't believe she was the "pretty one"
even though she is very pretty. She seemed kind of vacant.
 MOVIE: Jane Bennet -- Karen Wasyloski WINNER
So lovely and sweet. Had some life in her.
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SERIES: Mr. Collins -- David Bamber WINNER
Again, the hair was a factor. So greasy
and icky. And he was so fawning I simply
had to be disgusted by him.
MOVIE: Mr. Collins -- Tom HollanderJust didn't buy it.
The other sisters, the mother and father, Mr. Bingley . . . the actors in both versions did fine.
The costumes? Although the bodices in the TV series were sometimes too stiff, the sacks that passed for everyday dresses in the movie made the Bennets look far poorer than they were.
Overall, the mini-series wins hands down. I just don't think you can edit this wonderful story down to a 2 hour movie. What do you think?
To cap off my opinion . . . here's one of my favorite pictures of Lizzie and Mr. Darcy's wedding. True love does exist!
There's good reason that Jane's stories have lasted 200 years./Nancy
I agree with you on all points except for Mr. Collins. Also, I think Keira Knightly did the best she could with a 2-hour movie. You're right -- this story simply cannot be condensed to that small a time slot. Given the task, however, I feel Knightly stepped up to the position and held her own. Also, I like the increased touch of mischief in Knightly.
ReplyDeleteIn a related note, have you seen the graphic novelization of this? Someone bought it for my daughter (age 8) and I was appalled. The illustrations reminded me more of Bratz dolls (which I would never buy for my child) than of classic literary characters. It was, in my opinion, completely distasteful.
Oh, and I loved "Just Jane." :)
I think I'll skip the graphic novelization. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about Kiera and her mischevious vein. Jennifer's portrayal was more serious.
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ReplyDeleteHow can you do a comparison and leave out the 1940 version with Greer Garson and Laurence Oliver? It's my favorite! :) I don't think I have seen the series but I definitely liked the 1940 version over the newest one with Knightly.
ReplyDeleteI'll take a look at that version. I love Olivier.
ReplyDelete