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Pride and Prejudice is a 1995 British television drama serial, adapted in six episodes by Andrew Davies from Jane Austen's novel of the same name, originally published in 1813. The novel has been the subject of numerous television and film adaptations — this was the sixth adaptation for the BBC alone, previous BBC television versions having aired in 1938, 1952, 1958, 1967 and 1980.

The six-episode dramatisation starred Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet and Colin Firth as Mr Darcy. It was produced by the BBC with co-funding from the Arts & Entertainment Network in the United States, which also aired the production. The six fifty-five-minute episodes were originally screened on BBC One at 9 p.m. on Sunday evenings from September 24 to October 29 1995, and, due to the huge popularity of the programme, were quickly repeated the following year — the repeat even earning a Radio Times cover, something highly unusual for the second showing of a production.

Episode guide

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This follows the six episodes as initially shown on the BBC.

Episode 1

The series opens with Mr. Charles Bingley and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy on horseback, viewing the Netherfield estate in Hertfordshire. Bingley wants to lease a country house and asks Darcy for his opinion on the house. Darcy states Bingley might find the society quite savage; Bingley responds he finds country manners charming, and Darcy then encourages him to take it. Up on a hill, Elizabeth Bennet views the two men on horseback. She skips down the hill and returns to her house, Longbourn, outside the village of Meryton. We are introduced to the Bennet Family: Mr. Bennet, his wife Mrs. Fanny Bennet, and their five daughters: Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine (Kitty) and Lydia.

After church, Mrs. Bennet informs the family group about the arrival of a rich man from the north of England (Mr. Bingley). Mrs. Bennet is quite excited at the prospect of him marrying one of the girls as the family's estate is entailed and their daughters are ineligible to inherit Longbourn upon Mr. Bennet's death.

At the Meryton assembly rooms, the Bennets and the villagers meet the new arrivals for the first time. The party includes Bingley, his sisters Miss Caroline Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, his brother-in-law Mr. Hurst and his friend Darcy. Word spreads quickly that Darcy is a richer man than Bingley, owning a massive estate called Pemberley in Derbyshire and having an income of £10 000 a year, twice Bingley's. Bingley takes an immediate liking to Jane but Darcy is seen as an arrogant, taciturn man. Darcy refuses to stand up with anyone and Elizabeth overhears Darcy call her "tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt " to dance. Elizabeth's impression of Darcy's character is reiterated at a gathering at Lucas Lodge, the home of her best friend Charlotte Lucas and her family. The gathering also features the arrival of the militia.

Mr. Bingley's sisters find the society unsophisticated but nevertheless decide to cultivate a friendship with Jane. Jane is invited to Netherfield but at her mother's insistence goes on horseback "because it looks like rain and you'll have to stay the night". However, Jane catches a cold and a concerned Elizabeth walks to Netherfield on foot where her appearance is made fun of by the two Bingley sisters. Charles invites Elizabeth to stay at Netherfield while Jane recovers. Elizabeth and Darcy verbally clash on the two nights she is there. Handsome and debonaire Darcy finds an intellectual equal and a growing attraction to Elizabeth.

Episode 2

Mr. William Collins, a sycophantic clergyman who enjoys the patronage of Lady Catherine de Bourgh of Rosings Park, visits his cousins, the Bennets. Collins is set to inherit Longbourn and he discloses to Mrs. Bennet that he wishes to marry one of his cousins. Mrs. Bennet suggests that Jane could be soon engaged, and Mr. Collins's attention switches then to Elizabeth.

Mr. Collins, Elizabeth, Jane, Kitty and Lydia walk to Meryton village. There they meet some members of the militia whom Kitty and Lydia find attractive. The party is also introduced to a new member of the militia, Mr. George Wickham. Passing them on the street are Bingley and Darcy on horseback. Darcy is about to dismount when he sees Wickham. They recognise each other and Darcy quickly departs. Elizabeth sees the nature of their exchange. Later at a gathering at Mrs. Phillips house (sister of Mrs. Bennet), Wickham confides in Elizabeth that he had known Darcy all his life as he was the son of the late Mr. Darcy's (Darcy's father) steward. Wickham states that when Darcy's father died, the living that was promised to him (to be a clergyman on the Pemberley estate) was not pledged to him by Darcy, leaving him no recourse but to pursue a military career. Elizabeth is appalled at Darcy's behaviour as this has reduced Wickham to his present state of poverty.

The Bennets are invited to Netherfield for a ball. Mr. Collins dances with Elizabeth for the first dance but shows he is no dancer. Later, Elizabeth is about to tell her best friend Charlotte about Darcy's behaviour towards Wickham but Charlotte interrupts her as Darcy approaches. Darcy asks for Elizabeth's hand for the next dance and Elizabeth can think of no excuse and agrees. Elizabeth is angry with herself as she had vowed eternal loathing and never to dance with Mr. Darcy. Charlotte cautions her behaviour around a man who has "ten times the consequence" of Wickham.

Darcy and Elizabeth in this pivotal dance bear out each other's measure and mettle. At the end of dance, she has unnerved Darcy, though she herself still finds him a resentful and unpleasant character.

At the dinner, the Bennets make a spectacle of themselves. Mary Bennet plays and sings badly at the pianoforte, which irks Caroline Bingley. Mr. Collins introduces himself to Mr. Darcy while Darcy leaves midway through Mr. Collins's introduction. Mr. Bennet interrupts Mary's playing of a second song while Mrs. Bennet loudly proclaims that Jane's relationship with Bingley will thrust the other girls into the paths of other rich men.

The day after the ball, Mr. Collins proposes to Elizabeth ,who thoroughly rejects. Mrs. Bennet is very displeased and says to Elizabeth she will never speak to her again if she did not marry Mr. Collins; Mr. Bennet tells his favourite child that he himself will never speak to her if she does. Charlotte Lucas visits the Bennets during this turmoil and invites Mr. Collins to stay at Lucas Lodge while the tempest blows over the failed marriage proposal.

Episode 3

News that Charlotte Lucas has accepted a proposal from Mr. Collins mortifies Elizabeth, who is concerned that her best friend is marrying one of the stupidest men in England. Charlotte imparts to Elizabeth that she is not romantic but seeks a comfortable and secure home. The friends make up and Elizabeth promises to visit Charlotte at her new home.

The Netherfield party also departs for London which upsets Mrs. Bennet's plans. Jane is saddened at the letter Caroline sends her which reveals Caroline's plans for an alliance between her brother and Darcy's sister, Georgiana Darcy. Elizabeth suggests Jane stay with their London relatives, the Gardiners. In London, Jane calls upon the Bingleys at their imposing townhouse at Grosvenor Square. She is coldly received by Caroline and Mrs. Hurst. Nevertheless, Caroline returns her call at the relatively modest Gardiner home in Cheapside. Both encounters leave Jane the impression that she has overestimated her friendship with Caroline and that Mr. Bingley's interest in her has waned.

In the interim, Mr. Wickham proves to be a very popular and sociable fellow. He and Elizabeth share a few conversations but a friendship, rather than romance, prevails. Mr. Wickham is interested in pursuing women with income, which Elizabeth wholly appreciates, stating that what her younger sisters do not know is that young men like Mr. Wickham also need a fortune to live on. It is revealed that he is engaged to Mary King, who has just inherited a great fortune.

Elizabeth departs for the Collinses' with Sir William Lucas and his daughter Maria. The Collinses live in a lodge next to the great estate of Rosings Park, home of the formidable Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Lady Catherine is the sister of Mr. Darcy's mother and therefore his aunt. Lady Catherine has a daughter Anne, who is intended for marriage to her cousin Mr. Darcy. Anne is sickly and quiet.

Lady Catherine's two nephews, Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam (the younger son of the Earl of Matlock), visit Rosings Park and the Collinses. Colonel Fitzwilliam is complimentary to Elizabeth, saying that he had heard good things about her from Darcy. This good opinion of Darcy's surprises Elizabeth and she dismisses this as mischiefmaking.

Elizabeth plays the piano at Rosings Park, where she spars with Darcy. She tells Colonel Fitzwilliam about Darcy's unsocial behaviour in Hertfordshire. Darcy reveals to her that he is not comfortable in introducing himself to strangers. Elizabeth mocks this as she believes that he has all the good fortune and education of a wealthy man. He says that she likes to profess opinions that are not her own. She counters this is mere laziness on his part as he does not practice enough to be sociable.

During her stay at Rosings, Elizabeth takes walks around the estate. She encounters Darcy while he is on horseback but he says nothing to her. Darcy also visits her at the Collinses' while she is alone but he is mute and does not say much. At another walk she meets with Colonel Fitzwilliam who reveals that Darcy has congratulated himself on saving a good friend from an imprudent marriage. Elizabeth realises that Darcy is talking about Bingley and Jane and that Darcy has involved himself to separate them both. Elizabeth feigns a headache, returns to the Collinses' and excuses herself from a dinner with Lady Catherine.

Darcy pays a call at the Collinses' and proposes to Elizabeth. Darcy states that despite all circumstances that will make his alliance with Elizabeth a reprehensible connection, he cannot but admit that he ardently admires and loves her. Taken aback by this revelation and bearing in mind his role in stunting her sister's romance, Elizabeth flatly rejects him. Darcy and Elizabeth argue; he, about her family's appalling lack of etiquette; she, about his arrogant, disagreeable and proud character. She relates his role in her sister's romance and Mr. Wickham's misfortune. Darcy starts at the mention of Wickham and is surprised that this is what Elizabeth thinks of him.

He points out her own character flaws and states that if he had flattered her that would not have been his true character. He leaves her, wishing her the best of health and happiness. She is left feeling distressed as she had always thought her dislike of him was mutual.

Episode 4

Darcy writes a long letter to Elizabeth detailing the circumstances surrounding Mr. Wickham. In a series of flashbacks, the episode shows two young boys fishing together; Darcy catching Wickham in flagrante at Cambridge; Darcy writing a cheque to Wickham showing that Wickham wanted the money instead of the living; and finally, Wickham's intended elopement with Darcy's sister Georgiana at Ramsgate which Darcy found out just in time by arriving unexpectedly a day early.

The next morning, Elizabeth takes a walk around Rosings and sees Darcy. She is about to avoid him but Darcy sees her and gives her the explanatory letter. Elizabeth starts reading the letter and reads Darcy's involvement in stopping the romance between Bingley and Jane. Darcy writes that he dissuaded his friend because he observed that Jane did not seem to truly care for Bingley. This echoes Charlotte Lucas' earlier comment that Jane should show her attraction to Bingley more, not less, if she is to secure him. Darcy states he was supported by Bingley's sisters who pointed out the evils of an alliance with the Bennets. Elizabeth is angered by this information and returns to the Collinses'. Maria Lucas informs her that Colonel Fitzwilliam and Darcy had been waiting for her but just left.

After the Rosings sojourn, Elizabeth leaves knowing she has much to conceal about her time there. Elizabeth meets up with her sisters Kitty and Lydia at a coach inn and she is told that the militia have left Meryton for Brighton and that Mr. Wickham's engagement with Mary King was called off. Mary King had inherited a substantial fortune but her uncle was against the engagement. Elizabeth says she is glad to hear this news and that "Mary King is safe." Nevertheless, an invitation to Brighton has been issued to Lydia to be the personal friend of one of the officer's wives. Elizabeth's opposition is overruled by her father.

Elizabeth meets up with her London relatives, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. They propose a trip with her to the north with an itinerary that includes Derbyshire. Her aunt Mrs. Gardiner grew up in Lambton, a village whose only claim to fame was its proximity to Pemberley, the great estate of the Darcys. Elizabeth enjoys the views and sights of the counties that they visit. Staying at an inn, the Gardiners suggest to Elizabeth that Pemberly is nearby and it would be nice to see it. Elizabeth is reluctant to visit Pemberley, saying she would feel awkward, but Mr. Gardiner argues there was no awkwardness when they visited another great estate, Chatsworth. Elizabeth finally agrees upon hearing that the Darcys are absent, and they journey to Pemberley.

In the meantime, Darcy is in London at a fencing lesson. He says he is returning to his estate, so he cannot continue his lessons. At a private moment he says to himself that he will overcome this, referring to his great romantic disappointment with Elizabeth. At Pemberley, the housekeeper shows the Gardiners and Elizabeth the various rooms of the house. Elizabeth is greatly impressed by the immense scale and richness of the estate — and can't help imagining herself the mistress. Her heart is softened towards Darcy as she hears the housekeeper's earnest tales of her master's lifelong goodness; Elizabeth must question if she has misjudged him. They walk to the gallery room and Elizabeth stares at the portrait of Darcy. In the meantime, Darcy has arrived on the estate, sweaty and tired from his journey. At the pond he disrobes to one layer of clothing and dives into the water.

Walking in the garden, Elizabeth admires the beauty of Pemberley. Unexpectedly there appears before her Mr. Darcy, soaking wet and disheveled. Embarrassed and surprised at each other's presence, Darcy and Elizabeth chat awkwardly. Elizabeth apologises, saying they would never have come if she had known he would be here, but Darcy gallantly assures her he takes no offense, on the grounds that he had come home a day early without warning. Darcy excuses himself and the Gardiners say that he must be the great man himself although appearing less formally attired. Elizabeth is mortified and hurries back to the carriage.

Darcy quickly changes into more formal attire and looks for Elizabeth. Finding her resolved to leave, Darcy asks if she liked Pemberley. Elizabeth says she does and Darcy teases her, saying that she rarely is complimentary therefore her approval is more worth the earning. Darcy's behaviour is more relaxed than in any place she has seen him. Darcy is friendly to the Gardiners and invites Mr. Gardiner to fish in his pond. Darcy and Elizabeth walk along an avenue and Darcy states that the Bingleys are coming tomorrow. He particularly wants to introduce Elizabeth to his sister. She readily agrees to that and Darcy thanks her. He accompanies her back to her carriage and Elizabeth looks back at Darcy as he disappears from her view.

Episode 5

As Elizabeth enters the Lambton inn where she and the Gardiners are lodging, Hannah the servant girl tells her that Mr. Darcy and his sister are waiting for her. Darcy introduces Elizabeth to Georgiana and an instant rapport forms between the two. Georgiana is shy and not arrogant as Mr. Wickham described. Darcy has also brought with him Mr. Bingley. Bingley says that he had not seen her since the Netherfield ball and enquires if all her sisters are still in Longbourn. Elizabeth detects his sustained interest in Jane. Georgiana invites Elizabeth and the Gardiners to Pemberley as she had heard so much about her playing and singing.

The next evening, Elizabeth sings and plays on the piano while Darcy stares at her, transfixed. After finishing her aria (Mozart's "Voi, che sapete" from The Marriage of Figaro), Caroline Bingley accosts Elizabeth and said it must be a great loss to her family that the militia has left as she heard Mr. Wickham had been a favourite. Georgiana hears Wickham's name and her playing (of Beethoven's "Andante Favori") is interrupted; Elizabeth immediately goes to her side to turn the pages of the piano piece, hiding Miss Darcy's secret from the Bingleys. Darcy, who was ready to intervene, settles back and admires Elizabeth. Elizabeth looks up and they stare at each other — Darcy, expressing his admiration; Elizabeth, smiling at him for the first time.

The Gardiners leave, with Darcy the last to walk back into the house. During the post-entertainment refreshments, Caroline disparages Elizabeth and tries to provoke Darcy into agreeing with her. Bingley tries to change the subject but Caroline continues her criticism. Finally, Darcy responds to Caroline stating he finds Elizabeth as one of the most handsomest women of his acquaintance. This abruptly stops Caroline's flow. Later that night, Darcy walks with his dogs to the music room and he stares at the piano, reminiscing the way Elizabeth looked up to stare at him. Darcy is resolved to renew his addresses and the next morning leaves for Lambton.

In the morning, Elizabeth receives two letters from Jane, the first delayed for having been misdirected. The Gardiners leave her while they walk to the church. Jane's letters contain distressing news: Lydia has eloped with Wickham and Jane begs Elizabeth to return home immediately; and they begin to fear that Wickham's intent is not marriage, increasing the scandal. As Elizabeth is about to leave the inn to find the Gardiners, Darcy walks in and sees her in a highly distressed state. Darcy tries to calm Elizabeth but Elizabeth is in tears. Gradually, Elizabeth is finally able to tell him her distressing news. Darcy digests this news and asks if anything has been done, before taking his leave. Darcy gives her one long look before closing the door; Elizabeth says to herself that she will probably never see him again.

Returning to Longbourn, there is chaos. Mrs. Bennet kept to her bedroom, ill at the scandal, while Mr. Bennet has left for London to look for Lydia. Jane produces a letter written by Lydia to a close friend. In it she says that she is eloping with Wickham and this will surprise her family. Mrs. Bennet cries out for her poor, poor girl, and the next scene shows Lydia bored in London while Wickham is writing letters to his debtors. Wickham asks her to come away from the window while Lydia wants to see the sights of London.

In the meantime, at Pemberley, Georgiana plays the pianoforte while Darcy stares distracted. Caroline teases him saying he must be pining for Elizabeth. Darcy gives her an irritated look and leaves the room. Darcy has decided to go to London to look for Lydia. He visits Mrs. Younge, who was Georgiana's chaperone at Ramsgate and is close friends with Wickham. He forces his way into the house as the door is about to close on him.

Back at Longbourn, Mr. Collins also pays a visit to the Bennet girls with the exception of Kitty who hides at the sight of his carriage. Mr. Collins says that he has informed Lady Catherine de Bourgh about the event and states that Lydia's death would have been better than her elopement. Elizabeth uses his lamentation that nobody will want to associate with the family against him to send him away, hopefully forever. As Mr. Collins departs, Mrs. Phillips arrives with tales of debauchery, confinements and scandals about Wickham's behaviour at Meryton. Mrs. Bennet cries at this news.

Mr. Bennet has returned in a state of foreboding. When he finally makes an appearance, Mr. Bennet states that he has not disciplined the girls and from now on he will be more strict. Kitty says she does not see what wrong Lydia has done and if she were invited to Brighton she would be better behaved. Mr. Bennet says that she would never go to Brighton and that she would never be let loose into society unless one of her older sisters is with her.

One morning, an express arrives for Mr. Bennet. In the garden, Jane and Elizabeth confront their father. The letter from Mr. Gardiner imparts that Lydia and Wickham have been found and are not married, but will be soon. Mr. Bennet is shocked by the ease in which the issue has been resolved and wonders how he could ever repay Mr. Gardiner.

At night, Elizabeth discusses the event with Jane and tells her that Darcy knows about it. She also tells Jane about the ambivalent feelings she has for Darcy. Jane pointed out that she never welcomed nor sought Darcy's feelings when he expressed them. Elizabeth attempts to articulate her feelings and says she does not like the fact that he is alive somewhere in the world and thinking ill of her. The final shot shows Darcy sitting down and contemplating.

Episode 6

Mrs. Bennet's cries of delight at the happy news can be heard throughout the house. She intends to leave her bedroom and tell everyone the good news. Mr. Bennet asks Elizabeth to close the library door behind her and he tells Elizabeth the sum of money Wickham would have asked for marrying Lydia. The following scene shows Lydia on the arm of Mr. Gardiner climbing the steps to a London church, which is deserted except for Mrs. Gardiner, the priest, Wickham and Mr. Darcy. They are then married in this church.

At the breakfast table, Mr. Bennet reads a letter from Mr. Gardiner and waves a list of Wickham's debts. Wickham has received a commission for a northern regiment. The newly married couple would like to take a detour and visit Longbourn before their journey north. The Wickhams visit Longbourn — warmly welcomed by Mrs. Bennet but cautiously by the rest of the family. Lydia emphasises that the order of precedence amongst the sisters has changed because she is the married woman and must go before Jane. At a nearby park, Wickham practices horse jumping while the sisters chat about what has happened. Lydia says that if they all went to Brighton she could have found husbands for all of them but Elizabeth counters that she does not particularly like the way Lydia 'caught' her husband. Lydia also tells her that she would have liked other officers to have been present at the wedding but only Darcy could be there. Elizabeth's shocked reaction causes Lydia to remember that this information was secret. Elizabeth immediately writes to Mrs. Gardiner.

Mrs. Gardiner responds to Elizabeth's request and writes about the pivotal role Darcy played in bringing the marriage together, i.e., finding the errant couple and paying for all the expenses. In Mrs. Gardiner's flashback, Darcy says that the fault was his in not revealing Wickham's true character to the world and so the remedy must be his too. He tells the Gardiners that he will not be deterred in bearing all the costs and only asks that Mr. Gardiner receive the recognition for his work. After reading the letter, Elizabeth is interrupted by Wickham. Wickham tries to ingratiate himself with Elizabeth and find about her opinion of the Darcys. Elizabeth reveals that she liked Georgiana very much, that she found Darcy just as he is, and she knows about Wickham's lie about the Pemberley living and that he was compensated for it. Wickham is taken aback but Elizabeth says that the past is the past and they are now brother and sister. Elizabeth is relieved when the Wickhams leave.

As the winter months pass, news arrive that the Bingleys have returned to Netherfield. Mrs. Bennet is excited at the news while Jane and Elizabeth knowingly exchange glances. Bingley visits Longbourn with Darcy. Elizabeth stares at Darcy but Darcy's face reveals nothing. Mrs. Bennet dominates the conversation and neither Bingley nor Darcy speaks much. Elizabeth asks if Bingley intends to stay long at Netherfield and he replies affirmatively while staring at Jane. Darcy notices this response. Later, Jane says that she can handle his presence and be indifferent acquaintances; Elizabeth tells her their love and attraction for each other is highly visible.

Back at Netherfield, Darcy is leaving for London and is apologising to Bingley for not telling him that Jane was in town. Bingley is agitated at this revelation but asks for Darcy's approval. He gives it to Bingley and Bingley returns to Longbourn to propose to Jane. The engagement of Bingley and Jane is welcomed happily by everyone with Mr. Bennet teasing Jane about the sweet-natured generosity of the couple.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh makes a surprise visit to Longbourn. Her appearance is greeted with curiosity by all the Bennets. Eventually, she asks Elizabeth to go out with her into the garden. There, Lady Catherine reveals that she has heard that Elizabeth is engaged to Darcy. She had set forth to Longbourn to have this rumour disproved. Elizabeth is wary and tries to avoid saying anything solid about her relationship with Darcy. Lady Catherine is frustrated with Elizabeth's evasion and eventually receives the answer she is looking for — Elizabeth is not engaged to Darcy. However, Elizabeth refuses to rule out a future engagement with Darcy. Lady Catherine is furious and declaims the shades of Pemberley would be polluted by an alliance with her. Elizabeth walks away and Lady Catherine leaves intending to tell her nephew all about Elizabeth's insolence and obstinance. Elizabeth is nerved by this confrontation. Later, her father tells her he has received a letter from Mr. Collins saying a rumour is circulating that she is soon to be engaged to Mr. Darcy. While Mr. Bennet finds this amusing, he notices that Elizabeth is "missish" about this idle report. Elizabeth does not find anything amusing about this at all.

Bingley and Darcy call on the Bennets one afternoon. Darcy bows deeply in the direction of Elizabeth while Elizabeth just stares at him warily. They walk to Meryton (Bingley and Jane; Darcy, Elizabeth and Kitty). Once Kitty leaves to visit Maria Lucas, Elizabeth finds the right moment to approach Darcy about his role in Lydia's marriage. Darcy is not too pleased with finding his part has been discovered, but Elizabeth tells him that it was not her aunt's fault but rather her sister's for revealing this information. Darcy tells her that he did it all for her. Elizabeth is surprised and Darcy continues saying that if she held the same views of him as he did when he first proposed, then she should say so now to silence him on the subject forever. Elizabeth coyly looks at him and says that her feelings have undergone a transformation, they are, "in fact, quite the opposite." Darcy is heartened by this news and tells her that Lady Catherine's revelation allowed him to hope as he had scarcely ever allowed himself to hope before. The couple finally meet on common ground and they become engaged.

Elizabeth's engagement is met with surprise by Jane, and her father. Mr. Bennet is concerned that though she might be wealthy, will she be happy? Elizabeth tells him vigorously that Darcy is someone who will make her very happy; though she did not love him before, she loves him now. Mr. Bennet gives his daughter a kiss on the head and tells her that he could not have parted with her with a less worthy man. The double wedding of Jane and Bingley and Elizabeth and Darcy takes place at the Longbourn church. After the wedding, Darcy smiles broadly for the first time and in the open-air carriage he and Elizabeth share a long, tender kiss.

Cast and crew

Cast

• Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet
• Colin Firth as Fitzwilliam Darcy
• Adrian Lukis as George Wickham
• Alison Steadman as Mrs Bennet
• Benjamin Whitrow as Mr Bennet
• Susannah Harker as Jane Bennet
• Julia Sawalha as Lydia Bennet
• Lucy Briers as Mary Bennet
• Polly Maberly as Kitty Bennet
• Crispin Bonham-Carter as Charles Bingley
• Anna Chancellor as Caroline Bingley
• Lucy Robinson as Mrs Hurst
• Rupert Vansittart as Mr Hurst
• Lucy Scott as Charlotte Lucas
• David Bamber as Mr. Collins
• Lucy Davis as Maria Lucas
• Christopher Benjamin as Sir William Lucas
• Barbara Leigh-Hunt as Lady Catherine de Bourgh
• Nadia Chambers as Anne de Bourgh
• Emilia Fox as Georgiana Darcy
• Anthony Calf as Colonel Fitzwilliam
• Victoria Hamilton as Mrs Forster
• Lynn Farleigh as Mrs Phillips
• Joanna David as Mrs Gardiner
• Tim Wylton as Mr Gardiner

Crew

• Director: Simon Langton
• Producer: Sue Birtwistle
• Executive Producer: Michael Wearing
• Script: Andrew Davies and Jane Austen (novel)

Critical reception

Gerald Gilbert, writing in The Independent newspaper, was enthusiastic in recommending the opening episode of the serial to his readers before the run began. "As far as TV adaptations of literary classics go (which is usually about 50 per cent), this is probably as good as it gets. The casting in particular deserves a tilt at a BAFTA, Firth not being in the slightest bit soft and fluffy — and Jennifer Ehle showing the right brand of spirited intelligence as Elizabeth. Benjamin Withrow is shaping up to be a real scene-stealer with his Mr Bennet, but my jury is still out on Alison Steadman's Mrs Bennet as part panto-dame."

Reviewing the first episode for the same newspaper on the day after transmission, Jim White believed that the adaptation was superior to the original novel itself. "If you'd never read one of her books, you'd think it was no wonder Jane took sick: it must have been a lot more interesting being in bed than hanging around in that environment. Andrew Davies's take on Pride and Prejudice has changed all that, injecting into the proceedings a pace and energy which at last provides a visual setting to do justice to the wit of the book. With everyone slinging themselves about at high speed (the dances, in a first for the genre, actually involve a bit of sweat), it looks like people are doing something you would never have suspected they did in Austen's time: having fun."

Pride and Prejudice was released on VHS in the UK in the week running up to the original transmission of the final episode, leading to a huge boost in sales due to many viewers wanting to find out the ending early, despite it already having been available for nearly two hundred years in book form. The entire initial run of 12,000 copies of the double-video set sold out within two hours of release, and 70,000 had been sold by the end of the first week of sales. The serial continues to be internationally popular, and has been released on DVD three times now, initially in 2000 and then in a digitally remastered 'Tenth Anniversary Edition' in September 2005, and finally in April 2007 as part of a 'Classic Drama DVD' Magazine Collection.

The fictional columnist Bridget Jones, also of The Independent — and in reality the creation of author Helen Fielding — wrote of her love of the serial in the paper's pages in her Bridget Jones's Diary column. "8.55 Just nipped out for fags ready for Pride and Prejudice. Hard to believe there are so many cars out on the roads. Shouldn't they be at home getting ready? Love the nation being so addicted. The basis of my own addiction, I know, is my simple human need for Darcy to get off with Elizabeth." The football guru Nick Hornby states in his book Fever Pitch that men do not wish themselves on the pitch, claims Hornby. Instead they see their team as their chosen representatives, rather like Parliament. "That is precisely my feeling about Darcy and Elizabeth. They are my chosen representatives in the field of shagging, or rather courtship. I do not, however, wish to see any actual goals. I would hate to see Darcy and Elizabeth in bed smoking a cigarette afterwards."

Praise for the serial continued in the years following its original transmission. In a 2000 poll of industry professionals conducted by the British Film Institute to find the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes of the 20th century, Pride and Prejudice made the list at number 99. It was described on the BFI's website as "Managing to combine faithfulness to the novel with a freshness that appealed across the generations." This mini-series was rated 100% fresh by Rotten Tomatoes.

Production

100 days were scheduled to complete six hours of filming. Many of the shots of Elizabeth dancing with Darcy at the Netherfield Ball were unusable due to a hair being trapped in front of the camera lens. The last two scenes filmed were Mr Darcy's second proposal and Lady Catherine's confrontation with Elizabeth at Longbourn.

Firth's hair, eyebrows, and lashes were dyed for the role of Mr Darcy. Three wigs were used for Elizabeth since Ehle's hair was blonde. Ehle dyed her eyebrows brown.

The serial was shot on Super 16, but was broadcast in a 14:9 aspect ratio on the BBC in 1995, this being prior to the UK's move to digital widescreen transmission. However, for BBC Worldwide's 2000 DVD release, the serial was re-mastered for 16:9, although the opening sequence and the very final shot of each episode had to be digitally zoomed and cropped from the 14:9 broadcast version.

Locations

Twenty-four locations were used for filming, and eight studio sets were built including Lucas Lodge, Lambton Inn, the coaching inn, and the Meryton assembly room. One of the locations used was Lyme Hall, Cheshire as the location for the external shots of Pemberley. Sudbury Hall (Derbyshire) was used for the interior scenes. The following locations were also used:

• Belton House, Grantham, Lincolnshire, England, UK (Rosings)
• Brocket Hall, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, UK (Netherfield ball room)
• Edgcote Hall, Banbury, Oxfordshire, England, UK (Netherfield interior and exterior)
• Lacock, Wiltshire, England, UK (the village Meryton, exterior)
• Lord Leycester Hospital, Warwick, Warwickshire, England, UK (London streets and coaching inn at night, exteriors)
• Luckington Court, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England, UK (Longbourn interior and exterior)
• Old Rectory, Teigh Oakham, Leicestershire, England, UK (Hunsford Parsonage) Oxfordshire, England, UK
• Wiltshire, England, UK near, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England, UK (Ramsgate exterior)

Trivia

This article contains a list of miscellaneous information. Please relocate any relevant information into other sections or articles. (May 2008)

• Helen Fielding would later make Bridget Jones's love of the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice a central point of her novel version of the column, Bridget Jones's Diary, particularly when Bridget herself falls in love with a man named Darcy. The 2001 film version of the book strengthened the connections, being co-written by Pride and Prejudice scriptwriter Andrew Davies and starring Firth as Bridget's love interest Mark Darcy.
• Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle began a romantic relationship during the filming of the series, but the relationship did not last.
• Joanna David (Mrs. Gardiner) is the real-life mother of Emilia Fox (Georgiana Darcy)
• Barbara Leigh-Hunt (Lady Catherine) is godmother to Judi Dench's daughter, Finty Williams. Dench played Lady Catherine in the 2005 film.
• Firth reprised his Mr. Darcy role as Mark Darcy in two films based on Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones character. In a 2006 interview with French magazine, Madame Figaro, Firth was asked "Quelles sont les femmes de votre vie?" (Who are the women in your life?). Firth replied: "Ma mère, ma femme et Jane Austen" (My mother, my wife and Jane Austen).

Music

Music in the series played a complementary part. Music was an important expression of entertainment, amusement and to alleviate boredom (as can be seen in Mary Bennet's playing in a winter scene). As pointed out by Caroline Bingley (one of the six accomplishments) and Lady de Bourgh, a woman's performance at the pianoforte was much admired by the society of the time. Music from Mozart and Beethoven and English period dance feature heavily.

• Carl Davis wrote the soundtrack. The theme music for the series is a three and a half minute concertino in E-flat for piano and orchestra, and is reminiscent of late Mozart or John Field, and is even in sonata form.
• At the Meryton Assembly, the following English country dance music can be heard "The Comical Fellow" (Thompson 1776), "A Trip to Highgate" (Thompson 1777), "The Touchstone" (Thompson 1777), "The First of April" and "The Happy Captive"
• At Lucas Lodge, Mary Bennet plays Air con Varizzioni by Handel. She then plays "The Pleasure of the Town"
• At Mrs. Phillips's house, Lydia Bennet entreats Mary Bennet to play "The Barley Mow" (Thompson 1779)
• Elizabeth and her family climb the steps of Netherfield as the orchestra plays Mozart's "ecco la marcia" (English translation: here comes the march) which featured in The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni.
• Elizabeth and Mr. Collins dance to "The Shrewsbury Lasses" from Thompson (1765)
• Elizabeth and Darcy dance to "Mr. Beveridge's Maggot."
• Mary Bennet sings 'Slumber, Dear Maid' to Handel's Largo from his opera, Xerxes. Mary starts singing Franz Josef Haydn's Pastoral Song for Voice and Keyboard (English Canzonettas 1, H.26a/27) "My Mother Bids Me Bind My Hair" before she is interrupted by her father.
• In the Netherfield ball dinner, Mrs Hurst plays Mozart's KV331 Rondo Alla Turca (English translation: Turkish variation of the rondo) on the piano immediately after Mary Bennet's performance.
• When Elizabeth is climbing the rocks in Derbyshire a horn version of Schubert's song for male choir "Die Allmacht" D875a is playing in the background.
• Elizabeth sings the English translation of Cherubino's aria "Voi Che Sapete" (English translation: Tell me what love is) which is from Mozart's opera The Marriage of Figaro.
• Georgiana Darcy plays Beethoven's Andante Favori as Elizabeth and Darcy share a longing glance across the room at Pemberley.
• Georgiana plays the second movement from Muzio Clementi's Sonatina No.4 in the evening at Pemberley after Darcy finds out about Lydia's elopement.

See also

• BBC television drama
• Jane Austen
• Pride and Prejudice (the novel)
• Republic of Pemberley
• Pride and Prejudice (1980 TV serial)

References

• Sue Birtwistle and Susie Conklin (1995). The Making of Pride and Prejudice. Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-025157-X.

1. Gilbert, Gerald. Preview – Recommended Viewing This Weekend. "The Independent". Saturday September 23 1995. Page 28.
2. White, Jim. Television Review. "The Independent". Monday September 25 1995. Page 24.
3. Moyes, Jojo. BBC cashes in as 'Darcy phenomenon' has nation in a swoon. "The Independent". Saturday October 28 1995. Page 7.
4. Jones, Bridget (Helen Fielding). Bridget Jones's Diary. "The Independent". Wednesday October 25 1995. Page 5.
5. Taylor, Veronica (2000). British Film Institute TV 100 entry on Pride and Prejudice. Retrieved September 21 2005.
6. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pride_and_prejudice_miniseries/
7. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - The Derbyshire and Peak District National Park Connection
8. SAGA (2002). Interview. Retrieved November 13 2006.
9. IMDB biography: Barbara Leigh-Hunt
10. In Private with Colin Firth
11. http://www.sls.hawaii.edu/contra/dances/austen.html
12. http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Cinema/1280/pp.html
13. http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Cinema/1280/pp.html
14. http://www.sls.hawaii.edu/contra/dances/barley.html
15. http://www.sls.hawaii.edu/contra/dances/austen.html
16. http://www.mmguide.musicmatch.com/album/work_classical.cgi?WORKID=10121

External links

• Pride & Prejudice at Rotten Tomatoes
• Pride and Prejudice at bbc.co.uk
• Pride and Prejudice at IMDb
• Pride and Prejudice at tv.com
• British Film Institute Screen Online (1995 series)
• Pride and Prejudice Paradise - Fan site

• Articles with trivia sections from May 2008
• BBC television dramas
• Television programs based on Jane Austen novels
• Peabody Award winners