this choreography perfectly timed with the dialogue, not a dancer missing a beat, filmed in a small room stuffed with extras and priceless art, the beautiful costumes, the authentic music, the cameras perfectly following them, the incredible delivery of the lines... this is seriously one of the greatest scenes in film history.
My favorite section is from 0:29 to 1:22. Mr. Darcy turns from Lizzy after sarcastically remarking "Tis no very striking resemblance of your own character, I'm sure..." and when he faces her again, he looks slightly embarrassed for speaking to her that way, but tries to maintain a prideful look. After nearly a minute's break in the conversation, he resumes it in a friendlier tone, asking "Uh, do you often walk into Meryton?" The subtlety in that change of demeanor is so well done.
as a guy who is the 'typical' guy who likes fast cars, hot girls, comic books and lifting weights.... I LOVE PRIDE AND PREJUDICE... the BBC version... nothing else does it justice... Thanks to my mom and sister without which I would have never had this as part of my life. This BBC series, and of course Jane Austin, are perfection! .... this also may be my favorite scene lol
Dude, thank you. Seriously. You have no idea how difficult it is to find people who are well read and aware of classical works of literature and especially television.
There are lots of women who love working on cars, who love lifting and who read comic books. There are lots of men who enjoy a tasteful movie like this, and you and my husband are two of them, sir. Hobbies and likes should not define gender.
This scene is wonderfully constructed. The interaction between Lizzy and Mr Darcy is so expressive of the respective characters/wishes/prejudices that you get fully involved in their various feelings. The severe yet absolutely beautiful music (and in an execution with flaws that makes it so real!) then is bewitching. I can't even express how much I like this rendition of Austen's novel. Many thanks to you for sharing.
I love how Lizzy's basically accusing Darcy of being mean and prejudiced, and the whole time I'm thinking, "Who exactly is the mean and prejudiced one here?"
In fairness to Lizzy, she does have good reason for her dislike of Darcy at this point in the story. He was nasty to her the first time she ever met him, disdainful of her friends and society, and then she hears Wickham's tale of woe, whom she has no reason to doubt as yet.
Everyrthing here is perfection. The actors, the acting, Austen’s superb words, the stately dance perpetually drawing Darcy and Elizabeth together and then casting them apart. Sublime.
Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth are definitely the best Lizzie and Darcy, in my opinion. They offer the most accurate and amusing portrayal of the characters, not to mention that they are the most attractive looking together. It's almost intoxicating, watching this scene and their dance. I've always liked the song played here very much. Could anyone tell me what it's called? Or perhaps the song that Lizzie plays later on? The one that she sings too. It's very beautiful.
This song is a dance called "Mr. Beverage's Maggot", and Lizzy's song is actually an opera aria, from Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. It's called "voi che sapete" but Lizzy is singing an English translation.
Actually, I prefer Matthew MacFayden’s interpretation of Mr Darcy. Colin Firth uses a more icy, cold and mean spirited Mr Darcy which makes it hard to bridge the character over to the protagonist. macFayden’s Darcy is portrayed as social awkwardness thinly veiled by disdain and arrogance. In the end, that’s what it was, social awkwardness and internal struggle. Yet both actors are impeccable!
@@tlandry9689 I totally agree. I think Matthew Macfadyen portrays the most justice to Darcy's character. He is both arrogant and socially awkward. Colin's Darcy is lack of vulnerability.
I will always love and cherish this version of Pride & Prejudice! It is sooooooo romantic! My family and I watch this every year in the spring and we watch it as if it were our first time seeing it. We can all learn a lesson from the way things were done back then when it comes to the writing of love letters to each other, courting, etc. Truly magnificent!
What Darcy thinks: omg, I'm dancing with her, I love her so much, no, okay, but yes, omg I can't. What Darcy says: I am a potato, I like rainbows and fairies.
What Mr Darcy says is subtext, you cannot hear what he says, it is what he implies, likewise Miss Bennett, although her elder sister deserves that title. When for example Darcy says "this is no very striking resemblance of your own character I'm sure", he means, without defying the rules of decorum, I understand that you have without defying the rules of decorum, said/implied that I always try to appear greater than all in the room, i.e. that I have too much pride. What he means is that Elisabeth said we both have a prideful character, where she was really criticising him. Both these characters are honourable though and neither should be disrespected.
At last, so glad to find someone who can admire the true essence of Austen's writing. Pride and prejudice 2005, is wild! Mannerless characters who lick their hands at the dining table! I don't know what Joe Wright was thinking. It was like an insult to this great masterpiece. Kiera was so sarcastic about people who didn't like 2005 version . It was the final blow for me. I can’t stand that version.
I loved Ehle as Elizabeth! I thought she got it just perfect, but I thought that Macfadyen was too nice, he just doesn't strike you as arrogant and proud, whereas I thought Firth pulled it off amazingly, and I just thought that Macfadyen was too gentle, and sweet. I don't know!
I have loved this scene so much since I saw it.... the music, the dance, their conversation, mr. Darcy's eye looking to Elisabeth... love love love!!! I have seen it more than 100 times... wow, maybe I have a problem...
Best Elizabeth Bennett like ever, eve with new modern versions, she is the best. Jane Austen rules, no writer compares to her in my opinion apart from Homer who wrote The Illiad.
This is the best P&P, I have watched it over and over. Love Colin Firth as Darcy, he's so handsome. And this scene I love that music, it's so mesmerizing. I wish we could go back to dances like this. It would be so much fun.
Was riveted to this version when it first aired on A&E in the States. I do believe this version is the best. Of course the 2005 movie version is fantastic as well, but only so much you can cram into 2 hours. "I will by no means suspend any pleasure of yours.". gives it away. He is enchanted with her, even after this conversation during the dance.
I love this performance of Mr. Beveridge's Maggot. I wish I could find it on a recording. The tempo is slower than most and the instrumentation is really nice. I like it a lot.
i have it saved as a treasure on my pc, whenever i suffer from insomnia or i'm upset or stressed i only need to watch at least 1 part of it and i'm calm, relaxed and happy again,in a jiffy :))
And how elegantly they test each others metal, subtle attacks made, parried and riposted. Both looking for weakness in the other's defences. The word play in this adaptation is exquisite.
i love this adaptation of pride and prejudice! i have seen it so many times. i enjoy the 05 version too, as a romance, but the 95 version just really brings jane's characters to life on the screen. i watched this before i read the novel, and i think i enjoyed the novel even more then i would have if i hadn't watched this beforehand.
After watching this version of Pride and Prejudice I can't help but think that the actors in the 2005 version are people pretending to be Austen's characters while Ehle and Firth ARE Elizabeth and Darcy!
Well, they did end up having an affair during and for a while after the series - so, much of their reaction towards each other was going on in real life as well as on the screen.
I totally agree. In the book we get the impression that Lizzy gets away with the things she says because she sounds less confrontational and more satyrical. In the new one, it's like a modern women doing cosplay.
@@Mihela29 I have limited respect for the intelligence of anyone capable of enjoying that dessicated Hollywood drivel, much less someone who would publicly defend it.
@@750nut English Country Dance. It's often shown in Austen films. As in Emma: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Gnh1U32wwYc.html And it's a favourite in reenactment balls:ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OxI616iJTqs.html
This "dance" was the perfect turning point for the characters in this version. Expertly done. Notice the questions and demeanor. These people don't despise each other any longer, they aren't talking about dance or the weather, they're...interested now.
I disagree. I watched Keira Knightley's version first, and months later this one. Before seeing this one, Keira's version was among my favourites but now I don't enjoy watching it at all. Neither is entirely faithful to the book, yet the changes in this one are much less disturbing than Keira's.
I love pride and prejudice, every version of it. Ever since I was in fifth and I read a simplified version of the book. Yes the 2005 version definitely differs, but it satisfies the mind in a sort of romantic way. It shows that in the end they were completely infatuated and in love with each other. Also you must admit the music in the 2005 version is beautiful. This version however follows along with the book better. I really liked Colin firth(one of my favorite British guys) but I also loved kiera knightly. Sadly it wouldn't be possible to put them together with the age difference. But I don't think people should disregard either film because of its reputation or relations with the book or even the actors. Both follow along with what Jane Austen was trying to get across. It's in the title people.
"It's in the title people" How true!!!! I've never heard it better or more succinctly stated. I love many versions of P&P. Each is a work of art in their own right.
The 2005 version is like a children's story, simplified and narrowed down to a one dimensional summary of the plot. The 1995 version, and the book, are full of so many varied intricacies of human character, sensibilities, and, of course, virtues and vices. Jane Austen was very observant and knowledgeable about relationships between friends, aquaitances, and people in society, which shows if you watch the 1995 one .
@@dovehq1031 I grew up with it too! And I love it so so much! The best and most realistic version of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice". I love the book also.
I like everything in this version which is a perfection and so faithful to the novel , but I always regretted that they didnot include Darcy asking about her fav. books and her refusing to answer , if they did, it would have been a better illustration of Darcy's character early in the story , I feel that because they neglected some parts even if they were trivial , it affected how people (specially those who didnot read the book) think he is so hateful . There is also the part where he was walking with the two Bengley sisters and he wanted her to walk with them XD it would have showed how he was heads over heals for her since the beginning .
The Best Ever Version and adaptation made! 1995 - Beautifully and Perfectly done. Magnificent actors with their very high level of excellence in portraying all their roles individually and collaborating as group performance overall is superb! The soundtrack and costumes were masterly done and magnificent which bring us to the regency era enormously and undeniably the best and great experience and feelings while watching this masterpiece interpretation of the great Ms. Jane Austen literary masterpiece of all time. Loving it so much and watching repeatedly the whole series almost everyday! Well done to all and hope to find similar story in the near future! Magnificent and Superb Adaptation!! Thank You so much!!
The 1995 version of p & p in my opinion was such big success because the casting was just perfect ,being the the two leading actors were a mix of American and British ,the very best that was available at the time . What wonderful acting ,which is just world class . I believe that this film just set the highest standards for others to always look up to . Well done Jennifer and Colin ,we are all very proud of you . (from over the pond )
I wish Elizabeth hadn't talked over so much of this lovely dance! It took me forever to find out the name of the tune (I've loved it upon first hearing it in the 1980 BBC production of 'Pride and Prejudice" starring Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul). "Mr. Belvedere's Maggot" has apparently been around since at least 1695 and per one of the Jane Austen sites I've visited 'A Maggot when referred to in country dancing means An extravagant notion; a whim.'
Brilliant acting from both leading characters ,the very best ,and it is so gratifying to see that the quality is being portrayed from the book to the film . Thankyou for posting a small taste of this epic film on youtube video . (from over the pond )
Another thing to love about this scene is the way that Darcy can't keep his eyes off of Lizzy. Every time they are separated by other dancers we see that he is immediately turning so that he can make eye contact with Lizzy, like he is extremely eager to continue their conversation, even before she is looking at him in return. I don't get the idea that he would have ever experienced that with a woman prior to this. A great acting choice by Colin Firth!
Yes, and in the book, I actually took to counting the number of times he smiled at Lizzy. He also tries hard to get a clear view of her whenever he can.
+Marianne L I noticed it, and was frankly sickened by it. Why does everything have to be sexual nowadays? What I love about Jane Austen is that her romance novels focus finding out what a person's character is, and not about who gets your hormones going.
I have mixed feelings. I understand your opinion, and share it as far as Ms. Auston's novels are concerned; however, I must admit that, after all, sexual attraction is certainly "between the lines" in her writing, so in a dramatization, there must, IMO, be evidence of flirting at least.
I'm surprised some don't know the meaning....of course...context is everything......a synonym for amicable approval....without condescension....an expression of favor for the turn of events.....
I love this mini-series. I also love the '05 adaptation. Firth and Macfadyen both played excellent portrayals of Darcy. Both so astonishingly handsome, too!
The music if I recall correctly is called "Mr. Belvedere's Maggot." What a funny name, I always think of a maggot as a loathesome gakky thing. This music is mesmerizing, I just love it. And it would be so much fun to learn this dance and the others we see them doing.
I'm guessing it was a requirement back then for every young girl and boy to have to practice for hours every day for hours until they nailed all the steps. Sounds like fun, right? lol
In Brazil we have a traditional party in June and July that we dance those dances, called here “quadrilhas”. We learn since childhood in school and we make presentations, some steps are pretty much the same in this show. I was very surprised when I discovered watching Jane Austen shows that those dances were the norm back then and it was not a Portuguese only thing. I guess they would learn just like we do today, playing since childhood.
But..does anybody notice the guy with the giant forehead. I've watched this scene so many times that the romance and tension is eclipsed by the giant forehead.
The definitive version of P&P. I can't help noticing that the bald dancer also appeared in the ball scene in Wives and Daughters. He must be part of some Regency dance troupe.
These two are perfect but it's the secondary characters that fascinate me: I remember the girl who married Mr Collins and said something like 'I never was romantic'.
it's really not fair to compare the 2005 movie with the this version. the BBC made a series. they had much more time to flesh out the characters according to the book. the film had to condense the entire relationship into a 90(?) minute movie. some things (ie. behaviours, appearances) had to be exaggerated to make that possible. they couldn't rely on the audience to go through the motions with the actors. they couldn't be as subtle. i appreciate both for what they are.
I had forgotten what a beautiful series this is. I can't imagine a better cast for this story. As for the music and dance, I wish someone would tell me what dance this is---I'm thinking it could be an early 19th century version of the minuet. As for the music, if I'm not mistaken, it's originally from "The Dancing Master" from the late 17th century, so it would have been considered old fashioned during the regency period. Would love to read further comments.
Ok. After a few months review of Firth in P&P and Sewell as Lord M, I must say Firth, imho is still the strongest male lead in period literature or interpretation of "semi-fiction or fictional character". As much as I respect both actors abilities, I also see firth as the stronger actor by a long shot. Ok. Got it out of my system. And like Darcy says "Forgive me. forgive me".
HELL TO THE NO!!! If you can't respect the Sewell- we have nothing further to say to each other! I don't claim to be any expert on period pieces, but anyone who has anything negative to say about his acting should watch IN A SAVAGE LAND or Vinyan. (He cries for a crazy wife.) Or Woodlanders or Dangerous Beauty. Or even Gone To Seed (a comedy). He is not just the villain opposite Heath Ledger! He was sick of being typecast as villains because of that movie in particular. Few actors have been in as wide a range of genres (including science fiction) enjoying as long a career with skill & adaptability.
I love Colin but Rufus is cool too. I really liked him in Dark City. He is typecast as a villain I agree. He has amazing presence and beautiful eyes. They both have Byronic hero qualities. Both look tormented inside with dark hair.
