I Watched (almost) EVERY Version of Pride and Prejudice - a Tier List 

You should have had a category labeled “Excellent boiled potatoes” 😂

The 1995 version and the 2005 version are both amazing in their own ways. The 1995 version goes into more detail which is why it's six hours. The 2005 is just beautiful to me and has an amazing soundtrack. I can see why some would have their preference when it comes to either film, but I love both in my own opinion.

I can’t help laughing at the “this man and this woman, and this man and this woman” line during the double wedding though. I don’t know why but it amuses me.

About five years ago, I went to a local production of "Lizzy and Darcy" (or maybe it was Darcy and Elizabeth, or even Lizzy/Darcy??) at a local historical house. Its cast was only two women, and they played all the characters!! We, the audience, followed the two actresses around the house into different scenes, and they would switch characters by adding or removing props, like I think Mrs. Bennett wore a cap and Mr. Bennett maybe had a pipe or something. We also became part of the production at certain points, like in the ball scene. It was amazing!! And being in the historical house made it all the more real. Wish they would do something similar locally again! :)

My favorite will always be the Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle version but I enjoyed others too. I have soft spot for Bride and Prejudice. It's a ton of fun and its Mr. Collins (Kohli Saab) is more palatable than the original IMO. I think there are hints that he's a tad more self-aware and isn't mean-spirited. I love all the songs.

My only disagreement would be The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, especially having rewatched last weekend. That’s Fine Eyes for sure. It holds very true to the spirit of the source and gives Lydia such depth.

What I love SOOO much about the 2005 adaptation is just how beautifully shot it is. The way they using lighting is amazing. For example, when the sunlight beams on Lizzie and Darcy when they smile at each other for the first time…AMAZING. I think it has a perfect balance of artistic independence and sustaining of the novel. I could never expect them tok fit everything in the novel into a 2 hour movie, and I think they did a good job of telling the story well in such a short time frame. I do however wish that maybe they spent more time on whickam…because the more the audience is shocked at whickams lies/betrayal, the more you like Darcy.

The 1995 version is MY comfort version!!! (Yes, sometimes I need 6 hours of comfort. It’s been a rough year!) Enjoyed this a lot, thanks for your “sacrifice”!

Bride and Prejudice will always be number one for me xD Sometimes my family will randomly start chanting “No Life. Without a Wife.” It’s been at least a decade since we watched that movie lmao

If I ever find that adult Jane Austen camp is a thing, I'm signing you up.

Double wedding's are cheaper than 2 single ones (plus, you only have to see your relations once) As in the UK, its was the expected that the Brides parents would pay for it. Plus as Darcy are Bingly are best friends marrying sisters, its logical..For me the BBC1995 its almost word for word of the book.

“Why not both?” - SAAAAAME hahahaha… I see a lot of people getting heated about 1995x2005 and I love them both equally as well!

I would say Lizzie Bennet Diaries deserves to be fine eyes. It is IMO the best modern update of the story and just all around good adaptation of the story. I’d say it’s a must for P&P fans since it really does some characters, particularly Lydia, justice. Also it is fun on rewatch. I actually watched it for the first time after it aired and still enjoyed it very much.

I actually loved 1980s version! I think it has one of the best Lizzy characters where it really shows her growth from an outspoken but still a bit naive girl to a well-rounded strong personality. It is also the only movie where she is actually not as pretty as Jane, which is a kind of important for her character. In other versions when Darcy says she is not pretty, it is not believable. The male characters are worse than in other films, but it kind of reflects that the story is mostly told through Elizabeth's eyes. Overall, I think it has really good female characters and is close to the book.

I loved the Mormon version as a kid. To this day I still quote Collins' salty sermon. "I had a kind of... funny... encounter with a girl in this congregation, who will remain anonymous, but for the sake of the story, let's call her... Elizabeth B. No-no, E. Bennett."

I LOVE Austenland, Keira and Matthew’s P&P and the Colin/Jennifer P&P series. I have seen these at least 10 times each and they are comfort movies for me. I think you’ve done a wonderful job and I understand your reasoning for all the rankings.

I am sure you are aware, but I'll just mention it, that the double wedding is implied in the line from the text, "Happy for all her maternal feelings was the day on which Mrs. Bennet got rid of her two most deserving daughters." Of course they might have had two entirely separate weddings on the same day, which is the way some people have done it. But I think it is reasonable to say the double wedding is at least not something dreamed up by a daft screenwriter like those boiled potatoes!

I love "Lost in Austen". I just find it a lot of fun. However, the one thing that does always bug me is that a character who is supposed to be so in love with Austen's works (especially Pride and Prejudice) should have a better idea of how to behave in that time period. All of us would be a "fish out of water" if we went back in time. But if someone had even a basic idea of how society worked back then, they would avoid anything that would be outright rude. Still love it - it's just my biggest criticism of the series.

I'm so here for people liking the 1995 version and 2005 version equally! I will watch either depending on what mood I'm in. If I want raw heightened emotion with romance and Keira Knightleys amazing acting, 2005 is the way. If I want the perfect recreation of the source material that I love, 1995 is the closest I think we will ever come to perfection

I didn't watch the Lizzie Bennet Diaries as it was coming out, but i did fully enjoyed it. I think you didn't enjoyed it as much because you felt the different between them beeing released once a week, but in my perspective i really really loved it. I watched it all in one sleepless night and got obsessed by it, i even watched the pemberly corporations videos and i LOVE the more in depth participation of Giorgianna, who's ignored or not even mentioned in most of P&P adaptations. Fitz is a doll and Mr. Collins is so nicely done. 10/10 would go to my Fine Eyes category

Colin & Matthew are my Darcy’s. I really enjoy Austenland and Lost in Austen.

Im here repping for the zombies version and although im not well versed in the lore i felt the characters were well done and i loved the zombie killer darcy.

If you, like me, cannot handle gore but want some P&P and Zombies romantic tension, Jill Bearup has a fabulous breakdown of the fight between Lizzie and Darcy which I found highly enjoyable.

I applaud your dedication. Great video and wonderful reviews of each of these adaptations.

Great list! So, one trend in many adaptations I have a problem with (eg: the 2005 film) is the absence of the Hursts at Netherfield. It is completely inappropriate for Caroline to act as hostess for 2 bachelors without a female companion or relative present.

When I was a teenager the 2005 version was my favorite, as an adult it's the 1995 version. It's just interesting. Both are still A+++ though, just in different ways.

To be fair to the Greer Garson/Laurence Olivier movie, the credits announce at the start that it's an adaptation of a stage production of the novel, and comes to us kind of second hand, which accounts for some of the discrepancies. I love this more than any other version I have yet watched, in spite of the changes because: It makes me laugh, which very few of the others (including the highly-rated 2005 version) can do. The interactions between the actors really makes me believe these people are part of a family that know each other well - just watch the little instants, looks, touches and smiles between them. The Mr. and Mrs. Bennet scene between Mary Boland and Edmund Gwenn is pure gold. Mr. Collins. I confess that no one does Mr. Collins for me as nicely as does Melville Cooper, complete with his little motif. The wonderfully classically disdainfully perfect Caroline Bingley that is Frieda Inescort. To this day, my sister and I will go "AAAHHH" at each other know where it comes from. The wonderfully, classically meddlesome ego that is the irreplaceable Edna May Oliver as Lady Catherine. Yes, I know they commit a crime with her characterization in the end, but no one, to me, has been able to approach the Lady Catherine scenes as nicely and neatly as Edna May. Again, to this day, my sister and I will intone: "I send no compliments to your *mither". I *em" seriously displizzed" and grin at each other The archery scene, which, yes, I know, is not in the novel, but, especially when punctuated by the exchange between Lizzie and Miss Bingley, is also pure gold (with the cherry on top that is the exchange between Miss Bingley and Mr. Darcy). Mary Bennet, played by very pretty and very talented Marsha Hunt. No one, not Austen herself, has ever been so kind to this character. I love Mary; I love this Mary; I love the innocence and the absentmindedness that glimmers around Hunt's Mary.

I always thought the problematic line about Darcy’s Ex wife was a satire of the narrow mindedness and obnoxiousness of Bridget’s mother and her best friend (similar to how Mrs Bennett made Lizzie so ashamed with her comments.) And they were much worse in the books!

Thanks for making this. It was the right amount of explanation, while still being thorough. And it saves us some time, when considering what to watch next.

The category titles alone sold me on this video!

wow okay you really made these 39 minutes interesting to watch! massive compliment for holding my attention for so long and also for your good taste

Agree with most of these ranking as well. However, Bridget Jones Diary and Bride and Prejudice would be higher in my ranking. I love those movies a lot. But 1995 Colin Firth will ALWAYS be the best P&P. I said what I said!

My only real surprise in the ranking is that the 1980 miniseries isn't one or preferably two tiers higher. I understand that the old BBC TV conventions look a bit creaky now (film-outdoors, video-indoors, audible interior monologues), but it does find a way to include all the famous lines, even those in the authorial voice -- and it introduces Charlotte Lucas immediately and doesn't have a double wedding, avoiding both your pet peeves. And I would have thought that 2005 deserves at least a mild knock for getting the Bennets' social status and similar nuances wrong (yes, they derive part of their income from a farm on the property, but they don't live IN the farmhouse among pigs and muck).

You are the first person I have heard say they are both great versions. Thank you!!! My only disagreement is Bride and Prejudice. I put that up with the top teir. I can't tell you how many times I have watched it.

Austenland is one of me and my sisters favourite movies. Such a fun and silly version of something we have loved dearly for a long time. I found it super refreshing, it managed to have the serious romance element while being a completely absurd movie

Agree pretty much.... Except Lizzie Bennet Diaries is my favorite retelling of P&P. The beautiful sister relationship, the vindication of Lidia, the AWKWARD DARCY. Yes. Yes. Please thank you. And as someone who's watching RU-vid all day, I appreciate the vlogging.

1980s pride and prejudice was my favorite version. Have watched it multiple times. So sad that it ranked so low. I quite like how many of the characters are portrayed and enjoy some of Lizzie’s outfits.

I felt so old when you kept saying Bridget Jones was a 90s romcom lmao! Bridget Jones is a 2000s romcom!!!

I LOVE your tiers!!!!

I totally agree on the 1995 and 2005 versions! I love them both for different reasons. What I like about the 2005 is the great cinematography, there are a couple of moments in the movie that are sooo good such as at the ball where you see Mr. Darcy silently following Elizabeth for a bit. Nothing happens, just that short shot of Mr. Darcy's attention secretly on Elizabeth. Also the scene where Elizabeth and Caroline Bingley take a turn about the room, the way they cross each other and sit down again with Mr. Darcy in the middle of the screen - very powerful composition! And yeah the music. I also love the ending, it's very sweet. Plus I have a crush on Keira Knightley, lol! But the 1995 version is the one I first watched and I watched many times with my sister so it has a special place in my heart. Also love how revolting Mr. Collins is in that one, lol!

The dedicated put into this video!! I'm blown away 💕

Love the version on your opening screen: David Rintoul and Elizabeth Garvie, dramatised by Faye Weldon. It's my fav version!

Being a connoisseur myself, I agree with the top placing of the two iconic adaptations, with a slight preference over the more accurate 1995 one. One key difference is that "Death comes to Pemberley" would be thus polluting its own shades for me.

Great video. I had no idea about so many of these versions

Really surprised you put the 1980 version so low, mainly because it's so true to the book. The Lizzy was excellent, which is so important, but I do think the Darcy was too stiff and almost robotic, and that does take away from the main relationship in the story. However, like your mother, it was my first, I was THRILLED to have it, and I re-watch it annually. I would also put Bride and Prejudice higher because it is so enjoyable AND because they really get the story--having Mary do the snake dance perfectly encapsulates what Austen wrote about her, and the way they handled modernizing Mr. Collins was brilliant! I do agree with your top 2 choices for many of the same reasons you mentioned, although clearly 1995 is the most iconic, complete, and satisfying. As much as I loved the look, music, and casting of the 2005 version, the departures from reality for the sake of drama (Lady Catherine visiting in the middle of the night....WHAT?! And Lizzy and Darcy getting up at dawn to wander through the fields so that we could see that sunrise kiss) were annoying, and worse than that, people QUOTE LINES from that FILM that JANE AUSTEN DID NOT WRITE. I have even seen them printed on merch, and I think it's a great disservice to my favorite author's favorite book.

I appreciate you took time out of your life just for our benefit. What dedication.

Can I say I LOVE your categories ;)

For me, the 1980 Pride and Prejudice is the best version of the book. I LOVE this version. I've watched it a zillion times. I should add, it's the first version I ever saw (back in the 80's).

I have seen many of these movies and I agree with your assessment except I would rate The Lizzie Bennet Diaries higher. I have watched the whole series several times and always enjoy it. It is the only version that brought tears to my eyes. I really like the fact that this version explores Lydia's character with so much depth and I love the character growth of most of the characters.

The 1980s BBC version was my ‘first viewed’ film adaptation, so it is close to my heart ( and I would rate it higher). The Lizzie Bennet Diaries are a real treasure - even my husband enjoys them enough to want to watch them more than once! One other film not mentioned here is a strange one called ‘A Modern Pride and Prejudice’ . According to IMDB it was released in 2012, but distribution must have been very limited. The setting is modern (filmed in Colorado) but the language is spoken in the style of the book- creating a kind of mismatch between what you see and what you hear. I would have rated it ‘tolerable enough’ Thank you for your video!

While I adore Colin Firth to me the best version was 1980s series

I also really love the 1995 and 2005 equally. I don’t know why it should be one or the other. But then I really love Colin Firth and Matthew MacFadyen equally also. As for other versions, I really like Bride and Prejudice, and Bollywood movies in general. Lost in Austen and Austenland were fun. I’m generally not a fan of sequels written by other authors many years later, but Death comes to Pemberley is an exception and very enjoyable. I’m going to have to go to the book on that one, because it’s P.D. James....

I originally saw the 1995 version and it cemented my adoration of Colin Firth. I also bought this version for my mom one year for Christmas. Then the 2005 version came out. Matthew Macfadyen as Darcy. Be still me heart. That walk across the misty field is goals. Lol. This is the version I own. I mean, I enjoy the 1995 version as well, but the 2005 is my personal favorite.

So fun! I'd definitely watch more like this, maybe comparisons of other Austen adaptations?! There are probably a bunch of "inspired by" adaptations I'm not aware of... like I just recently realized Clueless was inspired by Emma (I think?), so there are probably plenty more. :)

The thing about the double wedding is that most audience members are aching to see a wedding by the end, so why not a double wedding? Two for the price of one. After all that uncertainty, here's the payoff. I loved it, especially when Elizabeth and Darcy kiss, right at the end. The sweetest conclusion.

omg well now I know I have some p&p adaptations catching up to do, thanks :D

That was a lot of work in the public interest, saving me personally loads of time. I am not much for costumes but I would watch other reviews by you if you would make another. Ideas follow: I very much enjoyed The King's Speech which re-united the amazing Firth and charming Jennifer Ehle, whose acting decisions I adore generally and find fascinating, although I like Knightly and applaud her fine and dedicated performance as well. I do wonder what sort of Cate Stark Ehle would have made had she continued her role in the Game of Thrones pilot. I suspect she would have brought a lot of charisma into the iron will, a bit like Cate Blanchett's Galadriel. Both Ehle and Knightly are in au courant roles I would like to see if I could afford a lot of subscriptions, but I hope to see someday. I used to wear out the 95 version on cassette, but I own to being a purist as I must have as much of the original dialogue to enjoy the experience and the BBC has that. The 2005 version is more beautiful, but for me the point is the original text, so I resign myself to the 90s production values and I will further skip everything below Fine Eyes on your recommendation, or condemnation, rather, and keep my dogeared paperback at the ready as it sounds like the others are too modern for me.

As an "origin" story for the writing of "Pride and Prejudice", where would you have ranked "Becoming Jane"?

You missed The Jane Austen Book Club, which is one of those ‘adjacent’ style movies. They read all the books and they have their own relationship issues throughout, and the characters take on some aspects of the Austen characters. Of course it’s not only related to P&P since it covers all 6 books, but it’s not one to miss. It’s very good!

Thanks for this! When I saw how many "P&P" productions there'd been through the years, I felt sad, as most of them seemed very hard (or impossible) to find. But it turns out the 1995 and 2005 versions, which are easy to view, are the best! P.S.: "Adaption" means the process of adapting to something (dim light, cold water, etc.)... You mean "adaptation". ;?)

Aww i adored the 1980 version. I thought David Rintoul was a great Darcy (dare I say it better than Colin Firth just a tad), each to their own I suppose. Oh and yeah Bride and Prejudice is my guilty pleasure.

This was so great to watch! I'm sad Before the Fall was so bad, but I'm excited to watch Bride and Prejudice. I would have ranked The Lizzie Bennet Diaries a bit higher based on actor chemistry alone, but I agree about the formst being harder to binge now than it was when it came out. Thanks for this, I now have lots of movies to watch!

Firstly, you did a great job with this compilation of films, some of which I had no idea even existed. Secondly, your critique of each film is commendable; the mere fact that you had the time and the energy to sit through all these adaptations, and on top of that take notes. I can admire because I am an avid note taker myself, especially with books from my favorite authors. Thirdly, the 1995 P&P (IMO) is by far my favorite: Colin Firth (IMO) epitomizes the character of Darcy. If Colin Firth somehow stepped through a time portal to that era, I suspect that he would, in fact, be Mr. Darcy, standing smack dab in the court of Pemberly! Jennifer Ehle was equally matched in character and chemistry, and dare I say, even "pride" at times; (IMO) there is no other Lizzie or Darcy. However, since you went to great lengths to (as Lizzie would say) share your "good opinion" , I will check out a few of the unknowns. Lastly, you have a flare for critiquing period films or films in general; keep it up! BTW, allow me to wish you the best of luck with your costume conservateur studies.Thank you for sharing your insight.👍🏼😊

All episodes of the 1967 BBC adaptation are currently available on You Tube although they are possibly at risk of being deleted by the BBC at any point but every episode of that version survives. 🙂

You crack me up. Liked and subbed.

Porque no los dos, indeed! If I want candy in a movie form, I go with Knightley. If I want in-depth, I go with Firth!

The 1940 version with Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier is a sentimental favorite of mine. I saw it when I was 10 or 11, and it just stayed with me so much that I was preconditioned to love the novel when I first read it in 1991. (Also, it was cowritten by Aldous Huxley, fer chrissakes!) And thus, absolutely loved the BBC adaptation in 1995.

Would switch the 2005 version with the 1980 version.

May already know: but Joe Wright (who did the 2005 film) had never seen the BBC version. He had, however, seen the 1940 film. He is also dyslexic & didn't read much as a kid, so had never read Austen's novel. I think in many ways, this accounts for the best strengths of the 2005. It's very much a fresh take. Lastly: I think one of its underrated strengths compared to the BBC version is, Lizzie & Darcy actually look their ages (20 & 28)!

I was curious how you'd feel about the 1980s version of P&P and I think it's a generational thing. On one level it probably captures Regency society better because it had to have been a serious place with a thick layer of manners and societal expectations on top. The world was much different when I grew up during the 1960s, and there was little latitude to behave differently; it was all wit and fun as JA writes and Lizzy does so well. It's hard to appreciate that world if you didn't grow up then. I also love David Rintoul's Darcy: he kills haughty and proud the best of all Darcy's.

I really enjoyed this video. Thank you for doing it. I didn't know about quite a few of the versions you showed. Going to have to look into them. The ones I did know about and have watch I mostly agree with you on the ratings, especially the Hallmark ones. You would think that Hallmark could make a better version of a P&P based movie.

Fun video! I'm wondering why you are so opposed to the double wedding when that's howJane Austen wrote the story?

I agree with you about 2005 version. I find the combination of the music and the cinematography along with the awesome acting… is like an ASMR experience. Our extended family gets together a few times a year and this movie invariably comes on… reaffirming the awesome qualities of belonging.

Mrs. Bennett is what I like about 1980. She feels more like a real person that I know in real life and not like a cartoon character in 1995 and even more cartoony in 2005. I know 1980 has other problems but Mrs. Bennett isn’t one of them.

For me, I love both the 1995 and 2005 versions equally; I watch P&P 2005 when I'm looking for a wonderful romanticised love story and 1995 when I want to revisit the plot of the book in a lot of detail and hear direct quotations (plus Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth as Lizzie and Darcy)

The 1995 version is closest to the source material. The 2005 uses MODERN dialogue, trying to improve on Austen. Which is why it’s out my fave. Period.

Aw I really like bride and prejudice 😂 wish it was a bit higher lol.

For me, the one with Colin firth is the best. Ms. Euel as Elizabeth (? sorry, I don't exactly remember the spelling of the actress's name), is the best foil for Darcy (Mr. Firth). The pride and the prejudice changes hands between them throughout this miniseries.

The Lizzie Bennet Diaries should be 10,000 a year, it is the best modern adaptation and it has such respect and love for the source material! The acting is top tier, the format is innovative, I own the boxset, that is how much I love this series. I think it is absolutely a must-watch for pride and prejudice fans!

I equally like the 1980, 1995 and 2005 versions, for varying reasons for each. I like different actors from each if these movies as the ideal portrayal of what I think the character should look and sound like. I'm okay with a bit of variation amongst each and from the book.

Can you do a tier list of Jane Eyre movies??? There are so many out there and I love it almost as much as Pride & Prejudice. I would love to see your take on the different versions!

I love the 1995 and 2005 versions EQUALLY for different reasons too! 🙌 Agreed with everything you said about those two.

1995 version all the way. I really enjoyed the Having a Ball special.

The 1980 version is my favourite. The actor who played Mr Collins fitted the role perfectly. I laughed out loud when he checked the glassware out.

I am so so so glad you liked P&P a Latter-Day Comedy!! I'm LDS and it was really my first exposure to P&P. It's cheesy, parts of the dialouge are awkward, but it really is so funny and fun and I totally agree you can tell they had a real reverence for the source material. Also, Darcy and Wickham are both hotties and Bingley is the cutest dork.

First of all, kudos to you for putting all the effort in, that's a lot of shows to watch. But you asked me to include my opinion so here I go. First of all I'm British, and I love Lost in Austen, I've watched it many times, I've even got it on DVD and I find it hilarious, so I would have at least put it in Fine Eyes. My other differing in opinion is Pride and Prejudice the Musical. I watched that on Amazon when it came out last year, and I have watched it several times since because I love musicals. I understand your problems with the costumes, but I feel like it could have been moved up one their possibly. These are just personal preferences, thank you again for such a detailed and lovely video.

The 1995 version was my first P&P adaption. Nothing else compares. Not even Keira Knightley.

In case anyone here needs a good book suggestion- I highly recommend “The Independence of Miss Mary Bennett” by Colleen McCollough. It needs to be a movie!

LOVE THIS! Altho i Will Never be able to understand why you put bridget Jones so love because to me it absolutely (!!) betongs in 10 000 a year, simply because of how iconic it is on the whole but also because of the characterization and how they treat especially darcy and Elizabeth as these modern sort of over the top versions and i feel like it truly captured the essence of austens vibe and comedy

2005 P&P is my comfort movie- if I'm ever having a really bad day or am super anxious or sad, it will always make me feel better. It also introduced me to Austen, so I will always appreciate it for that.

This was very entertaining! Personally, for me, complete accuracy to the book, (Aside from changes to make it work better in a movie format.) is always essential. So the 1995 BBC version will always be #1 for me. (Plus, Colin Firth's heart eyes...) From the actors chosen who would be true beauties in their time, the acting being true to the mannerisms of the time, and the dedication to exactly bringing the book to life... I also adore this one's soundtrack too. I told my brother (He has listened to Pride and Prejudice with my mom and I on a road trip and he actually enjoyed it, though we had to stop once in a while to explain stuff.) he thought they were awesome, and I agree. You liking the relationsips in Death to Pemberly surprised me because I remember I stopped reading the book because there was NO interaction between Lizzy and Darcy or Bingly and Jane or ANYONE. It was solely the mystery, which was kind of a let down because, you know, it's Pride and Prejudice! So the movie definitely made a smart decision.

I completely agree with your top spots! I love both versions equally, too ❤

Love the video! The only things I would disagree with you on are the Lizzie Bennet Diaries and the 1980 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. I would have ranked the Lizzie Bennet Diaries as 'Fine Eyes'. I do agree with you that the version worked much better as a weekly series. It's much harder to binge but I appreciate the care they took when adapting it. They didn't just keep Elizabeth Bennet's name and changed Mr. Darcy to William Darcy. I most appreciated their fleshing out of Lydia's story because it felt much more satisfying to a modern audience. Perhaps it's the first-gen college student in me but the fact that Bing Lee drops out of med school was always something I didn't like. lol. I have a bit of a soft spot for the 1980 adaptation because I think out of the straightforward adaptations, it did a good job balancing both how exhausting Mrs. Bennet is (to live with) in regards to marriage but at the same time, how practical she was. 1995 glossed over her practical points too much and the 2005 version made her far too much of a caricature. In reality, both adaptations feature a Mr. Bennet who is very checked out of his parental duties and has essentially not given much thought to his daughters' futures, a very irresponsible thing to do when he isn't young and has 5 daughters. The 1980 version is less hospitable to Mr. Bennet and gives enough dialogue and time to have Mrs. Bennet's point be made clear. It's a hard dynamic to get right but it's important to modern audiences because it was a very real issue. Brilliant as Jane Austen was, she was unable to support herself on just writing and in later years, had to rely on her brother for financial support. I also enjoyed how nuanced and subtle Elizabeth's actions were in the series, there was a sense of growth (and not in just oh Mr. Darcy is a nice guy) by the end and it came off as more realistic to the time period and in regards to her social standing. That said, a more feisty Elizabeth is also great in my eyes. I will agree with you that costumes are awful, as is the lighting and I found the chemistry between the two leads lacking. In the 1980 version, it feels like Mr. Dracy was always super uncomfortable with Elizabeth to the point of the final proposal feeling forced. I think the actor, David Rintoul, took the "Mr. Darcy is a solemn and serious man" too seriously. Especially in the 1995 & 2005 adaptations, you see him start to fall for her or even visually show that he is warming up to her prior to the proposal. He's more careful with his tone when talking to her and the actors nail the ever slight bit of "desperate and anxious energy" that makes him endearing. By the end of the film and the 1995 series, you see that they're a couple who are comfortable with one another and are willing to grow, a sharp contrast to her parents' marriage where it becomes clear that it's only the mother that is trying.

I have only watched the Lizzy Bennet Diaries after the fact and I LOVED it! Super fun and silly, and the Darcy reveal still lives in my mind. I screamed

Wow! I would love to watch more versions. I only know of 4.

Do you mind sharing what platforms you streamed some of the older movies from? I'd love to be able to check them out. Thank you!

I love the scene where Collins is picking a Bennett and the sisters are speaking volumes with their exchanged glances

Nicely done! I also liked the 1967 and 1980 versions. Both may not be masterpieces but they both have some very fine moments! I also liked Unleashing Mr. Darcy but I never thought of it as even remotely like the other versions. I am looking forward to watching your solid recommendations. Thanks a lot for that. I find that watching and rewatching these movies always makes me feel very good. You can find true love and although things are very tough, they will work out in the end. Happy, wonderful endings is probably Jane Austin’s great contribution. I also love the Jane Eyre movies. Why don’t you do a similar video on them?

I am one of those people who does not like the Kiera Knightley Pride & Prejudice... IMO she was not the right casting for Elizabeth. It was more of a 'let's get a big name' rather than 'who is the best to play this part'. I would personally put it in 'Tolerable I suppose'. The BBC version is my happy place and is the only one I would put in the top tier.

3:18 Hooray, adaptations!