I’ve been watching the 1980 version of Pride and Prejudice.
DVD Cover Pride and Prejudice (1980)
The screen play was written by Fay Weldon and it stars Elizabeth Garvie as Elizabeth and David Rintoul as Mr Darcy.
I thought it would be a bit dated like this version of Emma…
DVD Cover Emma (1972)
however, it’s fine. The costumes and setting aren’t as beautiful as modern adaptations, but it is very watchable.
Elizabeth and Mr Darcy dancing at the Netherfield Ball
Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth!
I like Fay Weldon’s screen play. The script is true to the spirit of the novel. She has the characters say things that the narrator expresses in the book. For example, the famous opening lines …
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
Are expressed by Elizabeth while in conversation with Charlotte.
I thought the casting was good although I was a little but disappointed in David Rintoul’s Mr Darcy. He certainly looks the part – tall and handsome – and he does the proud disdainful stuff very well, but he doesn’t seem to change he still seems proud and disdainful at the end.
I think this adaptation is definitely worth watching (of course the 1995 adaptation is still my favourite). However, it is quite difficult to find. I eventually found a copy at amazon.co.uk.
More reviews …
http://elegance-of-fashion.blogspot.com.au/2011/08/review-pride-and-prejudice-1980.html
http://christysbooks.blogspot.com.au/2010/08/pride-and-prejudice-1980.html