Running commentary: part one (episodes 1-3)

This miniseries is six episodes long, with a total of 327 minutes — or nearly five and a half hours. I binged this entire thing in two nights while constantly pausing to take notes, so buckle up.

We open with an added scene introducing Colin Firth’s Mr. Darcy and Crispin Bonham-Carter’s Mr. Bingley to use first, as they ride by Netherfield and Bingley decides to take the place. We first see Jennifer Ehle’s Elizabeth when she watches the strangers riding past while out for a walk. This opening, of course, is not how the book opens, but it does a good job of quickly introducing the two most important characters in their spheres — the wealthy Darcy surveying property and advising his friend, the smiling Elizabeth out for a country walk.

Other than Mr. Darcy, I think Alison Steadman’s Mrs. Bennet is probably the most iconic role from this adaptation. I do think the “Mrs. Bennet treatment,” as I call it, took some liberties from the book — she was a silly, loud woman with no decorum, but her motivations made sense and her ridiculousness didn’t go quite this far. At least, not when I read the book. This could be one of those cases where two readers come away from the same source with different ideas of a character, while neither is necessarily more accurate. Perhaps Steadman’s performance would not seem so overwhelming to me if her exclamations were made in a less high-pitched voice. Whatever the case, I’m not a fan of this version of the character.

I can’t help but feel that, considering the reach and popularity of this adaptation, Julia Sawalha’s Lydia Bennet and Susannah Harker’s Jane Bennet must have influenced the performances of those characters in the 2005 movie. Both of these actresses fit the roles wonderfully. This version of Lydia feels especially iconic to me. Whether I’m reading the book or even watching other adaptations, I can’t help but hear the lines in Sawalha’s voice.

The best part of a miniseries is how little is cut for time, as compared to a movie. A series has much more room to cover the details of the source material. The banter between Benjamin Whitrow’s Mr. Bennet and his wife is as entertaining as in the book, and having Elizabeth quote the first line of the novel (while a bit pandery) is a fun addition.

Seeing Mr. Bennet balancing his books is an interesting addition to underscore the pressing financial concerns that drive Mrs. Bennet’s obsession with marriage for her daughters.

Lucy Scott plays the even-tempered, rational best friend Charlotte Lucas well.

I know Bingley’s sisters turn out to be false friends and quite rude, but reading the book I got the impression they did start out as truly interested in a friendship with Jane, only to change their minds after realizing their brother’s attachment and her family’s… undesirable elements. In this miniseries, they are petty false friends from the beginning, which makes me wonder why they invited Jane to dine with them at all.

The addition of Lizzie playing with (what I assume is) Darcy’s dog supports the development of both her character and Darcy’s feelings for her.

David Bamber’s Mr. Collins is exactly as simpering, ridiculous, oblivious, and self-absorbed as he should be.

Adrian Lukis’s Mr. Wickham manages to be both handsomely charming and inexplicably skeevy from first meeting. His penchant for lying and his natural chemistry with Elizabeth are both rather clear, at least to objective viewers, from the start.

Is it just me, or does Lydia’s appeal to Mr. Wickham seem a little strengthened when he learns she is younger than he assumed? I’m getting predator vibes from this iteration of the scoundrel.

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth’s dance at the Netherfield ball is portrayed so differently between adaptations. In this one, Elizabeth’s distaste for Darcy and confusion at his asking her are both palpable. Colin Firth oozes with the mysteries of a silent, stoic gentleman.

The mortification and, to be frank, cringe of Elizabeth and Jane’s family following the dancing is total and unavoidable. Hard to watch (I don’t do secondhand embarrassment), but well done. This is exactly the intended effect of this scene in the book.

Joanna David does Mrs. Gardiner, one of my favorite characters, good credit. She is the reasonable, well-mannered, amiable aunt that brings some sense into both Jane’s and Lizzie’s lives when they most need it.

Part two: episodes 4-6

Listening to Mr. Darcy narrate his letter to Elizabeth, I do believe that part of the appeal of the Colin Firth character is his rich, gentlemanly voice with that oh-so-wonderful proper British accent.

Another added Darcy scene: practicing fencing and a conversation with his instructor (or just an older opponent?). As I’ll mention below, this miniseries weaves in many new scenes showing the story from Darcy’s point of view. We never quite get into his head the way we do with our main character Elizabeth Bennet, but we do get glimpses of what is happening in his world that weren’t in the book or available to Elizabeth.

I really love the Pemberley housekeeper in this version, played by Bridget Turner. So sweet and vocal and smiling, just like the character from the book. And unlike a certain 2005 movie, this version of the Pemberley visit has Elizabeth keeping a close ear on her aunt and uncle’s conversation with the housekeeper.

Ah, the infamous Colin Firth swimming scene. Completely new, not in the book, not something a gentleman would have done under remotely similar circumstances in that time period, but hey. Regency wet t-shirt Mr. Darcy, amiright? Honestly, even as bi woman, I don’t get why this specific scene is so popular. Man still wearing shirt dives into scummy green lake… is it the wet, tousled hair after the fact that’s so hot? That’s the only thing I can think of. Also, Darcy engaging in a full conversation while wearing what basically amounts to very indecent underwear from the waist up feels… uncharacteristic.

Now that green suit he wears after dressing… that is a beautiful look on a beautiful man. His improved manners, engaging smiles, softened countenance upon meeting Elizabeth’s relatives and speaking with her at Pemberley are oh-so-subtly-romantic and an accurate adaptation. I love that Joanna David does so well acting out the suspicions Mrs. Gardiner develops as she watches Darcy’s attentions to her niece.

The costumes Emilia Fox’s Georgiana and Elizabeth are wearing when they meet look almost identical… a symbolic choice. I like it. Like the 2005 movie, this adaptation does give Georgiana more conversation and personality than the deathly shy girl had in the book, but unlike that movie this Miss Darcy is still quiet and demure.

This adaptation handles the news of Lydia’s elopement perfectly. The circumstances in which Elizabeth receiving the letters, her and Darcy’s conversation, his reaction to the news — it’s all exactly book accurate.

As I pointed out above, we see a lot more of the story from Darcy’s side in this adaptation. His feelings and outburst at home after first hearing Elizabeth’s news; his ride in the carriage to London; his trek through city streets in search of the runaways. And, of course, the London wedding. Near the end, I really liked seeing his conversation with Bingley, giving his blessing on a proposal to Jane. It was a sweet moment both sealing Darcy’s attempts to redeem his past mistakes, and restoring whatever damage was done to his and Bingley’s friendship through his meddling.

I love how this adaptation uses letters and notes from the book throughout the miniseries, maintaining the importance and frequent use of written communication in a time before phones or computers. They carry over much of Austen’s specific wording as well, which contributes to characterization and story development.

This adaptation changes what was a letter from Mr. Collins in the book to a personal visit, which I think makes sense in the transition from page to screen. The clergyman comes under the guise of “comforting” his cousins, but really to lord over them and accuse the entire family of misconduct. It is easier to feel the full insult and overreach of Mr. Collins through his interacting with the girls in their home than it would be with a voice-over, and this is one letter with nothing useful or worth seeing to show during a voice-over anyway.

One thing I want to note is that, for all the complaints people make of Mr. Bingley being too silly or a simpleton in the 2005 movie, he is not portrayed as much smarter or more composed in this version. Every version I’ve seen of Bingley does not portray a particularly eloquent or obviously intelligent man. Crispin Bonham-Carter’s version of the character does maintain a friendly, open nature, falls madly in love with Jane from the start, and is easily swayed by the opinions of people he respects, and that’s all that really matters.

I love seeing the weddings in movies like these. For all the importance of marriage in Austen’s time and works, weddings were not nearly the major events they are now. I love when adaptations add a little more attention to the big day. Oh! And kudos to this particular adaptation for maintaining Regency norms where other adaptations have not: Lizzie and her groom don’t kiss until after the wedding. (I still have to dock accuracy points for that swimming scene, though. I guess this breaks even?)

Conclusion

After 327 minutes of runtime, you’d think there would be more to say. But an adaptation that pays such close attention to accuracy and pulls entire passages of dialogue from the source material just leaves me with fewer notes. How can I break down adaptational changes when so little was changed — and everything that was, I would argue was for the better? The only major changes were additions that supported the story and character development.

This six-episode, 5.5-hour miniseries is not for casual viewers. I would not recommend cramming the entire thing into two back-to-back weeknights, especially when you have an appointment before 9 a.m. the next day (whoops). If you’ve enjoyed other multi-episode period drama miniseries, this one is a classic and you’ll probably like it. People still sigh over it 25 years later. If you’re more of a movie person, you might feel like this Pride and Prejudice drags along too slowly.

On the other hand, if you are a major Austenite or period drama obsessee… well, you probably already own this DVD set. Why do you care what I think?