Pride and Prejudice
This is probably the most popular of Jane Austen's novels and I'm unoriginal enough to favour it to the others. So it happened that I saw four different versions (two series and two movies) and read the book. I don't know how I'll ever manage to fit it all in one post, but I'll try
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For some reason she (Mrs. Bennett inteh 2005 version) is shown more than once sitting somewhere her legs dangling over the edge I noticed this too! The commentary for the movie sort of explains this. It is essentially the same reason they seem so much like a family in the 2005 movie. The director and cast worked very hard to make it seem like they lived there and lived in those clothes, rather than the sometimes stiff feeling some period pieces had.
The 1940's Lizzie was very off. 1995 version captured all parts of her personality the best, I agree. 1995 also had the best Darcy.I imagine that Darcy must be a rather hard character to play. You have to be reserved yet have enough of things show on the outside to illustrate an inward change....
I agree with you too that the 2005 Mary, and Kitty and Lydia were the ones who most felt there age (though the 1995 Lydia was very good too). I like the 2005 Mary because she was still in character without being characterized. It felt very much like a middle sister trying to get attention. The two eldest have each other and everyone always talked about how pretty they were and they were their parents' favorites. Likewise Kitty and Lydia had each other and are loud to get attention. 2005 Mary's piano playing seemed like a cry for attention, and her crying about it made her very much 17. I kinda of liked how that version gave her one of those teenage-esque painful crushes on Mr. Collins too.
I rather liked the 2005 Miss Darcy, though her part was so small. She did not seem so much shy as very young. Lydia and Georgia are both the same age (and this is also the movie that has them looking that age the best), yet Georgia has a feeling of still being a bit of a child. Not so much immature as she gave off a feeling of one of those very sensitive children you sometimes meet. They often seem to have a hard time in groups, though 2005 Miss Darcy is never in a crowd, so we don't know. 2005 Lyida, also feels like a very young 15, but in a different way. She is immature, and it makes Wickham's scheme much sadder and with less of a Lydia's-fault-vibe than some of the other versions.
Just curious, but why did you not like the 2005 version of Lady Cathrine? I think the funniest was the 1995 one, but she, like several of the characters in that one, bordered on characterized. I felt the toned down and very regal bearing of the 2005 one was a different take on Lady C. but still a pretty valid one. And, as you said, I liked how both the 1995 and the 2005 Lady Cs looked. I found it interesting that the 1995 version seemed very fashion forward, her looks almost leaned towards the 1820s and 1830s. The 2005 by contast was dressed more of the generation before, more 1780s ad 1770s when the wider skirts and the towering hair was in. Both are rather valid costuming choices I thought, and said something different about the character. (Fashion foward means follows the ton and trends and has money to spend on such things, whereas the 2005 older-generation clothing suggested a sense of clinging to glory days).
The Merytn assembly is much grander in the movies than the series, 2005 is also very crowded with hardly any room for dancing. This goes back to the 2005's stress on making the period seem lived in as opposed to just stuffy costumes. A town assembly also would have been much rowdier and crowded because not just landed gentry could come but "middle class" like people in trade and doctors could come. Though, I agree even counting that, it seems like a lot of people.
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1940 Elizabeth was off and I was really disappointed in Jane as well. Actually most characters were off. I would like to know which characterization - 1995 or 1980 Jane Austen herself would prefer. I know 1995 is how I want to see them. 1980 versions are less lovable and have more 'pride and prejudice'. Darcy must be really, really hard to play.
That part about Mary was interesting, yes. This is the first time we have seen anybody actually thinking about her feelings. Wasn't Kitty 17 though? That makes Mary what? 19? Georgiana did feel very young, on the other hand it makes it a bit hard to believe what happened at Ramsgate. Book!Georgiana only spoke when there was little chance of anyone hearing her. She was very shy when inviting Elizabeth over. The 1995 Georgiana is troubled at hearing Wickham's name. I guess I miss any signs of the influence Ramsgate must have had on her. Lydia's youth makes his schemes somehow worse, yet I felt more sorry for Lydia in 1995 version. She was all fawning over him and it was evident that he is already bored of her.
I didn't dislike her at all. I just said that she looked like a grand lady before she spoke. When she did, she was her own opinionated, overbearing self and I wouldn't have her any other way. You seem very knowledgeable in what was in and when. I did get the 1700s feel of the older generation dresses in 2005, but that was about it.
I was surprised that a country town could have so many people and the Netherfield ball was not much better. At least leave some room for the dancing!
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Sorry I misunderstood about Lady Catherine!
There were too many people, I think at these balls. They ate with 24 families (and, persumably these families would likely have a number of kids though whether all of them being of an age to go into society is small). It was strange. I thought all the people wearing just white at the 2005 Netherfield ball was strange too. I guess they could just say something in a invitation, but clothes were expensive then! Seems weird.
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