Pride and Prejudice - in its many forms

First there is the book written by Jane Austin in 1813. I can't believe I am going to write this, but... Wikipedia writes, "The story follows the main character Elizabeth Bennet as she deals with issues of manners, upbringing, morality, education, and marriage in the society of the landed gentry of early 19th-century England. Elizabeth is the second of five daughters of a country gentleman living near the fictional town of Meryton in Hertfordshire, near London." Elizabeth is a walker, a pianist, a reader, and is a very independent thinker. She resembles much of Austin herself. Austin has included characters that are very much like her real life sister, father, and suitor. All in all, I say: why haven't you READ IT yet!!!

One of the first popular theatrical adaptations of Austin's book was the movie below with Texan actress Garson (Mrs. Miniver) playing Elizabeth, British actor Oliver (Wuthering Heights) playing Mr. Darcy, and Arizona actress O'Sullivan (Tarzan series) playing Jane. It was truly an all star cast for 1940. All in all, I say: SKIP IT unless you like the over acting found in many of the films from the 40s.

The next big adaptation caused quite a stir because of the actor that played Mr. Darcy - Firth (The King's Speech). He is so dreamy in this - his hair is perfect - this role would make him the obvious choice for another more modern adaptation later. North Carolina native, Ehle (Zero Dark Thirty) played Elizabeth. Bonham-Carter (brother of Helena - Howard's End) played Mr. Bingley. Sawalha (Absolutely Fabulous) was Lydia. It was done by BBC in 6 episodes and is very true to the novel. All in all, I say: not only SEE IT, but just go ahead and by it for when you want to see Firth.

The next adaptation was done by the Morman church - they financed it. Heskin (The Prince and Me 2) was Elizabeth and Seale (Bobby) was Mr. Darcy. This was more of a comedy and was only slightly true to the novel. All in all, I say: SKIP IT.

Next, came the Bridget Jones's Diary with Firth (A Single Man) as Mr. Darcy again, Zellweger (Chicago) as Elizabeth, and  Grant (About a Boy) as Wickham - named Cleaver in the movie. Very comical, a little weird at the end. All in all, I say: RENT IT

Lastly, the Joe Wright (Hanna) adaptation which took a lot of licence with the book. Knightley (Wright's Atonement) was Elizabeth, Sutherland (MASH) is her father, Malone (Sucker Punch) as Lydia, Riley (Inception) as Mary, Pike (Jack Reacher) as Jane, Mulligan (Drive) as Kitty, and Macfayden (was also in Anna Karenina with Knightley) as Mr. Darcy. All in all, I say: SEE IT after reading the book and seeing the BBC version.