Masterpiece Theatre: Pride & Prejudice (1995)

Masterpiece Theatre has rewarded patient viewers with a three-part series of Jane Austen's masterpiece, Pride & Prejudice. This is a story I could tell by heart and while I am partial to certain adaptations of the book, I rarely ever speak ill of any of them. This adaptation stars the handsome Colin Firth as the moody Mr. Darcy and Jennifer Elhe as sharp-witted Elizabeth Bennett.

One of the most faithful versions of the book-- it's as if each character in Jane Austen's beloved novel has jumped off the page. Cousin and vicar Mr. Collins is as slimy as ever and his benefactress, Lady Catherine de Bourgh is as pompous as anyone could have imagined. Each character is larger than life and wonderfully so. Mrs. Bennett and her hysterics are annoyingly perfect. Lizzie and her sister Jane are perfect as friends and sisters.

Colin Firth is piercing as Mr. Darcy. His portrayal of the wealthy aristocrat is spot-on. From his first interaction with the 'tolerable' Lizzie to the bandying of wit at Rosings, Firth is brilliant. He can speak volumes with a glance. Most of the cast is 'dead common'-- an odd looking bunch of English actors. Ehle simply shines set among them, but doesn't quite fit my imagine of Lizzie.

This adaptation is second only to 2005's condensed version starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfayden whose chemistry is stunningly belied in one scene and with but a touch of the hand. You certainly can't go wrong with either.