Customer Review(s)
Customer Rating: 
Summary: The Purist's Version
Comment: This version might be called The Purist's Version of P&P. I saw this when it originally aired on Masterpiece Theatre in 1980 and bought the video shortly thereafter. It is now worn out from repeated viewing, so I'm happy that the DVD is now available.
Essentially, I think this version (vs. the Colin Firth A&E version) adheres to the novel better and to the spirit of Jane Austen. While I enjoy that version and Mr. Firth, it includes scenes not in the novel, has a more modern sensibility and is more overtly romantic (though not as romantic as the 2005 version).
I believe Jane Austen's words are the real joy of this version. They come alive and absolutely sparkle in the hands of these actors! In addition, there are two characters that I believe are distinctly better in this version: Lady Catherine is delicious and infuriating, and Mr. Collins is a comic gem of a performance. The first proposal scene is I believe word for word from the novel and played to perfection. David Rintoul's Darcy may not be as accessible to modern audiences as Colin Firth's, but I believe Rintoul's performance is more subtle and closer to Austen's intent. I like the narration in this version giving voice to Elizabeth's (and Austen's) inner thoughts, which are always clever and insightful.
Highly recommended.
Customer Rating: Summary: My favorite Pride & Prejudice
Comment: I originally watched this version on Masterpiece Theatre in the early 1980s and am so pleased that it is now available on DVD. Like most of the other reviewers, I have seen the 1995 A&E version, and while I can understand the appeal of 1995 version (quality of cinematography, sound, etc.), not to mention that A&E spiced it up in order to appeal to late 20th century viewers, I prefer the 1980 version. The 1980 version is truer to the book; I get a much better sense of the relationships (Austen's novels are all about relationships) the characters, not just Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, have with one another, and there are no gratuitous scenes such as Mr. Darcy's wet shirt and the sight of one of the young Bennett sisters in her underwear, which apparently the 1995 producers thought necessary to include in order to appeal to modern viewers. Much as I am a Colin Firth fan, I actually prefer David Rintoul as Mr. Darcy. Some of the reviewers commented that he was too wooden, not emotional enough, but that is precisely how Jane Austen wrote his character--you begin to see him show more emotion later in the series, particularly when he learns of Lydia's running off to London with Mr. Wickham. In the book, as in the 1980 version, Mr. Darcy is a "proud" man; proud of his money, his property, his position in society, his family, his background, his connections, and he distrusts and despises those who are not his social equals, like the Bennett girls. I also liked the other actors in the 1980 version much better than those in the 1995 version, particularly Mrs and Mr Bennett, Jane, Lydia, Mr. Wickham, Judy Parfitt, and particularly Elizabeth. They all portray their characters much, much closer to how Jane Austen wrote them, and you get a much better sense of their relationships. The 1995 version is okay in its own way, but if you're looking for the truest adaption of Austen's novel, the 1980 version is it.
Customer Rating: Summary: Close, But Still My Favorite
Comment: I first saw this version on Masterpiece Theater in the early 80's when I was in high school. I had not read the book yet at that time but I was quite captivated by Elizabeth Garvie's portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet. (My being a 16 year old boy also might have had something to do with it.) Unfortunately I missed the final episode so I had to get the book. I have lost count how many times I have read it since. It is by far my favorite book which is a little odd since I tend to read Sci-Fi and Fantasy books usually.
I bought the VHS set as soon as it was available for both the 1980 and 1995 productions and I now own all three of the newer versions on DVD. I watched them all this weekend and found myself unintentionally comparing them. What I found is that, while I like them all, the 1980 adaptation is my favorite by a small margin over the 1995 one. The 2005 has it's merits and I really do like
Keira Knightly as Elizabeth. Of the three she is the only one who acts like she is truly not yet one and twenty :-).
It seems to me that the 1980 version is a tad closer to the book than the 1995 version in terms of the dialogue and the use of actual lines from the book. The production and scenery in the 1995 and 2005 versions are better than the 1980 one but the wit and humor are what carries the story for me and that is what ultimately leads me to enjoy the 1980 version best.
As to the character portrayals I prefer the following:
Mr. Collins, Mrs. Bennet, Caroline Bingley, Louisa Hurst, Charlotte Lucas, Wickam, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner - The1980 version
Darcy, Bingley, Lady Catherine and Anne DeBourgh, Gorgianna Darcy, Sir William Lucas, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Hurst - The 1995 Version
Jane Bennet - The 2005 version
Elizabeth Bennet - Too close to call 1980 and 2005
In any case I think that anyone who enjoys the book (please, please read it if you haven't and if you have, read it again) should add this to their collection.
