Pride and prejudice: TV series vs Movie

By Andrea Ghimpu

“Pride and Prejudice” (1813) is a classic regency novel written by Jane Austen, a British novelist and literary critic. The book has achieved massive success and is one of the most beloved classics even to this day. The book follows the story of the young Elizabeth Bennet and her family as they face the most common challenges of teenagers and young adults. The story is beloved by many for its dynamic characters, captivating descriptions, and subtle but beautiful romance plot. Two centuries later, the book has been adapted for the big screen: both as a TV series and a movie. But which one of them is better?

The “Pride and Prejudice” TV series aired in 1995 on BBC and has six 50-minute long episodes. The show features Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth as the protagonists of the show Elizabeth Bennet and Mr.Darcy respectively. What I particularly liked about the show is the fact that it stays true to the original plot of the book. Because it has a much longer screen time, the plot is more developed and includes more details from the book. Each episode creates a very cozy and in some way regal and exquisite atmosphere.

10 years later, in 2005, the movie adaptation of the book was released starring one of the greatest actresses of all time Keira Knightley in the main role. Due to the modernisation of the film industry, everything was more “grand” compared to the series. The sets, the costumes and the scenes representing balls and dinners were a much better portrayal of the original description presented in the books compared to the series. The acting was more dynamic and I feel like the characters were more vibrant and accurate to the book. However, there is one criticism: because the whole plot of the book had to be compressed into a 2 hour long movie, the movie feels a little bit rushed. Also, one crucial scene at the end was slightly modified, but I think that it turned out great regardless.

So what is better, the series or the movie? I would say that if you enjoy a long-term experience with a more detailed plot, you should watch the series. At the same time, if you prefer a more modern, faced-paced adaptation, I recommend watching the movie. Regardless of the differences, I think both have a certain charm and create a pleasant atmosphere, which is exactly what made the original book so popular. To conclude, I would also recommend reading the book itself, since the descriptions and the style of writing are absolutely incredible. Such books are rarely written nowadays, but this is exactly what makes classics so special.