There are so many delights to director Joe Wright’s take on the story, and his direction is a strong place to start. In spite of having to condense the tale to fit a movie running time, he nonetheless injects a real energy and intelligence to his retelling, and he’s served supremely well by his cast. Backed up by strong support by the likes of Brenda Blethyn and Donald Sutherland, it’s Keira Knightley in the lead turn who’s a real surprise here. Her performance is a real joy, and very much at the core of the film’s success.

The film inevitably draws comparison with the superb 1995 BBC adaptation, and while arguably it doesn’t quite scale the same peaks, it’s to the credit of the filmmakers that their version still holds strong. For this is a tremendously enjoyable drama, and one that should continue to find an audience for a long time to come. An excellent film.--Simon Brew


Customer Reviews (Average 3.0 from 349) :
Pretty apalling
Rating:2
From the point of view of someone who loved the book and enjoyed the fantastic BBC adaptation, this was a major let-down. Of course, what the BBC achieved in 6 hours could not be crammed into a 2 hour film. However, that is not what bothered me. I was prepared for the changes that would have to be made to cram a very plot and dialogue heavy novel into the length of a film.
I was not prepared for the terrible miscasting of the main characters. Matthew McFayden, much as I like him, does not have any of the presence or the charisma required to play Darcy. Keira Knightly, although not a bad actress, just doesn't have the fire and determination of Lizzie. Worst of all though is the use of Donald Sutherland. Why oh why oh why oh why would anyone cast an American actor who cannot do an English accent in this role? He mumbles and mutters so much of the time that you cannot hear some of the great dialogue that Mr.Bennet is given. When you can hear him, the American accent is very distracting. There is such a plethora of British acting talent around that would be of the correct age and experience to play the part that I cannot understand what the casting directors were thinking. Rupert Friend also seems miscast- very pretty to look at but none of the undercurrents that should be felt in Mr.Wickham. Thank heavens for Brenda Blethyn then, who does a wonderful job with Mrs.Bennett and Rosamund Pike who was just right as Jane.
The only thing that I think they did get right was to show a bit more honestly what it was like in those times. I liked the darker lighting and the more muted tones most of the time, although the occasional reprieve would have been nice. I have watched this film more than once and I only get more irritated each time by the wimpy version of Mr.Darcy and the Elizabeth Bennet lite that it presents. That's enough now. I won't watch it again.

Pride & Prejudice 2005 dvd
Rating:5
I saw this on tv and loved the film so thought I would purchase the dvd. Am very pleased with the item and very pleased at the speed it was delivered. Thank you.

Awful don't bother to buy this
Rating:1
Watching this film was a very torturous experience. Does not resemble Pride and Prejudice. Like watching some other nice but bland film set in the past with the wrong title. Keira Knightly was totally miscast as Elisabeth Bennett and acts like she is just a silly schoolgirl that no one would be interested in. Matthew Macfayden has nothing in common with Mr Darcy at all and it is hard to believe they could not have found a more suitable actor to play the role. He spends most of the film in an almost trance like state looking miserable and boring. No passion, no depth. There is no chemistry whatsoever between Kinghtley and Macfadyen either. Script is seriously lacking. The proposal scene was cringe-worthy. No idea why it outside in the rain- perhaps trying to create an atmosphere that not achieved by the actors or the script. Some of the other actors were wrong too.. Mr Bingley was hilarious and played in an over the top comical way. If you liked previous film versions (and the book) this is painful to watch! An insult to English Literature.

This isn't Pride & Prejudice - miscast, a bit comical. But OK if you don't know the original.
Rating:3
It's nothing like the original P&P, so forget the book and the splendid BBC adaptation with Firth and Ehrle. This movie reminds me more of the completely loopy old Laurence Olivier version in which everyone wore Victorian gear - that is, it's so loose an adaptation it's really something else. Forget the genteel Bennets living in their nice house with their genteel friends and haughty Mr Darcy. This lot are surely lifted from Austen's Emma. Remember Emma's friend Harriet's farmer suitor Mr Martin? Well in this movie you have Mr Martin and his wife - rather silly Harriet - in later years, with their five kids living on their farm where Elizabeth communes with the pigs and Mr Darcy is shy, inarticulate and rather morose, presumably the son of the local squire.

Confusing that the movie makers have called this Pride & Prejudice. They could have called it Three of Farmer Martin's Daughters Find Husbands.....

If you've never read Austen and you like Mills & Boon type love stories you'll probably enjoy this a lot. I don't obejct to M&B love stories and so long as I forget all about Austen, I can enjoy this too. Just don't expect to see Austen because you won't find anything much of her in this. I'd call it a script "based very loosely on P&P with characters from Emma" and on that basis it's fine. Keira Knightly isn't a favourite of mine but she does well enough in this as "Farmer Martin's favourite daughter." Darcy is acted rather ineffectually - you get impatient with him pretty quickly. Otherwise, a bit of fun.





Definitley not as good as the BBC 1995 version
Rating:3
My views:

-Whilst Keria is a pretty woman she looked absolutely dreadful in this. Her hair extensions were awful. Her whole demeanor did not suit. She came across as an immature girl.
- Mr Bingley was actually an insipid, grating person
- The film seemed to be chopped up and joined with no real flow eg Keira getting separated from her aun and uncle on visiting Pemberley
- Mr Darcy's "I love...love...love you" made me cringe...for goodness sake which man would speak like that!!
- the only characters I actually enjoyed and played their parts well in this version were in my opinion:
* Jane Bennet
* Mrs Bennet
* Mr Collins
* Lady Catherine de Bourg

Both versions of the ending left alot to be desired. Whomever wrote the love scenes should be shot!!