Pride & Prejudice Movies (Viewing May 29th at 8pm ET)

I will be watching and live tweeting the 2005 Pride & Prejudice at 8pm ET on May 29th. (I live in Japan, so that is actually 9am Saturday for me.) We won't always have to do Friday/Saturday viewings I just picked that for this time. Let me know if a different day/time works for you  -- my only wish is to not have to be up at 3am.

Make it a viewing party where ever you are -- maybe even with some themed food. You could do British pub food or a traditional Tea. Share your pics down below if you do anything fun!

Pride & Prejudice has been interpreted into numerous plays, movies, and TV-shows. Some have been better than others, and some have been phenomenal.

I am only going to concentrate (primarily) on the movies today.

The first interpretation to hit the big screen, Pride and Prejudice, premiered July 26, 1940. It starred Greer Garson and Laurence Oliver. It was well received, and The New York Times called it 

"the most deliciously pert comedy of old manners, the most crisp and crackling satire in costume that we in this corner can remember ever having seen on the screen."

I haven't seen this one yet, but I will comment below when I have (soon-ish, hopefully). Have you seen it? What did you think?

Available on demand: Amazon 

Buy it now: Amazon 

Then there was a long break from Jane Austin's Pride & Prejudice in the box office, but don't fret! Many of her other works were adapted to the silver screen.

The next interpretation introduce was Bridget Jones's Diary, released 13 April 2001, and starring Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth.

Did you know? The author of Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding, had envisioned Firth's Mr. Darcy from the 1995 mini-series when she created the character Mark Darcy. Additionally, Firth accepted the part of Mark Darcy in this film because Andrew Davies, the screenwriter for the 1995 mini-series, collaborated on the screenplay for Bridget Jones's Diary. But! Firth had initially declined the role of Mr. Darcy in the BBC show.

Could you imagine a world where Colin Firth wasn't Mr. Darcy (or Mark Darcy)?! I can't. He was, no, is my favorite Darcy.

Available on demand: Amazon
Buy it now: Amazon 

Next up, Bride and Prejudice, is a Bollywood style movie. It was released on October 8, 2004 and stars Aishwarya Rai and Martin Henderson. The music and the dancing emphasize the themes and emotions in the story. You'll notice there is no kissing in this movie - apparently that is because in traditional Bollywood movies public displays of affection are taboo, even at a wedding!

I'm going to admit that this is not my favorite P&P interpretation though. I don't like Rai's Lalita (Elizabeth). It wasn't until after I'd seen it that I found out that Rai refused to read P&P because she didn't want to be influenced by the real Elizabeth. I always hate when I find out that movie makers (actors, directors, cameramen...any of them, really) haven't read the book. It just doesn't sit well with me. What do you think? Am I too harsh?

Available on demand: Amazon

Buy it now: Amazon

However, the 2005 adaptation, starting Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen is my favorite. (And I will openly admit that Macfadyen is the closest second as can be to Firth in my eyes. To be honest, it may only be that Firth came first, if it had been any other way Macfayden would probably be my number one. So dreamy...)

This is one of my all time favorite movies, and completes regularly with Star Trek (2009) to be my feel good movie du jour. I will watch one or the other at least once a month. I love everything about this movie, the casting (especially Donald Sutherland as Mr. Bennet), the music, the setting; everything.

I am not wrong or alone. Pride & Prejudice was nominated for 34 awards that year. Including Academy Awards, British Academy Film Awards, and a couple Golden Globes. In total, it won five awards:

• Best New Filmmaker- Joe Wright, from the Boston Society of Film Critics
• Most Promising Newcomer - Joe Wright, from the British Academy Film Awards
• Best British Film, from the Empire Awards
• British Director of the Year- Joe Wright, from the London Film Critics' Circle
• British Supporting Actor of the Year- Tom Hollander, also from the London Film Critics Circle

This is the one we'll be watching on May 29th at 8 pm Eastern. Live tweet with me (@FIBookClub) using #FIwatchPnP

Available on demand: Amazon
Buy Now: Amazon

What are your favorite adaptions?