Pride & Prejudice (2005 film)
| Pride & Prejudice | |
|---|---|
| File:Prideandprejudice-movieposter.jpg | |
| Directed by | Joe Wright |
| Written by | Screenplay: Jane Austen Deborah Moggach |
| Produced by | Tim Bevan Liza Chasin |
| Starring | Keira Knightley Matthew Macfadyen Brenda Blethyn Donald Sutherland Rosamund Pike Jena Malone Simon Woods Tom Hollander Claudie Blakley Rupert Friend Kelly Reilly Judi Dench |
| Music by | Dario Marianelli |
| Distributed by | Focus Features |
Running time | 127 min. |
| Language | English |
| Budget | US$28 million |
Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice (1813) has been the subject of numerous television and film adaptations. This version was produced by Working Title Films, directed by Joe Wright, and from a screenplay by Deborah Moggach. It was released on September 16, 2005 in the UK and on November 11, 2005 in the US. It was filmed totally on location around the UK in the summer of 2004 at stately homes including Chatsworth House in Derbyshire (as Pemberley), Groombridge Place in Kent, Basildon Park in Berkshire and Burghley House in Lincolnshire (as Rosings).
Cast and crew
- Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet
- Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy
- Brenda Blethyn as Mrs. Bennet
- Donald Sutherland as Mr. Bennet
- Rosamund Pike as Jane Bennet
- Jena Malone as Lydia Bennet
- Carey Mulligan as Kitty Bennet
- Talulah Riley as Mary Bennet
- Dame Judi Dench as Lady Catherine de Burgh
- Simon Woods as Mr. Bingley
- Kelly Reilly as Caroline Bingley
- Claudie Blakley as Charlotte Lucas
- Rupert Friend as Mr. Wickham
- Tom Hollander as Mr. Collins
- Penelope Wilton as Mrs. Gardiner
- Peter Wright as Mr. Gardiner
- Tamzin Merchant as Georgiana Darcy
- Charlie Drysdale as The Gentleman Farmer
Reaction
The film received mixed reviews. Some critics praised Keira Knightley for her portrayal of "Lizzie" Bennet—Roger Ebert suggested she should be nominated for an Academy Award for her performance—and the rest of the cast also received similar reviews. The movie's cinematography and score, written by Dario Marianelli and performed by Jean-Yves Thibaudet, also received acclaim.
Other critics noted that the traditional length of films released to the theaters (approx. two hours) did not permit this version to be as faithful to the book as the six-hour 1995 television version. In addition some felt that the film placed greater emphasis on a romantic atmosphere than social comedy and that the casting of Knightley as Elizabeth unsettled the balance of the story. Others claim that the casting choice in the TV series was even more off balance concerning the beauty of Elizabeth and Jane. The 2005 film has also been criticized for "dumbing down" Austen's original, witty language – for example, turning comic punch lines into dull, merely dramatic text.
Regardless of the film's entertainment value, it can be said without doubt that there are some definite historical inaccuracies regarding costume and scenery. Although this adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is set in an earlier time than most adaptations, the vast majority of costuming (gowns, hair, etc.) are unfit for either period, and in any case are inconsistent throughout the movie. For example, young women in the late 1700s/early 1800s did not have their hair cut in bangs, nor did they go bare-armed. The most accurate costuming in an Austen adaptation is seen in the BBC's 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice, as well as in Emma Thompson's film Sense and Sensibility. The most recent adaptation of Mansfield Park (starring Frances O'Connors) bears some historical inaccuracies as well (though not as prominent as 2005's Pride and Prejudice). However, such inaccuracy is generally overlooked, being not unusual in a Hollywood historical adaptation.
The movie received a number of nominations in the 2005/2006 Awards season, notably four nominations in the Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Keira Knightley and Best Original Score.
Box Office
The movie adaptation took the number one spot in the UK its first week; earning £2.5 million ($4.5 million) in 400 screens. It stayed on the top spot for two more weeks; earning a total of over £14 million at the UK box office at that time and was featured on 1,335 screens (at widest domestic release).
The film debuted with an opening weekend of 2.9 million USD on 215 screens. Two weeks later this increased to 1,299 screens, and the box office returns increased to 7.2 million USD. The film has has grossed over $100 million US dollars worldwide.
DVD
- UK release: February 2, 2006
- U.S. release: February 28, 2006