SourceBooks is giving away copies of Marsha Altman's
The Darcys and the Bingleys to two lucky winners. All you need to do is leave a comment and tell us who your favorite movie Darcy and Bingley couples are and why. The contest is open until October 1. To tweak your memory, we've posted their photos (and actual names) below.
The Darcys
2005, Matthew Macfadyen and Keira Knightley
1995, Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle
1980, Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul
1940, Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier
2005, Simon Woods and Rosamund Pike
1995, Susannah Harker and Crispin Bonham-Carter
1980, Sabina Franklyn and Osmund Bolluck
1940, Maureen O'Sullivan and Bruce Lester
2005, Matthew Macfadyen and Keira Knightley
1995, Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle
1980, Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul
1940, Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier
2005, Simon Woods and Rosamund Pike
1995, Susannah Harker and Crispin Bonham-Carter
1980, Sabina Franklyn and Osmund Bolluck
1940, Maureen O'Sullivan and Bruce Lester
42 comments:
ok, don't hate me! but i'm a 2005 fan. I appreciate the 1995's adaption because it was very true to the book. but to me, elizabeth and darcy are keira knightly and matthew macfadyen. I also adore simon woods and rosamund pike as their respective characters. These characters were the appropriate ages, which i think helped a lot, and also, i saw this adaption first, by accident really. so these actors will always be the characters in my mind. though i do think macfadyen to be a little to "droll" sometimes and woods to be a bit too cheerful, i must say i like them the best.
I love the 1980 version with David Rintoul and Elizabeth Garvie. For a long time, I thought nothing could be better. Then, along came Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle and they were wonderful. Perfect, really. Don't get me started on Keira Knightley. She was so wrong for the role of Elizabeth, in just about every way. Matthew Macfadyen's Darcy was acceptable, but Keira Knightley ruined that film for me.
My favorite Bingley couple is Susannah Harker and Crispin Bonham-Carter. I just liked them.
I never thought that I'd be split on my preferences...My favorite movie with Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth would have to be the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice. My favorite couple of the Bingleys that I prefer would be from the 2005 version.
I also did not appreciate Keira Knightley's version. I absolutely love the 1995 version, with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. As for the Bingley's, I still like the same 1995 version, Susannah Harker and Crispin Bonham-Carter. Thanks!
I hope I do not start an adaptation war--but I am not a big P&P 2005 fan. The film does have its sweet moments but in my opinion the actors and actresses (Colin Firth, Jennifer Ehle, Susannah Harker and Crispin Bonham-Carter) in the 1995 version come straight off the pages onto the screen.
Felicia, You are right. We do not want to start an adaptation war. For the opportunity of winning a book, we simply want people to freely express which Darcy and Bingley couple appeals to them most.
I'm still a huge fan of the 1995 group of Firth/Ehle. :) But number two is Oliver and Greer -- for as much as they deviate from the book and dear lord, those outfits (which is why after many times starting to watch the movie I couldn't continue, but I finally stuck with it), I really liked it, but it was those two who made it quite enjoyable. Besides, Oliver is a pretty cute Darcy himself. ;) I also just didn't like the 2005, and I did see the 1980, but I haven't watched it in a while, so I don't remember it a whole lot. Going to have to watch it again sometime. :)
As for the Bingleys, I realized that yep, loved Harker and Carter from 95 one, but I basically can't remember all that much from the other versions, including the 1940 one. . . geez louise, guess I just haven't watched the other versions as much or as closely when it comes to Jane and Bingley! LOL
Lois
I love the 1995 version as it is the closest to the book. Firth/Ehle and Harker/Bonham-Carter are wonderful in their roles. I actually like the setting and the "American Ending" of the 2005 version. Firth is still known as "Mr Darcy" so he must have done something right with the role.
For me, I'd have to say my fave Elizabeth and Darcy is Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth but my favourite Jane and Bingley is Rosamund Pike and Simon Woods - Rosamund Pike was the definition of sweetness and kindness in the movie and Simon Woods was just soo....Bingley. And I just adore Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth because they're soooo great at their characters.
One thing I have to mention, though, is that my favourite friendship between Darcy and Bingley is in the 2005 movie. The 1995 Darcy and Bingley friendship was also very very good but for me...the movie was made for me when in the 2005 version Darcy and Bingley are practicing Bingley's proposal. LOL!
I want to read this book sooooo badly. ^^
~laura~
Oh, it has to be Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. I think they are absolutely wonderful and completely right for their roles. There is magic between them. I quite liked Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy, but Keira Knightly was no Lizzy for me.
I'm tempted to vote for Susannah Harker and Crispin Bonham-Carter as the Bingley couple, just because I'm such a fan of the 1995 series, but I did like Simon Woods and Rosamund Pike too.
I haven't seen the other versions.
I like the 1995 series and 2005 movie too.
The Bingleys: Rosamund Pike and Crispin Bonham-Carter (a mix, 1995/2005).
The Darcys: Matthew Macfadyen and... Keira Knightley... she has fine eyes but... I have no Lizzie, not yet.
PS:I would like to see Lyndsey Marshal as Lizzie. She has fine eyes and I think she is a very good actress.
To be quite honest I haven't seen any of these (but I've been planning to). I guess I need to catch up! I just re-read Pride and Prejudice last month. But if I had to pick, I would pick the actors from the 1995 version:
Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle
Susannah Harker and Crispin Bonham-Carter.
O my this is tough. I thought it was Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle until I recently saw the older version (the first screen version I ever saw) with Laurence Olivier. It's almost a tie but I think Colin Firth and Jennifer get it.
And really enjoyed Rosamun Pike and Simon WOods in the newest version. Rosamund is so sweet.
Thanks for the contest!
I love the cast from BBC 1995.
Elizabeth may have been older than I wouldve pictured her but I liked her wry rather than overly headstrong.
Colin Firth ruined all/any other fellow who would be cast as Darcey. He was perfect.
I liked the sweet Jane & Bingley in both 2005 & 95 versions. I have to agree that the 2005 Jane seemed more like she was shy and the 95 Jane just sort of blank.
My fav Darcys are Colin Firtha nd Jennifer Ehle--how can you do better than that pair?! But I prefer the 2005 Bingleys as they just look delightful together, and so nervous and twitterpated.
:) Shauna
Wow! Tough call.
But please don't say Colin Firth....
Erggg!
Oh how I wish I could mix the couples. I'd love to pick Elizabeth Garvie and Colin Firth. Alas, I must choose:
Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle
-because Colin is the greatest Darcy I've seen.
-because Jennifer is energetic, yet able to quietly reflect on important things.
And I choose:
Susannah Harker and Crispin Bonham-Carter because:
-Crispin is one of the few film Bingleys that has not been portrayed as a bumbling moron.
-Susannah is sweet and the perfect contrast to Jennifer.
OH I am just in time! This is one of my favorite topics of discussion as far as P&P goes, although I am always torn on my Darcys (can't I have them all?).
Bingleys- 2005 version, because they were over-adorable and perfect
Darcys- 1995 version
For me the 1995 version embraces the look, the feel & the wit of the book. Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle both have the strength as performers, and the right looks. As for the Bingley's, I still like the same 1995 version. While I don't feel that Susannah Harker truly has the "right" look, her performance personality is perfect. And how can anyone resist Crispin Bonham-Carter's huge, warm grin as Mr. Bingley?
Oh! The 1995 version is certainly my all-time favorite for both couples, but I love Pride & Prejudice, so really can't say that I dislike any of them. I simply think that Colin Firth is the best Mr. Darcy! The characters were cast so well in that version.
A side note - Pride and Prejudice is my all-time favorite book - I think I've read it about 15 times!
I've got Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler on my To-Be-Read pile, and I'd love to add The Darcys and Bingles to my pile!
Please include me in your drawing!
wbarker @ hotmail.com
wendisbookcorner.blogspot.com
:) Wendi
I like both of the 1995 couples. I think Jennifer Ehle really captured Elizabeth's spunk and verve, and don't get me started on the dreaminess that is Colin Firth as Darcy. And I have to admit that I have a very shallow reason for liking the 1995 Bingleys. For some reason, I've fallen in love with Crispin Bonham-Carter's hair. ;)
Wow this is really hard, I'd have to say though that my favorite Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth have to be the 1995 version with Collin Firth (YUM!) and Jennifer Ehle, but then my favorite Bingley and Jane are the 2005 version with Simon Woods and Rosamund Pike. I just wish we could take each couple and put them together in one movie!!
No question, 1995 A&E for both Bingley's and Darcys. Colin Firth & Jennifer Ehle and Susannah Harker & Crispin Bonham-Carter are the best couples. If we could split some up, I do like Rosamund Pike for Jane Bennett but as a couple Susannah & Crispin are the best. I really don't like Keira Knightley for Elizabeth Bennett. I like Keira as an actress but not for Elizabeth - she just isn't right for the part.
My favorite Darcy couple is from the BBC 1985 edition with Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul. Why? Because Elizabeth had that set to her face and edge to her voice when she was using her wit, which I think more truly reflects the character from the novel. And, too, she was not "as beautiful as Jane" which is brought up in the novel often enough to remember.
Rintoul as Darcy is my favorite primarily because of the joy that suffused his features when Elizabeth assured him she did not now, NOT wish to marry him. That was never, to my eyes, seen in the more popular 1995 version but was in the novel a big moment for me as a reader.
My favorite Bingleys are the 1995 version, with Susannah Harker and Crispin Bonham-Carter. HE makes a great Bingly. Very vibrant and passionate. I could see why Jane would love him. It made total sense to me. And she was SUCH a lady. A grand big sister and so lovely in her joy when Bingley asks to marry her. Finally. :)
I have to add to all this, though, that my favorite ELIZABETH of all time is Greer Garson. SHE is an ideal Elizabeth Bennet. I did not at all care for Olivier as Darcy (perhaps it was the script, but I don't think he came off as well) but she was inspired as Elizabeth.
Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier, I love this version. I like all the versions, actually. SO, I guess I love this one because it is the newest one to me. I just watched it for the first time recently. Before, I would have said the A&E version.
I love the 2005 version. The 1995 version is wonderful and a delight to watch, but I like the seemingly deeper, more strained relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth in the 2005 version. I suppose I like the "darker" P&P found in the 2005 adaptation, over the "lighter" 1995 version. And kill me if you like, but I think MacFadyen is much hotter than Firth. :)I like the Bingley's from 2005 better, too. When I think of Bingley and Jane, images of these two pop into my head. They seem more memorable to me than the 1995 couple.
Can I mix my couples like they do in fantasy sports? If so, I'd have to choose David Rintoul (1980) and Jennifer Ehle (1995) for Darcy and Elizabeth. If I can't mix, I'd have to go with Rintoul and Garvie.
My favorite Jane/Bingley are Rosamund Pike and Simon Woods. Rosamund is by far the prettiest actress to have played Jane, and Simon Woods brought such a sense of humor to the role of Bingley that his is now the face/body language I see when I read the book---and that's with not liking the 2005 version very much!
My favourite is deffinantly the 1995 version with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. The first Austen film I saw, was the 2005 version of P&P.
I hadn't read any of Jane Austens books back then, so was completely blank on the story or what it should be like.
After reading all Jane Austens books and seeing the 1995 version I really think the 1995 one captures the story perfectly.
People, sets, everything is just perfect.
However I do slightly prefer Rosamund Pike and Simon Woods as Jane and Mr. Bingley. (just slightly though)
Please! Though Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle look the part and the writers were faithful to the P&P text, the characters were more faithful and better acted by Macfadyen/Knightly pair. The same is true for the Pike/Woods couple (the only ones to portray this couple with any personality at all, in my opinion...) Knightly/Macfadyen's portrayal took me beyond Austin and made me yearn and seek out other pieces of their work. It was as if they had studied all the peripheral works of P&P and used them to interpret the characters. This was ACTING.
I thought both of the more recent film versions were well done, but I would have to choose the '95 version for the Darcys. The '05 Bingleys were nicely paired, and added just the right amount of humor to the role. I would love to get my hands on the 1940 version, I've never seen that one!
I have always liked Olivier and Garson's look of Darcy and Elizabeth. I know the costumes aren't authentic but they have always seemed right in the parts. Maybe this is only because It is the first movie version I ever saw.
Keira Knightly is so NOT Elizabeth.
As for Bingleys I really like Rosamond Pike as Jane but Bingley's hair is just so odd in that movie and sort of ruins it for me but I still think I would say, other than the hair, they look great in their roles.
It's P&P 05 and Keira and Matthew, Rosamund and Simon for me! P&P 95 was my gold standard until 05 came along and then I was bewitched body and soul by the wonderful acting. I am a fan of Keira Knightley and I thought she did a wonderful job as Joe Wright's vision of Lizzy. Matthew Macfadyen mesmerised me as Darcy, such depth and ability to convey his emotions with just a look... and that voice!! *sigh*
Rosamund Pike was perfect as Jane, pretty and sweet, and Simon Wood conveyed perfectly a Bingley unsure of himself and grateful for Darcy's guidance as he made his way in the world.
Joe Wrights P & P 05 is my favorite
version of the story. In only
2 plus hours Joe was able to convey
all the heart and soul of one of
the most romantic novels ever written. He chose his actors carefully. He wanted them to be
the age they were in JA writing and
he succeeded when he chose Kiera
Knightley, 19 and Matthew Macfadyen
29. There was such chemistry between these two it literally brought you into their world and
put you in touch with the feelings
they were experiencing. Kiera barely out of her teens insulted
by Matthew's rude remarks and so
like a teenager retaliates with her
own sniping while forming a false
opinion of him. That is just as
JA meant it to be. Matthew playing
a young man burdened with so much
responsibility and wanting to be anywhere but with other people. So
misunderstood, so torn between the
stirring of love for Kiera. It was
written all over his handsome face
without having to say a word. The
sadness after he proposed, in a most insulting way, was evident.
He knew he had made a mistake and
she grew up that day. Simon, ever
the happy go lucky young man following his friends advise and
leaving town, leaving the woman he
loved was heartbreaking and played
perfectly by Simon. Rosamund Pike
as the beautiful Jane, suffering
in silence ever willing to accept
her fate. The final scenes with
such romance as Simon proposes to
Rosamund and admits, "I've been
a fool" She answers with yes, a
million times yes to marrying him
as tears flow. Finally, Matthew
after not sleeping and summoning
the courage to go find his love,
is walking in the mist like a lost
soul when he sees Kiera who has had
a sleepless night. He expresses
his love to her..he stammers I love,love, love you. She steps forward and takes his hand...you're
cold and kisses his hand. It's an
unspoken agreement as they touch
foreheads. The heart and soul, there it is brought to you by these
wonderful actors.
Sue Corley
I have always enjoyed Laurence Olivier's performance as Darcy! Laurence Olivier is so handsome in that role! Greer Garson isn't my favorite Elizabeth but she is spunky and intelligent in her role!
Maureen O'sullivan scares me....she reminds me of the bride of Frankenstein! So my favorite Bingleys are
Simon Woods and Rosamund Pike.
I do enjoy watching all the adaptations though because each brings out something different in the story or characters.
I concur with Sue Corley-Brava!
The 1995 version, all four of them.
I saw Garson/Olivier first and liked Lady de Burgh most ;-) Garson was wonderful but Olivier was wooden. (Legend has it that Adrian didn't want to do Regency costumes again and decided that the film must be transferred some decades later...)
I didn't see the Garvie/Rintoul version but will hopefully do so in the future.
I never managed to see the 2005 version to the end. Every time I tried, I switched it off before the end. I guess I'm a purist.
Both coupses did nothing for me, although I do like Pike very much in other films. They just looked like pretty dolls, all four of them. I didn't get a feel for their characters, sorry.
The 1995 version is perfect IMO. Darcy looks as though he stepped out of Austens imagination this very moment. Lizzie looks different from the way I imagined her but after seconds I understood that this was indeed Lizzie, with her indignation, her struggle for liberty and her pert opinions.
Bonham-Carter and Harker are perfect, too. BC's eager smile and his eagerness to please - Harker's gentleness and beautiful profile. Kudos for not casting a beauty of today but a beauty of the Regency time.
The pain in her voice when she showed Lizzie Lydia's letter under all the gentleness. Great acting, as opposed to pretty pictures in the later version.
I have enjoyed the 1995 and 2005 version of P&P, but my fav couples are Matthew Macfadyen and Keira Knightley. Matthew was my perfect Mr. Darcy. I like both actors, so to me they made the characters believeable.
My favorites are all over the place: I like the Darcys from 1995 P&P, the 1940 Mr. Bingley (Bruce Lester), and 1980 Jane (Sabina Franklyn).
As for me, my favourite Lizzy/Mr Darcy couple is Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle 1995 miniseries version. Their acting is top-notch and this remain my favourite adaptation as it follows closely to the novel.
As for Jane/Bingley couple, i prefer Simon Woods and Rosamund Pike. Simon Woods nailed it perfectly for me as he gave more depth to Bingley when he practised his proposal speech in front of Darcy, hahaha. Rosamund plays Jane as sweet and kind and these 2 actors are about the same age as the character's.
Favorite Darcy/Lizzy and Bingley/Jane are both from the 1995 version. I had read the book many times before I saw the film (just this past winter!), and both couples fit the bill. I also feel they work well together as couples, if that makes any sense.
I would have to say that I like Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth for the Darcys, and Rosamund Pike and Simon Woods for the Bingleys. I love both the mini-series and the new movie, but not the older versions. I shudder to think of the Grier Garson and Laurence Olivier version.
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