Pride and Prejudice

I'm a nut for Masterpiece Theatre presentations on BBC.  Several years ago, I watched The Forsyte Saga.  I happened to catch the 2nd episode one Sunday evening.  It started at 9:00 pm and I didn't want to watch what everyone else was watching so I pulled up a chair in the kitchen and watched it on our little 12" tv.  I was instantly and totally hooked.  It lasted several weeks and my schedule started revolving around the next Sunday night episode.  Episodes were missed, of course, as it was impossible to clear off my Sunday evening schedule for several consecutive weeks.  So, now it is my annual Netflix rental during hunting season.  I watch consecutive episodes with my supper on my lap and my favorite beverage in my hand!  I even get to view it on the large 40" screen tv--in the living room!

Since then, I've tried to catch as many Masterpiece Theatre presentations as I could.  The Sunday night broadcast is (was) very inconvenient, however, and so the pattern eventually stopped.  In addition, I do like to watch tv with the guys.  But I am hooked.  I recently caught a couple episodes of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth. Again, it consumed me.   I knew I wouldn't be able to watch the entire series and was ok with that.  I knew my day would come.  A few weeks ago, I found the series at Target for $10.00.  $10.00!!!!  I grabbed it and threw it in my cart so fast I'm surprised it didn't break.  So, last week--during the work week--I watched the whole thing on my portable dvd player in the living room with my headphones on.  During the week!  I'm becoming a rebel.  This kind of activity is usually saved for the weekend. :)  

Pride and Prejudice is not my favorite but it is definitely a 'must-see'. My favorite characters are the two leading men...Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennett.  Mr. Bennett is Lizzy's father and he is wonderful.  He is raising 5 daughters and the conversations he has with them is my favorite part of the movie.  Mr. Darcy is the proud, seemingly self-absorbed man who falls in love with Lizzy.

This is a great photo of Mr. Darcy.  He usually looks very cranky but he is staring at Lizzy in this photo. :)

Mr. Darcy's estate--amazing.

This is one of the many conversations Mr. Bennett has with his daughter, Lizzy.  They are very close.

Some of my favorite lines:

Mr. Bennett:  "I am heartily ashamed of myself, Lizzy. But don't despair, it'll pass; and no doubt more quickly than it should."

Another favorite line was expressed when his two oldest daughters were leaving for an extended visit.  Mr. Bennett told Lizzy:  "Til you or your sister Jane return, I shall not hear two words of sense spoken together."

Mr. Bennett returns from his attempt to bring home his 16 year old daughter, Lydia, who has run away with a soldier. He is feeling distressed and has a conversation with his daughter, Lizzy.  The following excerpt is taken from a website that is actually devoted to the movie "Pride and Prejudice".  I stumbled on it when I was searching for photos.  I like the way Mr. Bennett is depicted....

  

Mr Bennet’s Journey in Pride and Prejudice

Mr Bennet also does something that can endear one to even the very worst of people – apologizes. In Chapter 48 of Pride and Prejudice, Mr Bennet returns from London without Lydia, and talks with Elizabeth:

It was not till the afternoon, when he had joined them at tea, that Elizabeth ventured to introduce the subject; and then, on her briefly expressing her sorrow for what he must have endured, he replied, “Say nothing of that. Who should suffer but myself? It has been my own doing, and I ought to feel it.”

“You must not be too severe upon yourself,” replied Elizabeth. 

“You may well warn me against such an evil. Human nature is so prone to fall into it! No, Lizzy, let me once in my life feel how much I have been to blame. I am not afraid of being overpowered by the impression. It will pass away soon enough.”

It’s a severe piece of self-criticism, and could fail to touch only the coldest of hearts.

***

The stories depicted in Masterpiece Theatre productions reflect different times.  Different roles and conventions.  But human nature continues to be the same.  As I watch, I regret that some of the ways have been lost.  And I'm thankful that some of the ways have been abandoned.  Very thankful.

So what is it about these productions?  Easy.  It is the conversations...the way words are used to express emotions and ideas.  It's the characters...the rich dialogue.  It's captivating.

And so I will watch P&P again the next time I have 5 1/2 hours to spare.  and again...and again...