Great Books: Pride and Prejudice

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” So begins Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, one of the most beloved classics in all of English literature and the fountainhead for a never-ending supply of books, plays, and films. Narrated by Donald Sutherland, this entry from the Discovery Channel's Great Books series combines comments from scholars, authors, and filmmakers (including Fay Weldon, who adapted the book for a 1980 BBC production; Helen Fielding, whose Bridget Jones's Diary is a modern update; and Nora Ephron, whose romantic comedies Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail owe a literary debt to Austen), with film clips (from TV adaptations and the 1940 feature film with Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson) and dramatic re-enactments. Viewers will learn a bit about Austen's life (she wrote six novels, never married, and died at the age of 41), the early 19th century (a time when the career choices for women were essentially limited to tutors, governesses, or wives—and, in matters of the heart, “ritual was a prelude to romance”), the origins of the novel (which began as First Impressions in 1797, but was rejected, and later revised and published in 1813 as Pride and Prejudice), and the long-developing romance between the spirited, independent Elizabeth Bennett and the haughty, aristocratic Mr. Darcy, as well as insights into a wide range of supporting characters (the inimitable Bennett parents, buffoonish Mr. Collins, and the wicked Wickham). In addition, the film incorporates contemporary interviews with couples and brides-to-be on the subject of misleading first impressions. DVD extras include access to sections of the film by thematic units. A solid introduction, this is recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P. (R. Pitman)