Pride and Prejudice (1940)

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

Brilliant and touching

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

Producer: Hunt Stromberg. Copyright 11 July 1940 by Loew's Inc. Presented by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. U.S. release: 2 August 1940. New York opening at the Radio City Music Hall: 8 August 1940 (ran 4 weeks). Australian release: 2 January 1941. 12 reels. 10,595 feet. 117½ minutes.SYNOPSIS: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." So runs the opening paragraph of Jane Austen's novel which is then dedicated to proving the falsity of this popular notion.NOTES: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Award, Art Direction (black-and-white) — the only category in which the film was nominated. Greer Garson was cited for Best Acting (along with sixteen other players) by the National Board of Review. Declaring that it was "one of the most charming and elegant costume pictures ever made", Bosley Crowther of The New York Times ranked Pride and Prejudice as one of his "Ten Best Films of 1940".A musical remake was planned by producer Arthur Freed in 1947. Both Sally Benson and Sidney Sheldon completed scenarios, but the project never came to fruition. However, a musical version entitled "First Impressions" (which was actually the original Jane Austen title of her book) debuted on Broadway in 1959. It starred Polly Bergen as Elizabeth, Farley Granger as Darcy, and Hermione Gingold as Mrs. Bennett.COMMENT: This witty if somewhat broad comedy of late 18th century manners is hardly the type of movie one would expect from that factory of common denominator escapist entertainment — MGM. Faithful to the mood and tone as well as the plot of the book, the amusing script (much of its dialogue lifted straight from the Jane Austen novel) provides wonderful opportunities for its superb cast. Garson and Olivier are ideal in the principal roles, and it is hard to imagine the roles of Lady Catherine De Bourgh, Mr. Collins and Mr. Bennet in more perfect hands than those of Edna May Oliver, Melville Cooper and Edmund Gwenn, respectively. The rest of the players are equally skillful — no thanks to director Robert Z. Leonard whose direction is so determinedly unobtrusive and bland that when he occasionally relies on process screen and glass shot effects these devices seem clumsy and heavily artificial. The movie has been lavishly produced and costumed, with sparkling photography by Karl Freund, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences award-winning sets (a deserving win despite stiff competition from a dozen other most attractively designed nominees), and a delightful music score so full of musical cues that it's no surprise that a musical remake was seriously considered.

since I read the book at the age of ten I have been trying to work out which was the worst adaptation of the novel:The 2005 one where all the actors seem scared of some thingthe 1995 where all the actors are to old1980 one where all the acting is stilted but this one left the all behind. the script is awful ('"but you are too proud" "and you are too prejudiced" '), There is little or no respect for the novel and costumes are form a completely different era. My usual rule is that the older adaptations of films are always better. I have found the exception that proves it. this film is nothing like the book. Jane Austen would turn in her grave if she saw it. Anyone who likes it should go and read the book again.

This is a fun comedy and drama about the Bennets and how they have to marry off their daughters to suitable males from wealthy society that may bring them happiness. From the get go Mrs Bennet is hunting suitable admirers from the landed gentry.The film is an adaptation of the stage play and condenses the Jane Austen novel as well as moving it forward to the Victorian era.Mr Bennet is played by Edmund Gwenn who is more knowing and wants his daughters to marry for love rather than status.The central plot is that of Elizabeth Bennet (Greer Garson) and Mr Darcy (Laurence Oliver.) Darcy is haughty, wealthy and proud. Elizabeth is a proto feminist, more intelligent and prejudiced in her views of Darcy but develops feelings for him.Even though the plot is shortened the machinations of the various love tangles does begin to drag before the film neatly concludes. Good performances from Olivier and Garson as the main suitors who fall each other.

This 1940 film is not my favourite Pride and Prejudice, that's the 1980 and 1995 mini-series. However, I do consider it a good movie on its own terms(as an adaptation it is one of the least faithful adaptations of the story out there), though the costumes made my eyes hurt(very like Gone With the Wind meets the Victorian era) and the film is very rushed consequently the characters are not as empathetic and fleshed out in personality as in the timeless story. The script is on the whole witty and moving, but there are some noticeable(and quite distracting) anachronisms. However, the cinematography is truly lovely as is the scenery, and the music is of sweeping romanticism. Greer Garson is a beautiful and spirited Elizabeth and Laurence Olivier is a dashing Darcy(though I much prefer his Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights, he positively smolders in that). Their chemistry is enough to warm the heart. The support cast are even better though. Edmund Gwenn is a beautifully played and droll Mr Bennett and Mary Boland matches him perfectly as a sincere Mrs Bennett. Edna May Oliver is an outstanding Lady Catherine, Melville Cooper is an amusing Mr Collins and Frieda Inescourt is a splendidly withering Caroline Bingley. Maureen O'Sullivan is also good, though Jane was one of the characters who could have been fleshed out more. Overall though, I did enjoy it, I just don't consider it the ultimate Pride and Prejudice. 7/10 Bethany Cox