BBC drama Death Comes to Pemberley

It is the eve of the Darcys’ annual ball at Pemberley. Darcy and Elizabeth are relaxing with their guests after supper when the festivities are brought to an abrupt halt. A scream calls them to the window and a hysterical Lydia Bennet tumbles out of a carriage screaming murder. What follows is the sombre discovery of a dead man in Pemberley woods and a brother accused of murder. BBC’s new drama based on P.D. James’ follow-up to “Pride and Prejudice - Amazon

Before I start I feel I need to set the stage so to speak. I have never read the novel, Death comes to Pemberley and Downtown were going to be my T.V. Christmas highlights and after enduring nearly a year of my Austen obsessed madness; as a result of joining the Austenprose Bicentenary reading challenge, my children and husband were going to see what the hype was about!

Half an hour into the first episode and their attention was gone, with Ipads and phones at the ready I could hardly say I blamed them, the English press had said it was 'dreary' and they weren't far off. My embarrassment was most acute indeed!! It certainly did not help in making my obsession valid!! Not that I needed anyone's opinion on the matter, but my kids were going to finally engage in my passion and see what has drawn me like a moth to a flame for nearly a year. It did not reflect the pure genius that is Austen, (not that this was Austen's work), but my kids weren't going to make that distinction!!!



Elizabeth

After swallowing my pride I continued to watch, my premise being anything Elizabeth and Darcy and I am there!!!!
I must say the characters were cast really well, albeit Elizabeth!! My husband  repeated throughout, much to my annoyance "I don't know why they chose her to play Elizabeth". After a while I'm pretty sure it was to wind me up and my Christmas spirit began to edge towards vexation! It wasn't like I hadn't asked myself that very same question!!!!
Heaven forbid, was Mr Darcy's famous "she's tolerable I suppose" beginning to have some merit!! I do not mean to be ungenerous but this Elizabeth did not seem like the lively witty Elizabeth I have come to know and love, were they were trying to pull the wool over my eyes?

Tom & Emilia

Colonel Fitzwilliam was played by one of my favourite actors Tom Ward, who stars in a British drama called Silent Witness alongside Emilia Fox , many of you will know her as Georgiana in the 1995 P&P and the voice for the Naxos Audiobook, I apologise, for I have digressed. Tom's acting was great but I was disappointed to find a less than jovial Colonel!! I suppose the book had written him that way, although I cannot be sure. I can only assume that because his brother had died and he was now to inherit the Matlock estate his priorities had changed, he had become Darcy's twin!!

Georgiana was delightful as always. In one of the scenes, she must tell her love interest that he is not to call anymore. Once he leaves, the utter despair she portrays was pure brilliance and the setting itself was a real eye opener to living with servants privy to so much. Crying her eyes out while two footman stand at their posts devoid of any emotion; personally I would want to go off somewhere to cry in private, but I suppose when you have grown up in such circumstances it must be natural. Similar to those reality shows where you think "surely they must realise the camera's are on". Maybe her despair was so acute she did not care, whatever the reason I loved the scene.



Georgiana

Lydia was great, not whiney just void of any propriety, Wickham too, was played well, not to mention quite handsome. Mr Bennet, oh how I love him and the humour that surrounds Mrs Bennet is always funny. In one of the scenes the doctor is at the door about to leave, he is telling Darcy that after administering some calming draughts Mrs Bennet seems much better, they are then interrupted by Mrs Bennet's shrill voice radiating from upstairs, the doctor rolls his eyes, discards his coat and heads towards the stairs, hilarious!!!

Wickham

Matthew Rhys from US drama Brothers and Sisters actually portrayed  Darcy quite well (although it would have been nice if he was taller). What I love is when Darcy, after Six years of marriage is still portrayed much the same as he has always been. While Elizabeth is meant to have a influence on him, I believe it is her that brings the liveliness to the marriage. Inevitably I think he would change slightly but not dramatically. Some lovely flash backs which included Hunsford added to the story and also aided viewers who are ignorant to Elizabeth and Darcy's history. Although I do not think Anna Maxwell Martin was right for the role of Elizabeth, the distance that started to occur between Darcy and herself were portrayed to great effect. When Elizabeth spoke of her fears with Jane, that she felt Darcy was coming to regret their marriage I was truly convince and Anna won me over. As Darcy seemed to  become distant towards Elizabeth as the strain of the situation came between them, it was the added scenes which showed him watching her or stroking her cheek while she slept, that made this the Darcy we all love.

Darcy! who else

"Dreary" the press may have called it, but without reading the book I can only assume it was the book not the drama. To have three hours of viewing time without the greatness of the book shining through can only lead me to the conclusion the book was not great, but I fear such an assumption is unfounded as I have not read the book, therefore maybe the book did not have enough worthy content to justify three hours. I feel that there are many P&P fanfiction books out there (hint hint) that would have made for a better drama.

I will conclude that even though my hubby's comments jarred me, I had to agree this was not my favourite Elizabeth even if she was portraying a now older Elizabeth. The story seemed to drag on with not much to keep you gripped except the desire to know, just who killed Denny if it was not Wickham!

Overall I could not complain, the casting of the characters, the scenes between Elizabeth and Darcy and costumes to die for, kept me were I needed to be, in front of the T.V.

When Lydia runs outside to see her 'dear Wickham' being taken away, she seems to be in her nightgown and robe, whatever they were, they were absolutely gorgeous and I would love to get my hands on them!!!!!!!
Finally let us not forget the stunning Chatsworth House and it's beautiful grounds!

Death comes to Pemberley is out on DVD on the 10TH FEBRUARY!!

Will I get a copy? My first thoughts were no, but this is ELIZABETH AND DARCY!!! So my answer will undoubtedly have to be, YES Please!

I would love to hear any comments you have on the drama or the novel.

Pride and Prejudice BBC mini Series 1995

This review is bias as I cannot help praising a masterpiece!! My thoughts are written in a bullet point style.

I love the house it is so elegant, with lovely furniture and ornaments. Mrs Bennet's hat and pelisse for church is gorgeous.

I love the little details like the torch runners in front of the carriage, the facial expressions at the assembly and the drunk man outside falling into the trough.

When Elizabeth lands in the mud on her way to Netherfiled. When Elizabeth's mother visits Netherfield and Elizabeth sighs and closes her eyes, too funny.

Mr Collins shoving people out of the way when Lady Catherine is leaving the church at Hunsford.

Elizabeth holding her laughter at the table when Mr Collins visits, at one point she has to put her spoon full of soup down less she choke on it!

At the ball when Mrs Bennet is talking about the fact that Bingley was there first, the look on Bingley's face when he turns around is priceless!!

When Charlotte asks Elizabeth to visit and write, she seems as if she is going to cry, probably the thought of being isolated with Mr Collins in Kent.

Elizabeth rolling her eyes at the piano when lady Catherine is speaking.

I never looked at it before but when Mr Darcy visits Elizabeth at the parsonage before proposing, I thought that each time he was going, it was to propose but was nervous; but I think he was practicing what Elizabeth had advised him about conversing with people.

THE PROPOSAL

Darcy's pacing is excellent you can feel the tension, his build up as he tries desperately to summon some courage, you really see his vulnerability. Mr Darcy almost looks like he is going to cry when Elizabeth refuses him and he walks over to the mantel piece. Elizabeth is very calm, wow. When Mr Darcy hears about Wickham you can really hear the sarcasm. His manner and his remarks when referring to Elizabeth's family is like he is getting his own back on her for refusing him. I am sure he knew it would hurt. When I first watched this I thought Elizabeth was venomous in her speech portraying angry cutting remarks, but after I saw it a few times I thought she was very assertive, direct and did not mince her words, it had to be said!

Mr Collins's little wave to Charlotte when Elizabeth is leaving Hunford, I was crying with laughter!!

When Elizabeth first sees Pemberley her reaction is great. Mrs Reynolds is lovely. I love the fencing scene as it adds to his masculinity. THE POND SCENE I do not like, but the consequences of it I love. The fact that Darcy is not formally attired enhances to his and Elizabeth's embarrassment, not to mention it adds to his humility. The wet curls on his forehead gorgeous!!!!

I Love the bit when he says her opinion is worth the earning, his facial expressions are great. When he is watching her in the carriage when she leaves Pemberley and she looks back.

The Piano scene at Pemberley has to be one of my favorite scenes (even though it is not in the book.) His slight smile and their look of mutual understanding when Elizabeth goes to turn the pages for Georgiana after Miss Bingley attempts to talk about Wickham.

Miss Bingley's face when Darcy says Elizabeth is one of the most beautiful women of his acquaintance.

How Darcy holds her hand at the inn when she receives the news from Jane, oh swoon so sweet!

When Darcy is in deep thought and Miss Bingley says "I hope you are not pinning over the loss of Elizabeth Bennet" and he abruptly says "what" the look on Miss Bingley's face is Capital !!!

When Mr Collins visits the parsonage and Kitty says "I'm not going to sit with him for anyone" and runs off. Later you see her peering into the window while her sisters are sitting with Mr Collins, hilarious.

Mrs Phillips talk with Mrs Bennet about the rumors in Meryton of Mr Wickham, so funny.

The scene where we see what Darcy is doing to recover Lydia, him rapping on the door with his cane.

Lydia is so rude when she tells Jane she must go first because she is married.

THE SECOND PRPOSAL  The tension while Elizabeth and Darcy walk and when Kitty finally says can she go and see Maria, you know it's coming! Elizabeth's embarrassment as she thanks him and his declaration of not trifling with him as his affections and wishes have not changed was said so quickly, it must have been so hard for him. I have not much to say except who could not love that scene.

When Mrs Bennet is trying to get Jane and Bingley on their own and she says "wink at you pray what a notion why would I be winking at my own daughter" lol

Lady Catherine's set down was a powerful scene indeed..

Finally the kiss in the carriage with the snow falling!!! 

Pride & Prejudice 2005 at Chatsworth house

After spending the day at Chatsworth House we thought it would be fitting to end the evening watching the Kiera Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen Pride & Prejudice, since the Pemberly scenes were filmed there. To celebrate the bicentenary of the Publication of Pride & Prejudice Chatsworth house had a small exhibition. There are two copies of the first edition of Pride and Prejudice in Chatsworth's library, each consisting of three volumes and they had some of them on display. They also had the bust of Mr Darcy (Macfadyen) and the woman with the veil over her face that were in the sculpture gallery. Screen shots and comments from the staff at Chatsworth at the time of filming. Plus many interesting facts including the 6th Duke who had similarities to Darcy.


"The 6th Duke met Eliza Warwick in 1827. Her relations were as unappealing to him as Elizabeth Bennet's to Darcy. Although the duke's sisters, Georgiana and Harriet, were told of her, Clifford is the only sibling known to have met her. Elizabeth remained the Duke's mistress for 10 years until he converted to Evangelicalism and gave her up."

Portrait of a young lady (possibly Elizabeth Warwick) Watercolour by Francois Theodore Rochard (1798-1838)

The Pride and Prejudice movie. This is my least favorite of the three I have seen (1980, 1995 & 2005) as it diverts from the original story!!!!

But there are many things that I do like......

1.  The entrance at the Meryton ball when everyone stops dancing to highlight just how important the Bingleys and Darcy are.
2. When Darcy does a double take when he first sees Elizabeth. 

3. I like the fact that Miss Bingley is sophisticated and classy this makes the fact that Darcy is not interested in her hold more weight.
4. Jane is pretty, whereas in the 1995 I thought Elizabeth was the most pretty out of the two.

5. When Darcy hands Elizabeth into the carriage when leaving Netherfield, he stretches his fingers as he walks away as if he felt some connection, a spark or tingling sensation.
6. The dance at the Netherfield ball, towards the end of the dance it is filmed with just the two of them alone and the intensity is great and when Mr Bingley touches the back of Jane's dress.

7. The proposal! Darcy comes across almost shy (although this is not Austen's Darcy in my opinion) hesitating with his words, which I found most endearing. At the end of the proposal when they come quite close and it looks like they are going to kiss.

8. Elizabeth standing in front of the mirror, it looks like she has stood there all day giving the impression of her being in deep contemplation of all Darcy had said in his proposal.
9. When Darcy runs after Elizabeth after spotting her at Pemberley.

10. Darcy standing up every time Elizabeth walks in to the room at the inn when she is reading her letter from Jane.

11. The US ending with them on the terrace at Pemberley.

And there are many things that I do not like.....

1. In the annotated P&P by D.Shapard, he mentions that in Sense and Sensibility a mother is able to look after her three daughters, kept three servants and live comfortably on £500 a year and the Bennets had £2000. So why the hell Longbourn looked liked they were living in the mud and squalor of a pigs farm I do not know. Unless they were trying to highlight how beneath Elizabeth was to Darcy, then I think they got the point across; I was not sure if she was the daughter of a gentlemen or a farmer!
2. The ball at Meryton was a little crowded to say the least and Elizabeth was a little too forward in trying to make conversation with Darcy.
3. The clothes I did not like apart from the Netherfield ball, in general they looked like they had been flung on, certainly not a tailored fit and does no one do up their buttons!! Elizabeth in those dark colours and Matthew's Breeches at Rosings oh dear! Sorry maybe I am being too picky.
4. Elizabeth appears to walk back to the inn at Lambton after leaving Pemberley, I know she is an excellent walker but come on.
5. When Elizabeth reads her letter from Jane, I like the original because you wonder was he going to propose again, but having the aunt and uncle present spoilt that.
6. The last scene was lovely with the mist and morning dew, but please stick to the book! Matthew turning up like he had not dressed, I know he said he could not sleep but turning up chest exposed not a good look!

I will stop because there as there are many things I like and do not like; in general I suppose my gripe is I prefer it when they stick closely to the book. But how can you not like anything Pride & Prejudice. This version has a lot of funny bits and I do like many of the mannerisms and actors. If you do not have time to watch the 1980 or 1995 versions then this is a short and sweet happy alternative. Lastly I do love Macfadyen as Darcy but he is just not haughty enough!

Pride & Prejudice Theatre production at Chatsworth House

                    Pride & Prejudice at Chatsworth House 

My sister in law and I, along with my two daughters went to watch Chapterhouse Theatre Company perform Pride and Prejudice at Chatsworth House. This is Chapterhouse's 14th year of touring open air theatre at some of the most beautiful houses, castles and heritage sites across the UK and Ireland. With performances such as Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night and Austen's Sense and Sensibility.

When we arrived we had to park in the overflow car park which was overflowing in every sense of the word! We stepped out of the car among sheep and had to tip toe through a minefield of sheep excrement! It was funny but not! Including the fact that we had both left our cameras and had to make do with our phones!

The performance started at 7.30pm and upon entering the garden we were in awe of the beautiful sight before us. The stage backed onto Chatsworth house with the scenic view of the hills in the background. The theatre was at the bottom of the hill, which meant the audience could view the performance from any angle without an unrestricted view. 

The performance was by no means capital but it was still enjoyable and I would not have missed it for the world, hey it's Pride and Prejudice! The actor who played Darcy seemed to be copying David Rintoul (1980), but it was over the top in a theatrical kind of way. Elizabeth imitated and sounded like Jennifer Ehle (1995), which isn't a bad thing. Mr Bennet imitated Moray Watson (1980) and played the part very well. Mrs Bennet was hilarious, with the high toned voice of Priscilla Morgan (1980) and all the exaggeration of Alison Steadman (1995). Mr Collins had us all in stitches with his exaggerated low bow, with one leg extended out front. Besides the fact that the performances were lacking in what I imagine Austen's characterisations to be like, it did not detract from the overall enjoyment of the evening.

With hundreds of people in attendance, everyone stayed silent throughout the performance ( bar a champagne cork that flew 4 foot in the air and showered the people beneath to everyone's amusement). It was great to see so many people showing respect for the actors that were there to entertain us all. Respect and commendation must be given to them for the hard work and dedication required to remember their lines without mistakes.

After the interval the sun started to set and Chatsworth house was lit. It was a spectacular sight to behold, the hills, the greenery and  the stage.  Hundreds of people gathered in one place with a common interest, laughing in unison at the witty humour of Austen! The performance ended at around 11pm and everyone left in high spirits. We were then faced with the daunting task of navigating through the minefield of sheep s**t in the dark! It was truly a magical evening and one that  I will cherish. My sister and I could not help but wonder what Jane would have thought, but we are sure she would have been happy with the Legacy that is Austen!

I will leave you with another clip, if you turn up the volume you will hear part of the proposal, but please excuse the quality (no camera! argh) and also my daughter speaking towards the end!!!( Originally I had not planned to take her as she is only three and the performance was late, but as we got in the car and saw her little face, we could not leave without her!)

Pride and Prejudice 1980's mini series

Okay so another addition to my original list for the challenge 

The most striking thing about this version is the characters portrayal of Regency era ladies and gents, especially Lydia and the other sisters unlike in 1995 version where I kept thinking you’re supposed to be daughters of a gentlemen. In this version they behaved closer to the way Austen portrayed them. Loved the costumes (I know it’s silly but Elizabeth’s ringlets could have been better done they had no conviction sorry I used to be a hairdresser can’t help it). I  loved the letter scene, Mr Darcy's voice wow! The way he reads it alongside the visual of him walking away is brilliant. I will also agree that this Mr Collins is the best so far. Mr Wickham was also not as smug as the 1995 Wickham, all innocence and innuendos. Mrs Bennett's voice was going through me at first but I suppose it added to how annoying she can be.

Now unfortunately the negatives if you can call them that, I wish that others hadn't spoken lines which weren't there own. I loved the proposal but it would have been better if Darcy showed he was a little shocked when Elizabeth first said no, he didn't show any emotion until towards the end, when you could see her words had really effected him. Elizabeth is a little too composed, when she first sees Darcy at Pemberly, I would have liked to have seen more discomposure, she looked him dead in the eye whereas in the book she could scarcely meet his eye. I felt in general the vital scenes, Netherfield drawing room and ball, the proposal, Pemberly and the end were all too short. The drawing room scenes were squashed together, I suppose 5 hours was not enough for me! I felt that because Pemberly was cut short I didn't get the full essence of Darcy's amiable Character. At first I thought it was because I was comparing him to Firth who portrays a definite change. But no, it is little things like the fact he didn't ask to be introduced to the Gardiners, not seeing the scene at the inn as it should have been, Bingley coming , her speaking to Miss Darcy and the Gardiners witnessing Mr Darcy's regard for their niece. Finally her running from the inn to Pemberly spoils it for me, in the original he goes to her which is further proof he still loves her and is making the effort to seek her out. But this way made her look ridiculous running into his room and crying all over the sofa, I thought Elizabeth please now you do look wild!

Anyway apart from that I really enjoyed it and the bits where you could hear Elizabeth’s thoughts were great and were an added bonus. Mr Darcy’s portrait had a bigger impact on me than in 1995 version, I actual felt the words  "she thought of his regard with a deeper sentiment of gratitude than it had ever raised before; she remembered its warmth, and softened its impropriety of expression" as they were intended. Finally I did laugh throughout  if you can laugh Austen’s wit and humor has been portrayed well, Mrs Bennett trying to get the girls out of the room so Bingley and Jane could be alone was hilarious. My conclusion at the moment is that this will have to be my favorite now over the 1995 version as it is the closet adaptation. I do a agree another is over due!