Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice

1940
Movie
118 min
English

In early 19th century England, Mr and Mrs Bennet's five unmarried daughters vie for the affections of rich and eligible Mr Bingley and his status-conscious friend, Mr Darcy, who have moved into their neighbourhood. While Bingley takes an immediate liking to eldest daughter Jane, Darcy has difficulty adapting to local society and repeatedly clashes with second-eldest Elizabeth.

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Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes93%
Director: Robert Z. LeonardGenres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

In the English countryside during the Regency era, the spirited Elizabeth Bennet navigates societal expectations and her own prejudices when she meets the proud and wealthy Mr. Darcy. Their initial animosity, fueled by misunderstandings and class differences, slowly evolves as they are forced into each other's company. The film follows Elizabeth and Darcy's journey towards love, alongside the romantic entanglements of Elizabeth's four sisters.

Critical Reception

The 1940 adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice" was a critical success, praised for its witty dialogue, lavish production, and strong performances, particularly from its leads. It captured the spirit of Jane Austen's beloved novel while offering a lavish Hollywood sheen.

What Reviewers Say

  • Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson deliver iconic performances as Darcy and Elizabeth.
  • The film is celebrated for its faithful adaptation and witty, sharp dialogue.
  • Visually stunning with grand costumes and sets, it's a luxurious take on Austen's classic.

Google audience: Audience reception for this classic film adaptation is overwhelmingly positive, with viewers frequently praising the chemistry between the lead actors and the film's enduring charm and faithfulness to the source material.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for 4 Academy Awards, winning for Best Art Direction, Black-and-White.

Fun Fact

While Greer Garson was lauded for her performance, she was actually 33 years old when she played the mother of five daughters, the eldest of whom was played by 20-year-old Maureen O'Sullivan. Her own character, Mrs. Bennet, was portrayed as being over 40.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
Filipe Manuel Neto

Filipe Manuel Ne...

**A first adaptation of Jane Austen's greatest work, which is riddled with problems, but is competent, pragmatic and very elegant. Thought of as a comedy, it was thought of the wrong way.** At this point, I believe that even those who ha...
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Though doubtless the emphasis of this film must be on the two leading stars, I found that an huge degree of the richness of this Jane Austen story came from the wonderfully characterful supporting cast: Mary Boland as the mother, constantly...