Pride and Prejudice (2005) leaves Netflix June 20

Jane Austen adaptations just keep on coming. The 2020s have seen a glut of new versions, with new Emma and Persuasion films. Next up is a Sense and Sensibility film (this time starring Normal People’s Daisy Edgar-Jones), plus a fresh take on Austen’s most famous and beloved tale. Netflix’s highly anticipated Pride and Prejudice show is set to drop this autumn. Good or bad, the six-part programme is guaranteed to draw comparisons to its most recent and much-loved predecessor — Joe Wright’s breathtaking Pride and

Prejudice film hailing from 2005. Austen’s novels are continually being reimagined, but this version stands out for its sheer beauty and romantic tension between Keira Knightly’s Elizabeth and Matthew Macfayden’s Mr Darcy. Whilst it’s currently available to watch on Netflix, a heads-up to subscribers: the period drama is departing the platform on June 20. Whilst the BBC miniseries set the standard, the 2005 film is a masterpiece in its own right, argue its legion of fans. As one viewer put it: “The show is obviously

the more complete adaptation but the movie dials all the aesthetic and emotional elements up to 11 and that’s completely okay lol.” On Rotten Tomatoes, it boasts an impressive 87% approval rating from critics, where it’s a bit more love from audiences with a 90% score. The site’s critics consensus reads: “Sure, it’s another adaptation of cinema’s fave Jane Austen novel, but key performances and a modern filmmaking sensibility make this familiar period piece fresh and enjoyable.” It carved out a spot in the British

Film Institute (BFI)’s top 10 list of best Austen adaptations. It “regenerated the appeal of Austen for the 21st century”, explained the BFI: “The greatest assets of this adaptation over the 1995 version are in its production, especially the sun-dappled cinematography of Roman Osin and the luscious score by Dario Marianelli featuring Jean-Yves Thibaudet on piano.” The picture was an awards season favourite, with nominations at the Oscars, BAFTAs, and the Golden Globe. Wright, then a first-time director, won a BAFTA for Most Promising Newcomer.

Audience reviews Though it’s been two decades, fans remain captivated with it. One viewer proclaimed: “Everything about this movie is perfect. “The soundtrack and cinematography are truly incredible and I will always say that this is my favourite adaption of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. It has also been my comfort movie for the last 10 years of life.” Another said: “Amazing, this is a movie I could rewatch over a million times and never get sick of it. I will always claim this movie

as my favourite till the day I die, but this is the best period piece movie ever.” A second viewer added: “I’ve always said the BBC version gets the story right and the 2005 version gets the feeling right. Love them both for very different reasons.” “I think one of the things the 2005 film does better is that it’s more accessible to an audience that isn’t already a fan of the story. You’re investing less than two hours vs. six for the BBC series.

You don’t have to work as hard to understand the language in the 2005 version because it has been a little bit more modernised.” Where to watch Pride and Prejudice Pride and Prejudice (2005) is currently streaming on Netflix UK until June 20. The BBC’s 1995 miniseries is available to watch for free on iPlayer. Netflix’s upcoming Pride and Prejudice television series is due to land sometime this autumn.

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