Why You Need to Watch Pride & Prejudice (1940): Movie Review
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Pride & Prejudice (1940)
Runtime- 1hr 58min
Air date- July 26th, 1940
Director- Robert Z. Leonard
Writers- Aldous Huxley, Jane Murfin, and Jane Austen
Filming locations- California, USA
Where to watch- Rent/Buy on Amazon Prime Video
Starring Greer Garson as Elizabeth Bennet and Laurence Olivier as Mr. Darcy
This 1940 production of Pride and Prejudice gained such success that Jane Austen’s novel regained wild popularity, creating multiple editions and printings of the book. Despite the efforts to soften Jane Austen’s original satirical social commentary, as well as her main character. Elizabeth Bennet, it still held true with her work. With a focus on being a romantic comedy, the film held strong with the overall theme, with Elizabeth’s character shinning through.
Elizabeth Bennet
When I saw this adaptation I was initially impressed that a film in 1940 had a woman main character be so bold and independent in mind and spirit. I later found out that Greer Garson’s lines had been “softened” to make her seem more agreeable with society. With that being said, I only noticed it a bit when reflecting upon knowing this. Garson did an excellent job with what she had to work with to make Elizabeth stand on her own and stand up for herself when it came to social pressures and rude people “above her rank and status.”
My favorite and most surprising scene was the archery scene with Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.
In this scene Mr. Darcy explains or you could say “mansplains” to Elizabeth how to shoot a bow and arrow, right after he himself demonstrated and yet not performed well on the subject. Elizabeth took on the sport with great ease. Hitting not one, but three bullseyes in a row. In this scene, it looked very much like Elizabeth just then emasculated Mr. Darcy with very little effort. But Mr. Darcy was instead very charmed by her skills and he then humbled himself before her owning that he should be mindful before deciding to teach ladies archery.
(Credit: MGM)
Mr. Darcy
I liked this Mr. Darcy, and it was disappointing to find out how Laurence Olivier had quite a few reservations about the production. Even though he seemed a bit sour over the portrayal of the main characters, he did an excellent job creating a complex and charming Mr. Darcy.
Cold and reserved character in the beginning, and then a gradual, slight warmth and humility slipping through and scattered throughout the plot. The dynamic character makes it hard to not fall in love with him yourself.
Jane Bennet and Mr. Bingley
The two loveliest of characters, personally to me, I feel they are always the underrated characters in public opinion. Jane Bennet and Mr. Bingley are picture-perfect of manners and fondness expected of society. Perfect to a fault, which was done well in this Pride and Prejudice adaptation. Both actors Maureen O’Sullivan and Bruce Lester did wonderful jobs bringing these wholesome characters to life.
(Credit: MGM)
Some Differences…
There are quite a few differences in this adaptation versus the book as well as other period adaptations that do stick out like a sore thumb. Two of these differences that are prominent to me, I do find a bit charming.
The period and costumes are set in the Victorian Era, right after the Regency Era, and coincidently set place about 100 years before the film’s release year. I guess the consensus was to give the movie a more romantic feel and to do so use Victorian attire. It took me some getting used to, but it grew on me.
The second was a character change with Lady Catherine. Edna May Oliver did a great job creating the unbearable and particular Lady Catherine de Bourgh. But at the very end, a twist of her character came to light, her harsh criticism of Elizabeth was all a test of Lady Catherine to see how strongly Elizabeth was in love with Mr. Darcy. With Elizabeth unable to budge, Lady Catherine left in a “huff” but immediately went to Mr. Darcy to give her approval.
See Also:
BBC’s Pride & Prejudice (1980)
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