3W4D - One Film: It is a truth universally acknowledged... Edition

[scifirenegade]

Gotten around to it, finally. The 1940 film with Greer Garson and Lawrence Olivier.

It's very different from the back (based on play apparently, maybe that's where all the changes are from), everyone is dressed in Gone With the Wind's hand-me-downs and there's copious amounts of exposition (which is normal). But it's a charming little thing.

I really liked the super-epic carriage race at the beginning, the archery scene (wut; also, isn't there an Emma adaptation with archery? If so, did they get it from here?), and my favourite scene: Elizabeth playing at Lady Catherine de Bourgh (esteemed patroness) and Darcy is all heart eyes (he's quite affectionate towards her after the "she's torable" bit), and their exchange is GOLD! His face!

(Noticed that on all P&P adaptations I've seen, my favourite scenes all take place at Rosings. Hmm...)

Comments

[thisbluespirit]

Aw, so glad you enjoyed it! I just had a rewatch and was glad to find it still as charming as I remembered from a few years ago. Not faithful, but as long as you know that, it's such a good time, and Edmund Gwenn is my only rival as Mr Bennet to Benjamin Whitrow.

the archery scene (wut; also, isn't there an Emma adaptation with archery? If so, did they get it from here?),

Yes, it's the 1996, and I think that they must have done. I know Jeremy Northam said in an interview that it was also based on a 1930s/40s Hollywood screwball vibe, and if that's so, it seems pretty likely it must have been a deliberate nod to the only Austen adaptation made in that era.

Anyway, both archery scenes are fun additions, so I'm 2/2 for on liking added archery. XD

Btw, in your P&P remix voyages, have you watched Lost In Austen? It's fun and there are a lot of actors you'll recognise in it - if you haven't already seen it, I expect you'd enjoy it.

[scifirenegade]

Yep! It was very charming! I also really liked this Mr. Bennet.

I think that they must have done. [...] it must have been a deliberate nod to the only Austen adaptation made in that era.

This makes a lot a sense. (Haven't seen that Emma adaptation though, but if the archery scene is fun 👀)

Never heard of Lost in Austen, but I for sure know who Mrs. Bennet is lol. Will check it out, thank you!

[thisbluespirit]

Never heard of Lost in Austen, but I for sure know who Mrs. Bennet is lol. Will check it out, thank you!

Hee, have fun!

ETA: I'm glad you liked Edmund Gwenn, he's been great in everything I've seen him in, even in slight supporting roles. If you'd like to see more of him, and a good UK 1930s film, too, incidentally, Laburnum Grove (1936) is a fun adaptation of a J. B. Priestley play. I think you'd probably like it, if you want to add it to the never-ending list, but Gwenn has the pivotal role, anyway.

[scifirenegade]

*sigh* *adds film to list lol*

[shivver]

Aww, I have not seen that movie in probably three decades! It was one of those movies that llittle-kid!me used to jump on any time it appeared on TV, because yes, it's just so fun and charming. I especially loved the portrayal of Lady Catherine and the twist at the end with her character.

Glad you enjoyed it!

(Have you seen Stella Dallas? It's another movie that I loved as a kid that you might like. I haven't seen it in even longer, so I don't know if it really holds up anymore.)

[scifirenegade]

:D

I was howling at that last Lady Catherine scene! (Didn't see it coming, also Darcy, you dork)

1937's Stella Dallas? Or the one from 1925? Haven't seen any, but the 1925 one is on my to-watch list.