Pride and Prejudice

Critics Consensus

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.

86%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 174

89%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 459,166

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Movie Info

Jane Austen's perennially popular story of the game of love among the British upper classes returns to the screen in this polished film adaptation. The Bennets (Brenda Blethyn and Donald Sutherland) are the parents of five daughters near the close of the 18th century. Comfortable within their means but well short of rich, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are looking for suitable husbands for their girls, and they are encouraged to learn that an eligible young bachelor from a wealthy family, Charles Bingley (Simon Woods), has moved into a nearby estate. Eager to see if a match can be made, the Bennets bring their daughters Elizabeth (Keira Knightley) and Jane (Rosamund Pike) to a ball thrown by their new neighbor to see if sparks will fly. Jane seems to like Charles, and he appears to feel the same, but Elizabeth takes an immediate dislike to Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen), Charles' egocentric best friend. While Elizabeth is infatuated with military man Lt. Wickham (Rupert Friend) and finds herself courted by William Collins (Tom Hollander), a well-meaning but drab man of the cloth, fate causes Elizabeth and Darcy to frequently cross paths, and while they don't care for one another, they can't stop thinking about each other, either. Pride & Prejudice also stars Jena Malone, Judi Dench, and Penelope Wilton. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Cast

Keira Knightley
as Elizabeth Bennet
Matthew MacFadyen
as Mr. Darcy
Brenda Blethyn
as Mrs. Bennet
Donald Sutherland
as Mr. Bennet
Talulah Riley
as Mary Bennet
Rosamund Pike
as Jane Bennet
Jena Malone
as Lydia Bennet
Carey Mulligan
as Kitty Bennet
Tom Hollander
as Mr. Collins
Simon Woods
as Mr. Bingley
Peter Wight
as Mr. Gardiner
Judi Dench
as Lady Catherine de Bourg
Rupert Friend
as Lt. Wickham
Kelly Reilly
as Caroline Bingley
Penelope Wilton
as Mrs. Gardiner
Jay Simpson
as Meryton Milliner
Sylvester Morand
as Sir William Lucas
Sinead Matthews
as Betsy
Tamzin Merchant
as Georgiana Darcy
Claudie Blakley
as Charlotte Lucas
Roy Holder
as Mr. Hill
Rosamund Stephen
Cornelius Booth
as Col. Fitzwilliam
Janet Whiteside
as Mrs. Hill
Megan Owen
Samantha Bloom
Moya Brady
Pip Torrens
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Critic Reviews for Pride and Prejudice

All Critics (174) | Top Critics (43)

  • It's a fitfully engaging romance, it's just not Pride and Prejudice.

    Dec 17, 2005 | Rating: 1/4 | Full Review…

    Jonathan Rosenbaum

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • Keira's cat-smile suggests such supernal all-knowingness that, with Austen's adapted dialogue (via Deborah Moggach) tripping off her tongue, she comes off as an eighteenth-century Maureen Dowd.

    Dec 9, 2005

    Ken Tucker

    New York Magazine/Vulture
    Top Critic

  • Wright wastes no time in squeezing the plot into his just-over-two hours running time, but the film never feels rushed, particularly when so much of it is spent watching and waiting, as the characters come to understand the world they live in.

    Dec 6, 2005

    Keith Phipps

    AV Club
    Top Critic

  • Dare I say that even Jane Austen herself would have delighted in the final triumph of Ms. Knightley's quick-witted Elizabeth in this film? Yes, I do, and all the highbrow and middlebrow cinephobes of the world be damned.

    Nov 30, 2005 | Full Review…

    Andrew Sarris

    Observer
    Top Critic

  • I just feel like I've seen this so many times.

    Nov 14, 2005

    Richard Roeper

    Ebert & Roeper
    Top Critic

  • As historically authentic-looking as Pride & Prejudice is, it has far more invested in emotional authenticity -- you feel engaged every moment.

    Nov 11, 2005

    Stephanie Zacharek

    Salon.com
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (174)

Audience Reviews for Pride and Prejudice

  • Sep 01, 2012
    Before I gave this film a chance, I didn't bother to see it because I thought it was going to be boring, and it would be the same love story like your other average romantic film. After hearing all the good things about this film from people and critics alike, I had to see this for myself. When I did, I was wrong. Pride and Prejudice is a beautiful, crafted movie that lives up to its hype. When it comes to romantic movies, I tend to turn away from it because the majority of them are too cheesy and cliched, but I had an open-mind when I saw it. I felt relieved when I realized that this movie isn't one of them. This is a well-made romantic movie without being too cheesy. What I loved about this film is the production. The visuals looks crystal clear and real, like you are really in this movie. You will be thinking about travelling to England, someday. Not only that, it will make you think about going back to that time and see what it's like to be in that era. The music fits in this film perfectly as it progresses. The dialogue was well-written. They did a good job making this movie clean, without being too vulgar, and that's all I need in a PG film like this. The story was beautiful, and I enjoyed sitting through 2 hours of my life paying attention to what it had to offer. It may confuse you at first, but it's one of those movies where you have to pay close attention to everything to understand it. I wish I could go back in time and see this movie after it first came out. It was a good experience for me. The cast was well chosen, and they deliver everything here. Keira Knightley performance as Elizabeth was amazing. She has been a great British actress since Pirates of the Carabean. Matthew MacFadyen didn't brilliant too, although I've never seen him in any films besides Robin Hood (2010). The chemistry between him and Keira Knightley was perfect, which made look like they really love each other. Everyone else were great with their characters as well. Pride and Prejudice is one of those films where I can sit down and not worry about anything in this society. This is a romantic movie (along with The Graduate, Amelie, 500 days of Summer etc) that I can enjoy without being disappointed. This is one of those films where you can look at with your wife, your significant other,cor with any womon, just to remind her that true love really does exist. When she has bad days, this is a great movie to cheer her up. If you're looking for a well-made romantic movie, I recommend giving this a try.
    Giovanni C Super Reviewer
  • Feb 29, 2012
    This is one of the best adaptations of a Jane Austen novel, thanks in no small part to Academy Award nominated Keira Knightley. Pride & Prejudice has been adapted to film several time, but never as well as it is here. The cast is excellent and includes Keira Knightley, Donald Sutherland, Jena Malone, and Matthew Macfadyen. But, it's Knightley's stellar performance that carries this film and gives it its depth of soul. The film is beautifully shot with elegant costumes and wonderful landscapes. Additionally, Dario Marianelli has crafted an incredible score that's enchanting and immensely soulful. Pride & Prejudice is a wonderful film that captures the spirit of the Jane Austen novel.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Feb 24, 2012
    Sorry but you won't find me going too ga ga over the period pieces unless they really blow me away. How many times do you film this damn story before people get tired of it. No malice to the actors. They did their good job but we've seen this all before.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Dec 02, 2011
    Pride and Prejudice is one fo the most ineteresting films I have ever seen. The plot was beautiful and interesting. The cats was amazing and Keira Knightely was great. The production was one fo the best parts, it all looked so real, so much detail was put in, I loved it. This movie was tremendous, one of those films you should watch with your wife because you can keep her happy while watching a romance movie that is amazing.
    Bradley W Super Reviewer
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