“Pride and Prejudice,” written by the Regency-era novelist Jane Austen, has been a beloved classic for over 200 years. Considering the book’s popularity, it’s no surprise many adaptations of the story have been produced, including a Netflix miniseries set to be released in the coming months.

Beloved author and creative mind Dolly Alderton, known for her award-winning memoir “Everything I Know About Love,” is part of the project’s impressive executive producer lineup. Fans of the British classic are eagerly anticipating a new take on Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s swoon-worthy love story.

In celebration of the beloved 2005 movie adaptation turning 20 years old, and in light of the upcoming Netflix miniseries, I’ll be giving my thoughts on the three most beloved adaptations– resulting in about 13 total hours of viewing “Pride and Prejudice. 

 1980 miniseries

The 1980 television adaptation stars Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul as the titular Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. It includes plenty of content from the book, as it’s by no means short. The miniseries has five, one-hour episodes. If you’re a purist for the book, you’ll enjoy all the scenes and lines that might’ve been left out from other adaptations.

Garvie’s portrayal of Elizabeth has all the wit, charm and warmth you might hope for, while Rintoul portrays Darcy as very cool and distant. You do hear many voiceover lines and, as it’s a TV show from the 1980s, it doesn’t have the best lighting. However, the hair, costumes and acting are brilliant. The show is something to make time for, considering its length, but if you’re looking for a faithful adaptation, it’s well worth watching. It is streaming for free on Tubi.

Most likely the second most well-known adaptation of Austen’s novel, the 1995 miniseries stars Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth as Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. This version is another one you need to set time aside for, as it’s 6 episodes, about an hour each. It seems to be known for the iconic scene of Mr. Darcy swimming in a lake (Episode 4, by the way), but the series has much more to offer than just that.

The show is the longest of the three versions I watched, and there are no rushing scenes, meaning you get to see the book portrayed in chronological order. The costumes and hair are period-appropriate, which I appreciate, and the scenery, lighting and cinematography are all beautiful. While some people are not fans of diversions made from the book, I enjoy the more fleshed-out characters. If you’re okay with strapping in for a six-hour miniseries, you can find this version on Tubi as well. 

2005 film

Finally, we’ve reached the most loved, well-known and recent adaptation of Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” That is, excluding the 2016 movie “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” because that’s a whole different story. The 2005 movie, starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen as Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, is THE “Pride and Prejudice” adaptation for many people, and I understand why. It’s beautifully shot, incredibly acted, has a magnificent score and is only two hours long, making it much easier to watch regularly. While some viewers don’t like its straying from historical accuracy or cutting and rushing moments to keep the film short, I enjoyed key elements being there at a slightly faster pace.

If you’re just getting into Austen or “Pride and Prejudice,” this is a good version to start with. You can buy or rent it on Amazon Prime Video. 

Conclusion

In short, the adaptation most accurate to the book is the 1980 miniseries. For a more fleshed-out Mr. Darcy and slower pacing, watch the 1995 miniseries. Finally, for a more romantic, shorter adaptation, watch the 2005 movie. Meanwhile, while we wait for the new adaptation, happy 20th anniversary to the 2005 movie!