Two endings for P&P3?
Paul from KeiraWeb.com wrote to tell us that Richard Brooks wrote a small article in yesterday’s Sunday Times about P&P3. The article mentioned screenwriter Deborah Moggach’s cancelled cameo, about which we posted (and snarked) previously.
Some disappointment, though, for its screenwriter, Deborah Moggach, who is best known for novels such as Tulip Fever and various television dramas. Moggach wrote herself a little cameo as a wench in a pub. Typecasting? Of course not.
Then the movie-makers brought in Emma Thompson to give the script a tiny bit of polishing, presumably on the grounds that she had won an Oscar for her screenplay of Sense and Sensibility. Thompson decided the pub scene should be dropped. So Moggach’s little moment of screen fame had gone.
A wench in a pub, eh? So not a fine lady discreetly enjoying a glass of wine in a genteel establishment, then? We shall spare our readership our triumphant expressions of smug superiority, and like Henry Tilney, bid you use your own fancy to imagine them. 
The article also mentioned that two different endings have been tested in preview screenings of the film–which is, after all, what preview screenings are for. (The following might be considered a spoiler for the film, so don’t click if you don’t want to know. But haven’t we all read the book? Of course we have.)
There is also some uncertainty over which ending to use. Two have been tried out in previews. Thompson’s has Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley) and Mr Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen) on a balcony after their nuptials; Moggach’s has Mr Bennet (Donald Sutherland) asking for any other suitors for his remaining unmarried daughters. Who will win out?
Paul wrote, “The person who emailed me was an extra at Stamford (Meryton village scenes, Burghley House as Rosings) and she said the recent preview in nearby Peterborough for all the extras had the second (Sutherland) ending. No doubt the DVD will have both.”
No doubt. If our vote has any weight with the filmmakers (which is highly doubtful), we would prefer Mr. Bennet snark at any time, even to mushy snogging scenes.
We seem to recall that the screening in Hamburg had the snogging. Are our German readers present to confirm or deny?
In other news, the New York Daily News says that Rosamund Pike “outshines” Keira Knightley, which is pretty much as it should be (Jane IS the prettiest Bennet girl, after all).
And finally, Hollywood News compares Darcys en déshabille.
August 23rd, 2005 at 1:00 am
So they would end before the wedding? That makes no sense.
I like Thompson’s ending better.
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:43 am
I like Thompson’s ending better as well. The book ends with Darcy and Elizabeth happily married living at Pemberley. It would be fun to see their first conversation after becoming man and wife.
August 23rd, 2005 at 6:59 am
Yes, we’re here! We are too curious, so one of us is always here peeking!
So… Spoiler..
We had the Donald Sutherland Ending. No Snogging, just him making his remark about other suitors.
I found this ending very funny, because before that, Lizzy told her father about her love to Darcy and why she wants to marry him now and he’s a little bit sad to lose his favorite daughter.
Well, I admit, I like snogging-filled endings, but this one suited there as well.
But if they change it to a after-wedding-ending, I wouldn’t dislike it!
August 23rd, 2005 at 8:06 am
I am wondering why they cant have BOTH endings. I mean the Snarky ending would be fun but so would the ending of the Darcy’s at Pemberley. I don’t know I guess they know what they are doing. Perhaps they can do some clever editing that allows us to have a bit of both endings.
~R
August 23rd, 2005 at 10:11 am
They HAVE to use Thompsons ending. It would actually do what the book does-end when Lizzie and Darcy are happily married at Pemberley. Why would anyone WANT to NOT have Thompson’s ending? Well, at least it’ll be on the DVD.
I dont think they could leave the wedding out, could they? It is a big part of the book…plus I’d get annoyed if they took it out.
August 23rd, 2005 at 10:54 am
All right, so now I have read the rest of the news, in particular the article on the Mr.Darcys. Very interesting-I quite like how they have gotten Macfadyen in what looks like a semi-wet shirt as well.
Hhhhmmm…and the author talks of him surpassing Firth? I dont know, I dont know. I definately think he could do as well as CF…I need to see the movie before I say anything else.
August 23rd, 2005 at 11:02 am
The Sutherlandish ending has been used before. P&P1 has the exact same ending with Pa Bennet saying: “If any young men should come for Mary or Kitty, send them in for I am quite at leisure.”
Personally, it doesn’t matter to me which ending they use.
August 23rd, 2005 at 11:20 am
Hopefully someone from Finland, Austria, or Hungary can let us know. The film was released on August 22nd in those countries. I also would like an ending where Lizzy and Darcy are married so that it is in keeping with the ending of the book.
I purchased the script from Script City before it was taken from their website because of copywrite infringements (or something like that), and the ending was even different than either of the conclusions that have been previously mentioned. Even so, in the script Darcy and Lizzy were married and much of their conversation was taken directly from the the novel. I really was partial to that ending. And there was “snogging”, if snogging means kissing. Is that what it means? Is it a British colloquialism?
August 23rd, 2005 at 11:56 am
And there was “snogging”, if snogging means kissing. Is that what it means? Is it a British colloquialism?
Yes, and yes.
August 23rd, 2005 at 2:06 pm
I’m definitely a vote for the Thompson ending. Apart from the fact that I’m a HUGE fan and trust her implicitly, I’ve always wanted to see more of the Elizabeth / Darcy relationship after some of the angst had passed. Especially the “why did you not talk to me more” “a man who felt less might…” “how unfortunate you should have a reasonable answer to give..” conversation. Oohh, I’ve always wanted to see a good version of that scene…
August 23rd, 2005 at 3:44 pm
I like Mr. Bennet’s line about sending in any other suitors, but i think you have to end after or during the wedding. They could still have Mr. Bennet’s line in there. I TOTALLY agree with you Sophia J. I really want to see a version with that scene in it! I so hope they’ll add SOME snogging! Like, HELLO! There wasn’t any snogging in Bride and Prejudice either. Me and my friend were mad. What’s a good romance with at least one kiss!
August 23rd, 2005 at 4:30 pm
Gotta have the snogging! This beautiful story would not be complete without any snogging…
August 23rd, 2005 at 5:05 pm
Darcy and Elizabeth are one of the most passionate couples, with all this romantic tension building up between them. There has to be at least one good kiss, all we got in the 95 version was a peck before it freeze frame and cut to credits.
And who said they can’t have both endings. It would feel like a let down, not to have a scene after they become Mr. and Mrs. Darcy.
Also it would be closest to the book ending.
August 23rd, 2005 at 7:43 pm
I also read the transcript that was on ScriptCity, and I really hope that they stick with Thompson’s ending. The Pemberley scenes after the wedding sounded lovely, and I’d hate to wait until the DVD comes out to see them. Besides, what is Pride & Prejudice with a wonderful kiss in the end?
Also, we’ve already seen the story end with Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth in P&P1, plus the ending in P&P0 was somewhat similar as well. Therefore, a little snogging is needed in this film.
August 23rd, 2005 at 9:31 pm
Must be Thompson’s ending. Who wants Mr. Bennet to be the last image in our heads as the credits roll? And yeah, that is how the 1940’s one ended. With Mr. Bennet, I mean. So why do it again?
August 24th, 2005 at 2:24 am
I’ve also read the transcript/working script from ScriptCity. I’d go for the snog!
August 24th, 2005 at 5:35 am
First of all, sorry for my English. I am from Spain and my English is not as fluent as it ought to be.
Now to the point. I have just found a new link related to P&P2 and 3, but especially dedicated to Mr. Darcy.
Below the link
http://darcy.aking-mahal.net/
It is not as good as this page, which I love it, but I hope you find it interesting.
August 24th, 2005 at 2:46 pm
Dorothy S. Says:
Hopefully someone from Finland, Austria, or Hungary can let us know. The film was released on August 22nd in those countries.
Hm, released in Austria on 22nd of August? Can’t believe it. I’m just back from Austria. And we have some Austrians in our board. And I’m very sure they would not be that shy and tell us nothing about their luck ;-). I’m very sure they would cry out loud.
And yes, we are her ;-). I love the Sutherland ending, it reminds me to P&P0. And, yes, they can do both.
August 25th, 2005 at 12:22 am
Whoops! I did receive the wrong information. Sorry about possibly getting everyone’s hopes up. I should have double checked. Austria’s opening is in October. Still, it is closer than November 18th.
September 4th, 2005 at 8:44 am
Just back from the preview - it had the Sutherland ending.
More of a report later - (Husband enjoyed it more than I did) - am off out right now, but thought I should check in with the news!