REVIEW: Pride & Prejudice: 10th Anniversary Limited Edition Collector’s DVD Set
Review by MJ Ryan
At first blush, the 10th Anniversary Pride and Prejudice DVD looks like a Janeite’s dream come true. Five hours of Elizabeth and Darcy, enhanced for high-definition, a bonus disc that includes brand new commentary from the actors that starred in the production, and the inclusion of The Making of Pride and Prejudice by Sue Birtwhistle and Suzie Conklin. All of this packaged in a nifty cloth covered, gold embossed slipcase. Lovely.
But, upon closer inspection I discover that this edition really has little to recommend itself. The companion book, while wonderful, was published 11 years ago. The Biography of Jane on the bonus DVD is shown regularly on A&E, at least when they’re feeling nostalgic for the good ole days when they had quality programming. The enhanced DVD was released in the 2001 special edition. Which means that the interviews with the cast and the walkabout with Lucy Briers (Mary Bennet) and Adrian Lucas (Wickham) as the only original features for this edition.
With all due respect to Lucy Briers and Adrian Lucas, who both seem like lovely, funny people, the walkabout was completely pointless. In fact, it was so lackluster that I can’t remember enough about it to criticize or praise. I do remember quite a few shots of their feet as they walked along. I’m by no means an expert on this type of thing but showing their feet seemed to be a bit desperate.
The star of the bonus DVD is the cast interviews. It was interesting to see the cast 10 years on and realize that famous people age just like you do! There were some interesing anecdotes and funny stories–most notably Crispin Bonham-Carter’s (Bingley) story about the marriage scene–but quite a few are also detailed in the companion book. As a result, there isn’t much new ground covered.
The biggest omission is the lack of commentary from Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. I have no idea why neither chose to participate, but serious consideration should have been given to shelving the entire anniversary edition when they didn’t. Without their inclusion, and the lack of more original features, the entire set impresses me as yet another attempt to cash in on Jane Austen’s name and the popularity of this particular Austen production.
Might I be so bold to offer some suggestions for the inevitable 15th Anniversary Edition? First, I think commentary from the director, producer, screenwriter, and various actors are a must. Surely Mr. Firth and Ms. Ehle can spare anhour to watch an episode of the mini and give us ridiculously rabid, adoring fans some behind the scenes tidbits. I remember listening to Emma Thompson’s Sense and Sensibility commentary and loving the insight she gave. Since that time I’ve made it a point to listen to commentary whenever it’s offered.
So, if the “Powers That Be” are listening, those are my two requests: interviews with the two stars (and Susanna Harker, please) and a commentary track. I’m sure the lovely readers of Austen Blog will respond with their suggestions also.
Interested in having a copy of your own? AustenBlog is having our very own giveaway! Look at the next post for more details!
October 26th, 2006 at 9:27 pm
How was the picture/color quality? I’ve heard that the DVD releases, in their attempts to “correct” the warm tones in the original, give the film a unnatural bluish tinge that requires much manipulating of one’s TV set to overcome. Has that been corrected in this release?
If not, I suppose I’m destined to keep lugging 6-tape box set from residence to residence, constantly worrying about its storage conditions, but seldom pulling it out to actually *watch* it! On the other hand, I watch “Bride & Prejudice” plenty because it’s a handy DVD to pop it for background music while washing dishes.
October 26th, 2006 at 10:25 pm
I didn’t notice a discernable difference in the picture quality between the version I had originally (2001 Special Edition) and the most recent version. But, it has never looked blue on my equipment.
If you don’t have a DVD version (and don’t have the companion book already on your bookshelf) then this would be a good buy. Who knows, maybe you’ll win it from AustenBlog!
Melissa
October 26th, 2006 at 10:29 pm
BTW, I just caught my mistake with Susanna Harker’s name. It will be fixed soon.
I’ll save Mags the trouble and hit myself with the Cluebat!
melissa
October 27th, 2006 at 9:27 am
My impression from what I’ve read is that Colin Firth is simply just not interested in P&P anymore. He even turned the “reins” over to Matthew MacFadyen when he became the next Darcy. I guess many of the actors have simply gone over to other things and wonder why they need to come back to something that they’ve done 10 years ago. I’ve noticed in many mini series done over the last 20-30 years, is where are these people now? Many of the lead actors/actresses have simply not done any more leading parts and I would guess it’s from choice.
October 27th, 2006 at 5:22 pm
JaneFan, you heard right. The “enhanced” version is actually worse than the first. By the way, it’s not enhanced for high definition (as in HDTV), merely remastered for anamorphic widescreen. Unfortunately, the transfer process degraded the quality of the image, as well as the color. The bluish shift is more like green, so the colors did not only become cooler, which you can easily compensate for on your set, they actually got “dirtier.”
As far as I can tell, the OAR (original aspect ratio) of the original was 1.66:1. When they produced the first DVD set, they chopped off the sides to fit the 4:3 apsect ratio. Now with the second reissue, the aspect ratio became 1.78:1, so the top and bottom edges of the original picture were cut off. The problem here is that they had to “zoom in” to fit the width of the wide screen, so about 448 horizontal lines of information had to be resampled to make 480, thus resulting in a fuzzier picture. How they screwed up the color, I can’t understand.
If none of this makes sense to you, let me put it simply. The first DVD release has the better image and colors than the “enhanced” or “special” editions. If you had the choice, I would recommend getting the original. Sure you lose some of the image on the sides. But with the later releases, you lose some of the image top and bottom, get a degraded picture and yucky color.
This is probably the reason why the original copies are selling (used) for over $200 for the set.
October 31st, 2006 at 12:34 am
I agree that for those of us who already own the DVD and the “making of” book, there is no reason to purchase this (not-so) “special” edition. I enjoyed watching the interviews (if only so I could torture myself YET AGAIN over the fact that Ben Whitrow is not playing Dumbledore . . . I digress . . .), but that section alone is hardly reason enough to buy this set. Rent the DVD, if you must, to watch the interviews — but be aware that there is almost no new information in them (well, there is the Darcy/Wickham hot tub bit), and MANY significant players, besides Ehle and Firth, are MIA. Susannah Harker, Anna Chancellor, Barbara Leigh-Hunt, Julia Sawalha, Joanna David, Emilia Fox, Polly Maberly, Lucy Scott — all missing. Adrian Lukis was almost frightening, as far as life imitating art goes. He seems to be as bitter about and envious of Colin Firth as Wickham was regarding Darcy.
The omission of a director’s/producer’s commentary track is just egregious.
I must disagree with Melissa about the Jane Austen “Biography,” however. I think it is just awful. Most of it is nothing more than images from the film versions of “Emma,” “Sense and Sensibility,” “Pride and Prejudice” and “Persuasion” — oh, and “Bride and Prejudice,” “Bridget Jones’ Diary” and “Clueless” — illustrating the most skeletal biographical information about Jane Austen imaginable. There is little chronology or factual information and no mention at all of the Juvenalia, “Mansfield Park” or “Northanger Abbey.” And there is a completely pointless — and LONG — section showing a high school Jane Austen reading group. WHY???
Julie gives this DVD “special edition” two cups of tea, out of four (but the five hours of the story are, of course, perfect bliss).
November 6th, 2006 at 2:57 pm
this is the most beautiful film i have ever watched…obviously i reccomend!!
November 6th, 2006 at 4:53 pm
Just noticed this…
The Biography of Jane on the bonus DVD is shown regularly on A&E, at least when they’re feeling nostalgic for the good ole days when they had quality programming.
Oh SNAP!!!