Pride and Prejudice

            Pride and Prejudice makes an interesting adapted form in BBC’s 1995 production directed by Simon Langton. The opening scene starts off by introducing Bingley, one of the main protagonists in the series, who is looking at possibly renting one of the manors in the countryside. He decides to take it, unknowingly starting a spiraling course of events that will alter the lives of all the characters within the novel. As Bingley rides away towards the manor the camera pans over to a single woman standing atop a hilltop over looking the property. This is the main protagonist Elizabeth Bennet.  Already with this scene she has been set up as a character that is a keen observer and watcher.  Elizabeth walks home, opening up a scene to introduce another set of characters. The squeals and cries of girls can be heard within the house as Elizabeth approaches the window to her father’s study. Peeking into the window, a moment of eye contact and smile of understanding is shared between Elizabeth and her father. This sets her a part from her other sisters already, a special bond established between Elizabeth and her father is implied.  As for he elects to grant Elizabeth his attention, while at the same time avoiding the rest of his offspring.

            With this opening episode the personalities of all the characters within the novel is established, except with a slight variation, which might be due to the change of medium. For instance we see a new developed ability for characters to fight the judgments made by Elizabeth.

            Do you think the fidelity of the characters was kept pretty well?

            For the slight alterations made, would you say that it had a positive or negative impact on the story?