She speaks her mind

Rating: 9/10 (17 March 2016)

Although I have a great fondness for the MGM version of Pride And Prejudice that came out in 1940 probably this English version of the pinnacle of Jane Austen's literary talents is probably closer to what she had in mind. Women have certainly come a long way since those Victorian times Ms. Austen chronicled so well.
Donald Sutherland and Brenda Blethlyn play the Bennetts the proud parents of five lovely daughters that is a source of great concern. In those days with no careers open to women the idea is marry well. The parents are concerned that suitable matches are made for them. One daughter Jane looks to marry a handsome and pleasant but rather dull young man named Bingley. Looking good till Bingley's friend Darcy warns him off the husband hunting Bennett clan.
This sets up the main plot of the story the growing love of Jane's sister Elizabeth played by Keira Knightley and Darcy played by Matthew MacFayden. Both read each other wrong at first. Darcy like all the others is first shocked by Elizabeth who does not conform to Victorian standards for young women, she speaks her mind. And Elizabeth misreads Darcy's character totally at first. It turns out that character is something he has a lot of.
This version of Pride And Prejudice got four Oscar nominations including Keira Knightley for Best Actress. One of the other nominations was for Art&Set Design. The 1940 MGM version won the Oscar for Art&Set Design for what they created on MGM's back lot. Here the cinematography and the sets made ample use of the English countryside. See these versions back to back and see which one you think did better in the Art&Set Department.
As for the story Jane Austen and her times continue to fascinate.