Customer Reviews

Pride And Prejudice [Blu-ray] [1995] [Region Free]

5 star:		(207)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Compared to the 10th anniversary edition, this new 2009 release (ignore the [1995] designation in Amazon's listing) has very noticeably better picture quality. There is greater detail but, more importantly, the colour grading is far more accurate. Well worth paying the extra money for, with or without the extra features.

This new special edition of Pride and Prejudice is well worth the money I paid for it. Finally the colour has returned to the world of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy with breathtaking results. I own the 10th Anniversary Edition as well, the Special Edition easily beats it in every way. This is the best adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and it has now been given the treatment it deserves!

After two dreadful DVD releases (the first and the 10th anniversary edition) in which all of the warmth had been drained from the glorious original 16mm print as seen on TV and on VHS, the BBC and 2 Entertain have finally repented and this, one of television's most beloved series has been restored to its former beauty. In 2005 I foolishly bought the 10th Anniversary Edition as the cover art-work suggested that the problems with the original transfer had been corrected. Upon viewing it, I wrote to the head of BBC in Australia with the challenge that if she could find any of the colours on the packaging actually on the DVD, I would happily walk naked down a Melbourne street at peak hour. Luckily for the locals, none could be found, and the offending item was returned. Now I am delighted to say that the original warmth has been lovingly restored in the Blu-Ray edition. Yes, as previous reviewers have stated, it was not shot in HD, nor even in 35mm - just humble 16mm, and at times some of the long-shots are not entirely distinct - yet it is a small quibble, and this is well worth the purchase to be able to once again see this iconic series in the rich tapestry of colours in which it was originally made. Thank you BBC/2 Entertain for restoring a true gem.

The picture quality is sharp and bright and makes an already fantastic production visually better. The characters seem to be even more alive and the remastering brings out their facial features and expressions even more so. The background characters at the assembly room and the Netherfield Ball, once barely noticeable stand out. The costumes look sharp and fresh in particular the red capes worn by Lydia and Kitty on their way into Meryton. In my opinion certainly worth the investment.

This a truly wonderful restoration of the BBC's definitive adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and has given a whole new lease of life to my favourite period drama. Long-time fans will definitely enjoy this special edition. Compared to the first DVD edition which I have been watching all these years, the colours and sounds on this edition are vibrant, luscious and warm instead of being washed out and faded. The skin tones sometimes do look a bit pink, but this can be easily adjusted on your TV set and is really quite a minor gripe compared to the depth of colours we can finally see. I hope more period dramas will get this rejuvenating treatment. Well done, BBC.

Well they've done it, my favourite costume drama is now available on Blu-Ray. There is a short feature on the disc which describes the new process of remastering the original 16mm film for Blu-ray (apparently the process for dealing with the edit points, has only very recently been devised). So what can I say? It has definitely all been worth it. Yes there is still some noise especially on the darker scenes, but overall the transformation is amazing, much more detail, edges much sharper, colours much much brighter and more natural and the overall image is less bleached out in parts than the DVD. Also Audio is now in DTS-HD. I say buy it you won't be diappointed...

Having seen the first 45 minutes of the first episode the morning after a night of clubbing (and therefore hungover and in need of good TV) I fell in love with this series. In order to watch the rest I bought this DVD special edition and can honestly recommend it to anyone who's read, or not read the book.

When I play this DVD on my Blu-ray player it up-scales the image further to a very high quality. It's incredibly sharp and a lot less "fuzzy" than the version I saw on TV. My only complaint would be that it's lost a bit of warmth compared to the original quality. For example at times Elizabeth Bennett (Jennifer Ehle) looks incredibly white and almost sunburnt instead of like she's blushing. You get over it quickly though and it's easy enough to change the settings on the TV to compensate.

Also if you're torn between this version and the 2005 Keira Knightley movie version, I would definitely say this version is the best. Mainly because with an extra 4 hours or so it misses much less out and the tension between Elizabeth and Darcy is more drawn out (and it's the suspense that makes Pride and Prejudice so good!) This version also has a practically perfect cast with Colin Firth simply being Darcy, Jennifer Ehle portraying the intelligent, witty and headstrong Elizabeth (while at the same time being very likeable), the mother and father are also both absolutely perfect as sources of dry humour and embarrassment and the rest of the cast are also stupidly great but I won't waffle on about them here; you'll have to watch it yourself!

If you are looking for the definitive adaptation of Miss Austen's classic and much-loved novel, look no further. The outfits and settings are meticulously researched and brilliantly executed, and each of the actors fits their role to perfection. Some people might wonder how Susannah Harker's Jane can be considered prettier than Jennifer Ehle's Lizzy, but to the Regency standards Harker would have been the classic beauty with her blond locks and blue eyes, and dark hair and eyes would be considered inferior to that, regardless of Ehle's livelier features. It is attention to details like that which makes it the sumptuous Regency fest that it is. A gorgeously brooding Mr Darcy, smiley and bouncy Mr Bingley, delightfully bright and mischievous Lizzy, quiet, kind-hearted Jane, hilariously obnoxious Mrs Bennet, witty Mr Bennet, amusingly stupid and servile Mr Collins, pretty but completely empty-headed Lydia (a brilliant performance by Julia Sawalha) and bulldog-like Lady Catherine de Bourgh are just some of the highlights of this series. A must-have for all true Austen fans.

First, for french people like me : there's no french feature at all, english subtitles are all that can help us.

Second, concerning the technical blu-ray features : the image quality is far from Blade Runner or The Dark Knight, BUT there's higher definition compared to an average dvd, considering that the dvd version of Pride and Prejudice is of a realy poor quality, the gap between dvd and blu-ray is worth the purchase.

This has got to be the best adaptaion of any classic.
Having owned Pride & Predjudice on VHS and DVD I can say that this Blu-Ray edition is a revalation. Details and colours are reveled that I didn't know existed and the DTS-HD sound is focused and very clear.
I have compared the DVD and Blu-ray side by side, remember how impressed you were when you 1st saw DVD compared to VHS? The difference is that good and better.If you like the BBC's adaptaion, and who doesn't? You have to buy this on Blu-ray.
Do it now! You will not be vexed!
Excellent job 2 entertain, and amazon, ordered from Australia on Sunday, delivered the following Friday.