We love… Pride and Prejudice

WOULD you believe it’s been 10 years since the original BBC run of Pride and Prejudice?

A decade since Julia Sawahla giggled her way through an entire six-hour series, 10 years since Alison Steadman deafened us all with her high pitched squeals. And 10 years since we witnessed Colin Firth in that lake scene.

Upon its release Pride and Prejudice was an instant success. It swept the nation with classical literature fever and did no harm at all to Jane Austen’s book sales.

Originally written in the 18th Century by a 20-year-old woman, the novel tells the story of Elizabeth Bennett and her persistent incredulity at society’s superficiality and the attitudes of those around her. Born the second of five sisters she falls under the shadow of the revered beauty of her elder sister, Jane, and struggles to shake off the poor name her mother and immature younger sisters tend to attract.

When Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy, two of the country’s richest men, come to stay on a nearby estate, the Bennett household is thrown into upheaval when the former focuses his attentions upon Jane. Mr Darcy is a proud, unpleasant man who attracts the disdain of Elizabeth. However, as time progresses and the family is thrown into turmoil by the actions of the youngest Miss Bennett, Elizabeth and Mr Darcy find themselves drawing closer.

Due to the intricate complexities of the storyline and length of the original novel, only a mini series could truly do it justice. All that happens just cannot be conveyed in the space of two hours, explaining why the recent cinema release fails to match the TV version.

Expertly written by Andrew Davies and performed brilliantly by an ensemble cast, the atmosphere and stiff society are effectively recreated in the series. We are treated to lavish balls, expansive estates, elegant gowns and rambling countryside, all of which seem to be painstakingly crafted to truly reflect the production’s air of authenticity.

The casting of relative unknown, Colin Firth, will always be remembered as Pride and Prejudice’s strongest force. No man could have played Darcy better and no matter how hard Matthew MacFadyen sulks and pouts at the camera, he will never make the role his own.

Firth exuded buckets of charisma despite barely cracking a smile until the final episode. His portrayal was grand and sober, and he effectively conveyed the subtle shift in Darcy’s emotions. On top of all that he became the object of desire of an entire country with his dark, rugged good looks and white, clinging shirt. As Andrew Davies himself said, “He burnt his way into the hearts of England’s womanhood.”

The chemistry created between himself and Jennifer Ehle was electric. Her performance, too, was one of rationality and intelligence making the character of Elizabeth clearly stand out against the others. It is obvious why she catches his eye and holds his longstanding attention. It is, then, unsurprising that Firth and Ehle had a brief fling of their own while on set, although it was over before filming had wrapped.

Pride and Prejudice is the perfect example of escapism. Although only set around 200 years ago it seems to be a different world. A world where women wear long, flowing dresses, where men wear top hats and where the only transport is a horse and carriage.

It is wonderfully romantic but never descends into slushy chick-flick. Perfect viewing for a rainy Sunday afternoon.

The cast

Colin Firth as Mr Darcy has probably been the most successful since Pride and Prejudice, appearing in Love Actually, Bridget Jones and Shakespeare in Love.

Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennett has not had anything like Firth’s success but has appeared in a BBC crime series and the film This Year’s Love.

Alison Steadman as Mrs Bennett is a British gem, star of stage and screen. She first wowed us in Abigail’s Party and most recently has appeared in Fat Friends.

Lucy Davies as Maria, though only a minor role, is now a common fixture in British comedy, most notably The Office and Shaun of the Dead.

Crispin Bonham-Carter’s innocently sweet Mr Bingley has only earned minor roles. You may have spotted him in the background of Love Actually.

As featured in the Western Mail 19th Sept 2005.

We love… David Starkey

BRITAIN’S best recognised face of history and notorious political critic has helped turn formally dull subjects into popular prime time viewing.

David Starkey is best known for having eclipsed fellow TV faces Simon Schama and Adam Hart-Davis in the history game with his fiercely popular profiles of the Tudor monarchy.

Born January 3, 1945, to poor Quaker parents, Starkey was raised in the northern town of Kendal, home of the Mint Cake.

Always keen to say what he thinks, Starkey has achieved a notorious reputation. When questioned about the current Government he neatly fulfils the role of staunch critic. Asked who he was planning on voting for in the previous general election his response was “I shall hold my nose and vote for the Tories and hope that Ann Widdecombe falls under a bus – except I imagine the damage will be to the bus.”

Being a man with his fingers in many pies, Starkey has also been on the editorial board for History Today since 1980 and is a patron of the Tory Campaign for Homosexual Equality.

He has tackled each Tudor monarch in his books and television programmes with vigour and it is this energy and talent that sealed their popularity. His first foray into television took the shape of a series on Henry VIII which was followed with another about Elizabeth I.

His unique talent for presenting the events of the past in a dramatic, exciting way has earned him both fans and critics. Regardless of what either may say he has placed historical documentaries into the mainstream and ensured their success.

He shows his audience the romantic, violent sides of history. It offers the possibility of escapism into a world of times past. The result is almost fantasy with long elegant dresses, knights, wars kings and queens. Often there is little to depart the programmes from fiction, the dramatic tension is the same with the simple difference being that everything you see on screen actually took place.

The long-term success of reality television has shown to the world that real people are often just as, if not more, appealing than fictional characters.

Starkey seems to relish his time in front of the camera. He performs his role of narrator with flair, retaining a constant serious tone and impressing upon us the enormity of what has taken place.

Never one to shy away from a challenge he now has a new, rather hefty, project in the pipeline. Over the course of the next four years he will produce programmes profiling every monarch from the year 400 AD to the present day. Giving him the chance to delve into areas of history that he has not touched since he was a schoolboy, he is finding it very exciting. “If something’s worth doing it’s worth doing big,” he insists.

It is an attitude such as this which has offered him worldwide fame. His programmes have been sold around the world and he has achieved some success in the US by offering up our rich history.

As one of few men who manage to become an iconic figure in only the later years of their life David certainly demands respect for his achievements. Not only does he produce fascinating books and programmes but he has proved to a godsend for parents and teachers alike for managing to make history interesting. Here’s hoping he has many more left inside him.

Despite suffering early health problems in the form of polio and club foot he excelled at Kendal Grammar School and went on to attend Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. There he earned his BA and PhD and has been recently made a fellow.

In 1972 he began teaching history at the London School of Economics where he remained for 26 years. During this time he began working on radio programmes, including Radio 4’s Moral Maze, and a current affairs programme on, what was then, Talk Radio. It was on the latter that he was bestowed the title “the rudest man in Britain” by the Daily Mail because of his aggressive phone manner.

DAVID STARKEY’S favourite historical figures

Elizabeth I 1533-1603: Made Queen in 1558 after the death of her half sister Mary I she was renowned for retaining her strength and integrity during very turbulent times which included her excommunication by the Pope.

Alfred the Great 849-899: Crowned in 871 Alfred is often considered the greatest monarch who ever lived. He simultaneously existed as a war hero and taught himself Latin which thus created the beginnings of the English language.

William the Conqueror 1028-1087: His coronation took place in possibly the most famous year in history, 1066. His achievements include winning the Battle of Hastings, commissioning the Doomsday Book and building the Tower of London.

As featured in the Western Mail 20th Sept 2005