Plot: What’s it about?
As the 18th century heads toward an end, so does the future of the Bennet bloodline, or so it seems. Mr. Bennet (Donald Sutherland) and his wife have five children, but all were daughters. This means since there is no male heir, the family estate will be left to a cousin upon the father’s death. As the family’s financial assets won’t be available to them, the daughters now feel added pressure to find suitable husbands. As if the stress of trying to find a good man weren’t enough, now the increased pressure of getting a man of means is even more intense. Elizabeth (Keira Knightley) refuses to play the role of quiet, doting female however, even brushing off the cold, but well to do Mr. Darcy (Matthew McFayden). But as time passes and the two continue to cross paths, will she warm up to the man she swore to hate?
To this point, most of the high definition releases have been popcorn blockbusters, which makes sense, given their potential for impressive audio/visual presence. A welcome chance of pace is Pride & Prejudice, which proves you don’t need special effects galore to look remarkable in high definition. The movie itself is quite good, with lush period production values and ample romance, of the effective sort. I’ve seen a lot of period romances and in most cases, the romance has a melodramatic texture, which works in some cases. In this movie however, there is a more natural approach to romance and to me, it is more effective and helps keep melodrama to a minimum. All of the elements fall into place, with great performances, authentic period details, and how the story is allowed to flow. In short, Pride & Prejudice is a fine romance with great period atmosphere and on 4K, the movie looks superb, so this is an excellent way to experience the film. Of note, if you’re looking for elements of this film and want to throw in….say…zombies then look no further.
Video: How does it look?
Presented in a new 2.35:1 4K HEVC transfer, this is a wonderful visual effort, one that captures all the visual magic I saw in the theatrical presentation. The image here isn’t as eye popping in terms of razor sharp detail, but it does sport enhanced depth, to be sure. The draw here are the gorgeous colors, which look so much bolder and richer here than on the standard release, the landscapes simply shine. But most scenes reflect the intended golden hue, but even then, detail is strong and the visuals are always remarkable. I knew how good this could look, so I am pleased with how well this transfer turned out and fans should be no less than thrilled.
Audio: How does it sound?
This is a dialogue driven period drama, but the included Dolby Atmos mix does improve upon the TrueHD mix found on the Blu-ray. Nevertheless, this option still sounds impressive. The atmosphere is well handled, as background noise is effective and you feel immersed inside the film’s world. The surrounds don’t offer much power, but they are active and offer an experience that makes the most of the material. The music also sounds great, while dialogue is clear and suffers no serious concerns. So it might not be the kind of soundtrack you’ll rave about, but it sounds very good and adds a lot to the experience, to be sure.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Two decades have passed since the release of this film, but in all that time we’re still stuck with the same supplements that we had when this first came out on Standard DVD.
- Audio Commentary – The most substantial supplement is director Joe Wright’s commentary track, in which he covers a broad range of topics in regard to the movie and its source. He compares and contrasts this film with other adaptations, talks about the cast during the shoot, and offers technical information on production issues. The track is loaded with insights on all these topics and more, so if you enjoyed the movie, don’t miss this session.
- Conversations with the Cast – The cast dotes their affection and professionalism upon one another.
- Jane Austen: Ahead of Her Time – Essentially that. a look at the author as well as some of the themes in her novels.
- A Bennet Family Portrait – The family aspect is explored in the movie (and novel) as well as the entire element of family.
- HBO First Look: Pride & Prejudice – They don’t really do these anymore, but these “HBO First Looks” were just a glorified promo/trailer for films with some interviews and behind the scenes footage. This is no different.
- The Politics of 18th Century Dating – If you’ve ever wondered what the codes of conduct were for relationships in Victorian England, and let’s face it – who hasn’t – this one is for you.
- The Stately Homes of Pride & Prejudice – We get some history of the homes found in the film.
The Bottom Line
Two decades later, the film is essentially the same. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, per se, but rather a movie based on a timeless classic isn’t really going to age any better or worse in the span of twenty years. Universal’s disc gives us improved picture and sound, but the same ‘ol supplements. If you’re a fan of Austen (or the film), this is the best it’s looked. If not, keep what you’ve got.
