Better than a Bond Girl

No one writes virtuous, feisty, impoverished spinster-heroines better than Jane Austen. But just try getting those gals up on the silver screen. Noted scholar Sheryl Craig discussed how difficult it is for Jane to make the leap from print to movie. All the internal dialogue, class distinctions, numerous scenes and characters make adapting Jane Austen a challenge at best and a period mess at worst.

Ms. Craig paid particular attention to the film adaptations of Pride and Prejudice. She pointed out the obvious change in the time period in the 1940 version (popularly known as the “Olivier” version). Many of the costumes were borrowed from the blockbuster film of the year before, Gone With the Wind and it was obvious to all viewers that Greer Garson was a little too old to be playing Elizabeth Bennett.

The “Colin Firth” version of the BBC miniseries Pride and Prejudice is noted for the BBC telling screenwriter/adapter Andrew Davies to take no notice of the broadcast time constraints and produce the most accurate and entertaining screenplay possible.

Interestingly, the 2005 version of P&P is referred to as the “Keira Knightley” version. Craig pointed out that most P&P films are differentiated by the actors who play Darcy, not the actresses who portray Elizabeth. Craig also explained the dire circumstances of the Bennetts’ in the first scenes in the 2005 movie. Noting that Americans have difficulty discerning between classes, she said, “Americans understand money.” This is the reason for the vast gulf between the Bennetts and the other characters.

Become a cine-Jane expert by catching the rest of the BBC productions on Kansas City’s local public television station, KCPT or the free films at Kansas City Public Library. The next one will be the “Keira Knightly” Pride & Prejudice on January 26.