Better than a Bond Girl
January 17, 2008
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.
So you think you know Pride and Prejudice?
January 10, 2008
Guest blogger, Jenny here. Kaite has asked me to post on here a few times. Hopefully you’ll see me at the Jane-uary events. I don’t live in KC so it’s up to Mother Nature on how many events I’ll get to.
Have you ever seen the Pride and Prejudice board game? I bought the game about 4 years ago at Brits in Lawrence. We have played it a few times at my Jane Austen book club that I run at one of the libraries I work at.
The woman who created the game lives in KC. She’s a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America-KC Metro region. I’ve met her a couple of times. She’ll probably be at some of the Jane-uary events.
The goal of the game is to be the first couple married. It is quite a challenging game. It shows who REALLY knows P&P. I’ve played it with fellow English majors when I was an undergrad and like I said before, Jane Austen book club members. Who do you think did better? 
