I feel the desire to compare with summarized effort, the two movies depicting the famous romance in Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen. I wonder how the newer 2005 version can stand next to the 1995 A&E production. I don’t wish to show one in superiority to the other, or to deeply delve into minute details, but just to show a mere overview.

Our heroine, Elizabeth Bennett, is one to look at in this comparison. Despite one being quite voluptuous and mature, and the other very thin and sometimes silly, other differences also occur. A&E’s Lizzy is very open with her sister, Jane, as the book depicts, while Keira Knightley’s character is very introverted and secretive with Jane. I wished that Keira would have been more open with her sister as the book directs.

I feel this comparison may prove insufficient since one stands only 129 minutes compared to 300 minutes. Of course, the longer version shows us greater detail and development of all the characters and situations. I was still impressed that in 129 minutes, the new version did portray all the most significant moments and controversies very sufficiently. Surprisingly also 2005′s depiction sometimes held more closely to the dialogue provided by Jane Austen in the novel, when A&E left it out.

One of my favorite characters, that must be singled out is Mr. Collins. Six hours does much more justice to his moronic awkwardness by A&E. The only characteristic that I found comical in the more modern interpretation was that they cast him being very short. A&E was far superior in creating and casting a character with an eloquent way of speaking his nonsense, opposed to the cumbersome stutterings of our “shorter” Mr. Collins.

The music in both movie stands out to me to be both excellent, but different. In both movies, the music is unique and clever, creating the perfect mood of the scene, although the moods are the difference. A&E was wise in pairing a particular theme to most characters, and creating a vibrant title piece that mimics a hunting chase. Focus Features managed to create a much more romantic piano melody that truly intensifies the emotions of this film. The music successfully allows one to be whimsical and flirtacious, while the other is more romantic and sensual.

Both versions do provide a great depiction of the story, and the scenery. The land that spans the areas of England where the story takes place are quite beautifully spanned in both films. Especially in the scenes of Pemberley, Mr. Darcy’s estate, in both films, the exquisite property is land that anyone would be apt to purchase if they had the means.

While the older version allows us to see more development in the relationship between Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth, I was more satisfied in the exchange of affection between Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfayden. The ending conversation that creates the engagement of the two is much more captivating in the newer version, while is seems somewhat flat and unfeeling in the older version. However, the great chance encounter of Mr. Darcy at his estate is much more enjoyable and prolonged in our longer version, and somewhat disappointing in the 2005 film.

I was very engaged in the ball at Mr. Bingley’s estate that was brilliantly directed by Joe Wright in 2005′s film. It is by far my favorite scene in the film that shows the great elegance of Bingley and Darcy, versus the frivolity of most the Bennetts. The unique dance scene with Elizabeth and Darcy stands legendary, as does the continuous feelings of constant, uncut camera movement through all the events of the evening.

The success of either film can be easily seen. In 2005 the theater-released version of the film was nominated for 4 Oscars. IMDb rates it with 7.8 out of 10 stars. It was also praised in many other award venues. In its day, the 1995 version won the daytime Emmy, and is praised with 9.3 out of 10 stars on the same website. Also the substantial success for A&E’s timeless version, is its capacity to withstand time and remain a legendary favorite that is rediscovered in every generation. Only time will tell if the shorter of the stories will also withstand.

Of course it is nicer sometimes when you don’t have 6 hours to watch the more developed story, that a shorter and equal story has been made to fit better in our schedules. Undoubtedly I have to admit that the book still stands supreme in my eyes as the ultimate depiction of ultimate romance in the tale. It is only then that Elizabeth and Darcy become exactly who we want them to be.