Watch 'Pride & Prejudice' together to prep for the Jane Austen Festival

By Ann Maloney, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
on March 06, 2013 at 11:44 AM, updated March 06, 2013 at 2:25 PM

Novelist Jane Austen's best-known work, "Pride & Prejudice," turned 200 on Jan. 17. This weekend, the Jane Austen Literary Festival will celebrate this literary landmark by focusing on the novel during its sixth annual event in Mandeville.

As a prelude to the festivities, I've decided to settle in at home on Friday night and watch the 2005 film version of the novel -- the one featuring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen.

Why don't you watch along with me?

Here's how: Grab a cup of tea and a biscuit; then, at precisely 7 p.m. on Friday, March 8, hit play on your DVD. If you don't have it, the film is available at Barnes and Noble as well as through various services, such as Hulu.

If you're on Twitter, follow along with me there, noting your favorite scenes, best lines and most touching moment. Fault-finders are welcome as well. Spoiler alert: I have strong feelings about the final scene in this version.

Find me on Twitter @AnnMMaloney. Please use hashtag #JaneAusten.

If you're on Facebook, friend me and follow along there. You can find my page here: https://www.facebook.com/AnnMMaloneyinNola.

(This is not my favorite adaptation. That, of course, is the BBC miniseries starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. I cannot, however, ask you to tackle that with me: It's five lovely hours long. That's just too much of a commitment on such short notice.)

The anniversary has drawn attention to the novel, published just four years before Austen's death in 1817. I first read it at age 14 and then again and again and again.

In honor of the 200th anniversary, scholars and fans have attempted to explain why it endures:


READ MORE: http://www.nola.com/movies/index.ssf/2013/03/watch_pride_prejudice_together.html

Jennifer Ehle: 'Millions would see me naked on telly' Actress Jennifer Ehle shares what she wishes she'd known at 18... (THE SUN)

By GARTH PEARCE

JENNIFER EHLE played Elizabeth Bennet in the 1995 award-winning BBC TV adaption of Jane Austen’s Pride And Prejudice and launched a film career.

The American-born star, 43, has a major role as a CIA officer in the thrilling action movie Zero Dark Thirty, which is the hottest tip for a Best Picture Oscar.

She lives in America with writer husband Michael Ryan and children George, nine, and Talulah, three.

She tells GARTH PEARCE what she wishes she’d known at 18.

“I WISH I’d not taken off all my clothes in my first television series, The Camomile Lawn.When I took the job, I did not realise there would be so much nudity. But no one forced me to do it.

Jennifer Ehle with her mother, British actress Rosemary Harris

I played the young Calypso (her English actress mother, Rosemary Harris, played the character as an older woman) and had some very full-on scenes.

I only got British citizenship the year we did Pride And Prejudice. I thought London would be a nicer city to be unemployed in than New York or Los Angeles.

Colin Firth? He is a very nice guy and a very good actor. We did have a relationship for about a year. But by the time Pride And Prejudice came out, we were not a couple any more.

READ MORE: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/4777166/Jennifer-Ehle-I-wish-Id-known-millions-would-see-me-naked.html

WATCH: Warm Up with Heated British Costume Drama Scenes By Brigid Brown | Posted on Thursday, February 14th, 2013 (BBC AMERICA)

 

The queen gets what she wants. (The Young Victoria/Sony)

It’s that heartwarming time of year that only rolls around once. You guessed it, it’s time to get cozy on the couch with that special loved one – yep, your laptop – and check out some heated scenes from British costume dramas.

The Young Victoria

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9LXtex_b_tk

The new bride (Emily Blunt) doesn’t have time to take a proper honeymoon, being the Queen of England and all, but her adoring husband Prince Albert (Rupert Friend) makes the best of their three days together.

 Jane Eyre

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Z7_uNOTpG5Y

Governess Jane Eyre (Mia Wasikowska) had a rocky life but never complained nor did she expect anything. She kept her head down, but Mr. Rochester (Michael Fassbender), her employer, noticed her.

 Pride and Prejudice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dBgaO9Va5cA

Elizabeth (Jennifer Ehle) reluctantly accepts a dance from Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth), but once on the floor the sparks fly. 

North and South

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kcVIV8plzWk

Mr. Thornton (Richard Armitage) uses both hands to embrace Margaret Hale’s (Daniela Denby-Ashe) face, pulling her in for a kiss.

READ MORE: http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2013/02/watch-warm-up-with-heated-british-costume-drama-scenes/