I finally read "Pride and Prejudice"

And I also watched the film, so let’s talk about them

Written by Bruna Ugá.

The Bennet Family in "Pride and Prejudice". Photo from ndla.no

I haven’t been a good reader for the past few years, so I was a little proud of myself after reading more books in 2025. That still doesn’t say much but I’m not here to kick a dead horse: I know I must read more, and more importantly I want to read more.

So my first reading of 2026 was the classic novel “Pride and Prejudice” written by the British author Jane Austen and published in 1813. Getting to know the protagonist Elizabeth’s cleverness and sincerity was a joyous ride and I can understand why this character has been used as a model in many other pieces of literature and films. Besides that, it’s one thing to write about an outspoken and intelligent woman who knows what she wants nowadays, but writing that more than 200 years ago is something that must be acknowledged.

Of course, the other characters don’t lack in personality and I caught myself cheering for the shy Jane, laughing at Mr. Bennet’s sarcasm and rolling my eyes at Mrs. Bennet’s mood switches. I cannot forget to mention THE Mr. Darcy who for sure was also a model for the mysterious and serious romantic interest that ends up completely in love with the main character. We don’t get to see many interactions between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy throughout the book but it’s just as interesting to learn about him from Lizzie’s and the other character’s perspectives.

Translating a great book into a great film

It’s inevitable to make a comparison between this work and the film, so let’s get to it. I had watched it a couple of years ago but in circumstances that didn’t allow me to really pay attention. Just after finishing the book I hit play and watched everything attentively so I could see what it had - or missed - from the original story. It actually does a great job at portraying all the most important points and showing the character’s personality in seconds instead the length of many pages.

This difference in length between film and book makes plot points happen so much faster and it seems that situations occur in days instead of weeks. Because of that the film has to rely much more on the character’s reactions and emotions so it’s a relief to see such great actors on screen. While in the book we get to know Lizzie’s change of heart towards Mr. Darcy in many words inside her thoughts, in the film we get to feel her emotions through Keira Knightley’s wonderful performance.

What really makes the film stand out are the directing and photography. The way the camera moves in the Family Bennet’s house showing the fun and little chaos of a household with five girls; the beautiful shots of landscapes and moments of peace; and of course the zoom on Mr. Darcy’s stretched hand after touching Elizabeth’s. All these details show how a great book can be translated into a great film with respect for its story at the same time that it is transformed into something new.

Now excuse me because I have to start my BBC’S Pride and Prejudice marathon.