"She is tolerable, I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me."
the only video-interview ever that has Colin in it with complete Darcy costume and make-up on! (with P&P summary intro).
With thanks to Jesslala
Thanks to N.I. !
Checkout the restoration process for the restorated DVD version and Blu-ray version
The arrival of dashing and distinguished
bachelor, Mr Bingley, sparks intrigue and
excitement among the Bennet family.
At the Assembly Rooms Ball, Jane, the eldest Bennet daughter, attracts Bingley's eye. Likewise, Jane's instantly smitten with his charm and charisma. Meanwhile, his best friend, Mr Darcy, appears pompous and arrogant.
When Bingley suggests that Darcy dance with Lizzie, Jane's sister, Darcy slights her by saying she's, 'tolerable I suppose but not handsome enough to tempt me.' Lizzie's astonished to hear such censure and laughs it off to her best friend, Charlotte. At this moment, Darcy first notices Lizzie properly.
At Sir William Lucas' party, Darcy is further captivated by Lizzie's playful manner and clever wit. When she turns him down for a dance, his fascination grows.
Meanwhile, her younger sister, Lydia, flirts with anyone in a military uniform.
When Jane's invited to dine at Netherfield with Bingley's sisters, she catches a fever and is bedridden for days. Lizzie takes it upon herself to nurse her sick sister. But she's disconcerted at spending time in the company of Darcy, who she truly believes disapproves of her. However, his opinion of her is quite the opposite.
Lizzie's relieved to leave Netherfield. But Jane is pleased at capturing Bingley's heart.
As legal heir to their estate, the Bennets are
forced to entertain their blundering cousin,
Mr Collins. The rector of a parsonage under the patronage of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mr Collins is both odious and pompous. Lizzie soon becomes the object of Mr Collins' affections and is subjected to his dire efforts at courtship.
On a walk into Meryton, the girls are introduced to a dashing officer called George Wickham.
At Mrs Phillips' party, Lizzie's surprised to discover Wickham grew up with Darcy. Wickham explains Darcy's father provided for him like he was his own son. He then makes a shocking revelation; Darcy refused point blank to certify the living that Wickham had been promised in old Mr Darcy's will. This scandal fuels Lizzie's hatred for Darcy further.
That night, Lizzie confides to Jane that she's fallen for Wickham's 'natural merriment and energy'.
At the Netherfield Ball, Lizzie's disappointed to learn that Wickham's been called away on urgent business. Meanwhile, Miss Bingley warns Lizzie not to give credit to all of Wickham's assertions and that 'Wickham treated Darcy in an infamous manner'. Later, Lizzie's subjected to dancing with Mr Collins and Darcy. To add insult to injury, Lizzie and Jane are further humiliated by the wild and reckless behaviour of their family.
The next day, Lizzie's horrified when Mr Collins proposes. She declines the offer, much to Mrs Bennet's anger.
Lizzie's horrified to learn her friend, Charlotte,
is engaged to Mr Collins. Despite Lizzie's
attempts to change her mind, Charlotte remains unmoved. During a walk to Meryton, Lizzie bumps into Wickham. He reveals his attendance at the Netherfield ball could have caused an unnecessary scene with Darcy.
Jane is devastated to learn from Miss Bingley that her brother and his party have left for London with no intention of returning. Miss Bingley convinces Jane that Bingley will be in no hurry to leave London now that Darcy's sister's in town. Jane believes Bingley no longer has feelings for her.
Lizzie's attraction for Wickham intensifies at Mrs Philips' Christmas party. However, Wickham appears somewhat distracted by Miss King, a woman with a fortune of £10,000.
Meanwhile, Jane's aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Gardiner, entertain her in London, in the hope of brightening her spirits. Lizzie receives news from Jane revealing she was altogether deceived by Miss Bingley.
Winter soon passes and Lizzie's surprised to learn of Wickham's engagement to Miss King. Lizzie visits Charlotte in Kent, where they are forced to endure the company of Darcy's overbearing aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Darcy and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, pay their aunt an unexpected visit. Unknowingly, Lizzie continues to attract Darcy's attention.
Colonel Fitzwilliam reveals to Lizzie that Darcy boasts of having recently saved Bingley from 'the inconveniences of a most imprudent marriage' as there were strong objections to the lady. Lizzie's outraged to discover that Darcy was responsible for separating Jane and Bingley.
Lizzie returns to Hunsford to reflect on this bombshell when Darcy unexpectedly arrives. He appears uneasy. Darcy suddenly declares that he 'ardently admires and loves' Lizzie. He asks her to marry him 'against his own better judgement'. After insulting her at every turn, it's no surprise that Lizzie declines Darcy's proposal.
Following Lizzie's marriage refusal, and her
accusations concerning Jane and Wickham,
Darcy's determined to defend his honour. He writes Lizzie a letter revealing that Wickham is a cad who declined any interest in the church and requested £5,000 instead.
Darcy continues by saying that Wickham tried to elope with his 15-year-old sister, Georgiana, in the hope of acquiring her £30,000 fortune. Finally, Darcy reveals that he did everything in his power to separate Bingley and Jane. He retorts that he strongly objected to the 'want of propriety' displayed by her family.
Lizzie returns to Longbourne. She's unsurprised to learn of Wickham's broken engagement to Miss King.
Meanwhile, Lydia and her sister, Kitty, are distraught that the regiment stationed at Meryton have moved to Brighton. However, Lydia's spirits are soon raised when she receives an invitation to Brighton from Colonel Forster's wife. Lizzie's deeply concerned that Lydia will expose the family to ridicule. She voices her fierce objections to her father but he is unmoved.
Mr and Mrs Gardiner invite Lizzie to Derbyshire. There they visit Pemberley, Darcy's grand and handsome estate. Lizzie's astonished at its beauty and even more astounded when the housekeeper sings nothing but praise for Darcy.
Elsewhere, Darcy is bathing in his lake. When he strolls back to the house, soaked in his wet breeches, he's shocked to see Lizzie. She doesn't know where to look! They make small talk before Darcy's swift exit.
Lizzie feels she must leave immediately. As they make their way to the carriage, Darcy reappears and welcomes them properly. Lizzie's shocked by this sudden transformation in character.
Darcy reveals that his sister, Georgiana, is keen to make Lizzie's acquaintance and that Bingley and his sisters will soon be joining him at Pemberley.
Lizzie and the Gardiners are invited to dine at
Pemberley with Bingley, his sisters, Darcy and
Georgiana. Lizzie entertains the party with her delightful singing. The chemistry continues to sizzle between Lizzie and Darcy as they exchange smouldering looks.
After Lizzie's departure, Caroline Bingley takes great pleasure in criticising her. Darcy is quick to come to her defence by calling her one the most handsome women of his acquaintance.
The next morning, Lizzie receives alarming news from Jane; Lydia has eloped with Wickham to Gretna Green. Jane concludes that Mr Bennet and Colonel Forster have gone to London to locate them and begs for Mr Gardiner's assistance
Meanwhile, Darcy unexpectedly arrives. His stunned reaction to the news leads Lizzie to believe that Lydia's elopement has brought disgrace upon her family.
Lizzie and the Gardiners immediately return to Longbourne. Elsewhere, Wickham and Lydia are keeping a low profile in London. Wickham soon begins to tire of her immaturity.
Mr Bennet returns with no news. Meanwhile, in a disreputable part of London, Darcy finally locates the whereabouts of Wickham and Lydia.
Mr Bennet receives news from Mr Gardiner. He reveals that Wickham and Lydia will marry if Mr Bennet agrees to the terms of their engagement. Mr Bennet is alarmed at these conditions. He suspects that Mr Gardiner has paid a great deal of money in order to bring about the marriage.
Lizzie regrets confiding in Darcy. Confused about her feelings, she can't bear to think that he's alive in the world, thinking ill of her.
Wickham and Lydia return to Longbourne. Lydia
accidentally reveals that Darcy was present at the
wedding.
Mrs Gardiner enlightens Lizzie about Darcy's role in uniting Wickham and Lydia. She reveals that Darcy bore all the expense and insisted that Mr Gardiner take the credit. She concludes that Darcy believed it was his fault that Wickham's character was not made known to the world.
News reaches Longbourne that Bingley and his party have returned to Netherfield.
After three anxious days waiting, Bingley and Darcy finally call upon them. It's clear Bingley is still very much in love with Jane. The next day, Bingley declares that he's always loved her and proposes. Jane accepts.
The arrival of Lady Catherine de Bourgh at Longbourne causes alarm. Lady Catherine's outraged by the rumour that her nephew, Darcy, is to marry Lizzie, when he is intended for her daughter. She demands that Lizzie promise never to enter into an engagement to Darcy. But Lizzie refuses.
Lady Catherine's objections to the marriage do not have their intended effect. During a walk in Meryton, Lizzie thanks Darcy for his kindness in bringing about Lydia's marriage. He reveals he did it solely for her and that his affections and wishes are unchanged. Lizzie declares that her feelings are quite the opposite to what they were.
Elizabeth Bennett maries Mr. Darcy and Jane Bennett maries Mr. Bingley in a joined ceremony.
--- THE END ---
(TV mini-series)
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Memorable Quotes from "Pride & Prejudice":
Elizabeth Bennet: For a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
Elizabeth Bennet: I am determined that nothing but the deepest love could ever induce me into matrimony.
Mr. Bingley: Darcy, I shall never understand why you go through the world determined to be displeased with everything and everyone in it.
Mr. Darcy: And I will never understand why you are always in a rage to approve of everything and everyone that you meet.
Elizabeth Bennet: Insufferable presumption!
Mr. Bennet: No lace. No lace, Mrs. Bennett, I beg you!
Mrs. Bennet: Oh, Mr. Bennet, nothing you say shall ever vex me again.
Mr. Bennet: I'm sorry to hear that.
Mrs. Bennet: Oh, fetch my smelling salts, I feel my faintness coming on me again.
Mrs. Bennet: You have no compassion for my poor nerves.
Mr. Darcy: In vain have I struggled, it will not do. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I
admire and love you.
Mrs. Gardiner: I believe one would be willing to put up with a great deal to be mistress of Pemberley.
Mr. Darcy: I shall conquer this, I shall.
Mr. Darcy: I may say the disclosure had quite the opposite effect to the one she intended.
It taught me to hope as I had scarcely ever allowed myself to hope before.
Mr. Darcy: Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth!
Jane Bennet: No, seriously, Lizzy. When did you first know you were in love with Mr. Darcy?
Elizabeth Bennet: It came on so slowly I hardly know... but I believe I must date it from the
time I first saw his wonderful grounds at Pemberley.
Elizabeth Bennet: Perhaps I didn't always love him as well as I do now, but in such cases as these a good memory is unpardonable.
Jane Austen figured largely in the BAFTA television award ceremony 1996. Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth's perfomances as Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy, and Benjamin Whitrow's portrayal of long-suffering Mr Bennet, earned them Best Actress and Best Actor nominations.
In the end, Jennifer Ehle was the only one to recieve an award for best actress.
BBC's viewers later voted Colin their all time favourite actor at the BBC's 60 Anniversary Award the same year
[3 November 1996].
The favourite actor award was picked up by Colin Firth, who played Mr Darcy in 'Pride and Prejudice', beating off competition from Alan Bates and Sir Alec Guinness.
A transcript from Colin's thank you speach:
From the televised gala ceremony: "Colin Firth is in fact in Los Angeles at this moment, making movies... and he should be pool side in Beverly Hills. Colin, very, many congratulations from us! Very well done indeed."
Colin: "Thank you very much. I've driven a long way this morning just to sit here for precisely this effect, so it's good that you mention it......"
[Laughter from the London audience]
"Well, I've seem to have benefited, one way or the other, from BBC for years now, having grown up on them in terms of television. They've gone on to provide me with some of the greatest satisfaction I've ever had in terms of work and, well, now this!! And despite the feeling that my career might have just peaked....[Laughter] ... I would like to thank them, and above all those who have voted for me. It's a formidable list of nominees and it's praise enough simply to be on it. So I shall grab this and flee before there's a recount! Thank you very much."
When Pride and Prejudice was offered I just thought, without even having read it 'Oh, that old warhorse' and I unwrapped the
huge envelope with great trepidation. I think I was only about five pages in when I was hooked. It was remarkable. I don't think any script has fired me up quite as much, just in the most basic, romantic-story terms"
"I knew I had to listen to the voice inside me which said 'You enjoyed this. It's the only script you've been able to read for long time'. I had to take that seriously. But then the other thing was that I didn't feel I was right for Darcy. I didn't feel I would be able to make him what he should be. He seemed too big a figure somehow."
[The Making of Pride and Prejudice. A Conversation with Colin Firth.]
This piece of art, which fetched £12,000 at auction, which was held at Bonhams in London, on 21 January 2009.
Three-quarter length portrait of Colin Firth as Mr Darcy standing before a drape with one arm resting on a ledge, a book in his hand, a landscape with a country house in the distance. Oil on canvas. 126.5 x 102cm. This painting was commissioned for the 1995 BBC production of 'Pride and Prejudice' and appeared in episode 4. It is being sold with a typed letter from Colin Firth, signed and dated by him in March 2008, regarding the painting and his part in the production.The proceeds from the sale of the painting was benefitted to Oxfam and the 'Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group'.
