Pride and Prejudice (1940): A Classic Romance on Screen
Pride and Prejudice is a 1940 American film adaptation of Jane Austen's 1813 novel of the same name, starring Greer Garson as Elizabeth Bennet and Laurence Olivier as Mr. Darcy. Directed by Robert Z. Leonard, the screenplay was written by Aldous Huxley and Jane Murfin, adapted specifically from the stage adaptation by Helen Jerome, in addition to Jane Austen's novel. The story is about five sisters from an English family of landed gentry who must deal with issues of marriage, morality and misconceptions. The film was released on July 26, 1940 in the United States by MGM and was critically well received. The New York Times film critic praised the film as "the most deliciously pert comedy of old manners, the most crisp and crackling satire in costume that we in this corner can remember ever having seen on the screen."
Plot
The film follows the plot of Austen's novel, with some changes and omissions. The main events are as follows:
pride and prejudice 1940 full movie free download
Mr. Bingley, a wealthy bachelor, rents Netherfield Park, a nearby estate, and moves in with his sister Caroline and his friend Mr. Darcy, a proud and aloof gentleman.
The Bennet family, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and their five daughters Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty and Lydia, are excited by the news, hoping for a possible match for one of their girls.
At a ball, Mr. Bingley is immediately attracted to Jane, the eldest and most beautiful sister, while Mr. Darcy snubs Elizabeth, the second eldest and most spirited sister, saying that she is "not handsome enough to tempt me."
Elizabeth develops a prejudice against Mr. Darcy, while he gradually becomes fascinated by her intelligence and wit.
Mr. Collins, a pompous clergyman and a distant cousin of Mr. Bennet, visits Longbourn, the Bennet residence, with the intention of marrying one of the daughters, as he is the heir to their estate.
He proposes to Elizabeth, who rejects him, much to her mother's dismay.
He then marries Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeth's best friend, who accepts him out of pragmatism.
Jane falls ill during a visit to Netherfield Park, and Elizabeth goes to nurse her.
There she has several encounters with Mr. Darcy, who begins to admire her more.
She also meets Mr. Wickham, a charming officer who tells her that he was wronged by Mr. Darcy in the past.
She believes him and dislikes Mr. Darcy even more.
Mr. Bingley leaves Netherfield Park abruptly, following his sister's advice and Mr. Darcy's influence, leaving Jane heartbroken.
The Bennet family goes to visit Mr. Collins and Charlotte at their parsonage near Rosings Park, the estate of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mr. Darcy's aunt.
There Elizabeth meets Mr. Darcy again, who surprises her with a passionate proposal of marriage.
She rejects him angrily, accusing him of separating Jane and Bingley and ruining Wickham's prospects.
He writes her a letter explaining his actions and revealing Wickham's true character: he tried to elope with Darcy's younger sister Georgiana for her fortune.
Elizabeth realizes that I have created two tables for you: one with the outline of the article and one with the article itself. I hope you find them useful and informative. Here they are: Outline of the article Heading Subheading --- --- Introduction - What is Pride and Prejudice and why is it a classic - Who are the main actors and filmmakers of the 1940 movie adaptation - How to watch the movie online for free Plot - A summary of the main events and characters of the movie - How the movie differs from the novel and other adaptations Style - The costumes, sets, music, and cinematography of the movie - The historical and cultural context of the movie Themes - The main messages and lessons of the movie - How the movie reflects Jane Austen's views on society, love, and marriage Trivia - Some interesting facts and anecdotes about the movie's production and reception Conclusion - A recap of the main points and an evaluation of the movie's strengths and weaknesses FAQs - Answers to some common questions about the movie Article with HTML formatting Pride and Prejudice (1940): A Classic Romance on Screen
Pride and Prejudice is one of the most beloved novels in English literature, written by Jane Austen in 1813. It tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet, a spirited and intelligent young woman, who must deal with her family's financial troubles, her mother's matchmaking schemes, and her own prejudices against Mr. Darcy, a wealthy and proud gentleman who falls in love with her. The novel is a witty and insightful commentary on the manners, morals, and marriages of Regency England, as well as a timeless romance that has inspired countless adaptations.
One of the most famous and popular adaptations is the 1940 movie version, starring Greer Garson as Elizabeth Bennet and Laurence Olivier as Mr. Darcy. Directed by Robert Z. Leonard, the screenplay was written by Aldous Huxley and Jane Murfin, adapted specifically from the stage adaptation by Helen Jerome, in addition to Jane Austen's novel. The movie was produced by MGM, a major Hollywood studio, and was released on July 26, 1940 in the United States. It was critically well received and nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction. The New York Times film critic praised the film as "the most deliciously pert comedy of old manners, the most crisp and crackling satire in costume that we in this corner can remember ever having seen on the screen."
If you are a fan of Pride and Prejudice, or if you are curious to see how this classic novel was brought to life on screen in 1940, you might be wondering how to watch this movie online for free. Fortunately, there are some options available for you to enjoy this film without paying anything. One of them is to watch it on YouTube, where several users have uploaded the full movie in good quality. You can find it by searching for "Pride and Prejudice 1940 full movie" or by clicking on this link: [Pride and Prejudice 1940 full movie](^1^). Another option is to watch it on iPlayer, where it is available until April 13, 2023. You can find it by searching for "Pride and Prejudice 1940" or by clicking on this link: [Pride and Prejudice 1940](^2^). However, you will need to have a UK TV licence to access iPlayer.
Plot
The plot of the movie follows the main events and characters of Austen's novel, with some changes and omissions. Here is a brief summary:
Mr. Bingley, a wealthy bachelor, rents Netherfield Park, a nearby estate, and moves in with his sister Caroline and his friend Mr. Darcy, a proud and aloof gentleman.
The Bennet family, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and their five daughters Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty and Lydia, are excited by the news, hoping for a possible match for one of their girls.
At a ball, Mr. Bingley is immediately attracted to Jane, the eldest and most beautiful sister, while Mr. Darcy snubs Elizabeth, the second eldest and most spirited sister, saying that she is "not handsome enough to tempt me."
Elizabeth develops a prejudice against Mr. Darcy, while he gradually becomes fascinated by her intelligence and wit.
Mr. Collins, a pompous clergyman and a distant cousin of Mr. Bennet, visits Longbourn, the Bennet residence, with the intention of marrying one of the daughters, as he is the heir to their estate.
He proposes to Elizabeth, who rejects him, much to her mother's dismay.
He then marries Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeth's best friend, who accepts him out of pragmatism.
Jane falls ill during a visit to Netherfield Park, and Elizabeth goes to nurse her.
There she has several encounters with Mr. Darcy, who begins to admire her more.
She also meets Mr. Wickham, a charming officer who tells her that he was wronged by Mr. Darcy in the past.
She believes him and dislikes Mr. Darcy even more.
Mr. Bingley leaves Netherfield Park abruptly, following his sister's advice and Mr. Darcy's influence, leaving Jane heartbroken.
The Bennet family goes to visit Mr. Collins and Charlotte at their parsonage near Rosings Park, the estate of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mr. Darcy's aunt.
There Elizabeth meets Mr. Darcy again, who surprises her with a passionate proposal of marriage.
She rejects him angrily, accusing him of separating Jane and Bingley and ruining Wickham's prospects.
He writes her a letter explaining his actions and revealing Wickham's true character: he tried to elope with Darcy's younger sister Georgiana for her fortune.
Elizabeth realizes that she was mistaken about Mr. Darcy and that he is a noble and generous man.
She returns to Longbourn, where she learns that Lydia has eloped with Wickham, putting the family's reputation in danger.
Mr. Darcy secretly intervenes and arranges for the couple to marry, paying off Wickham's debts and securing his consent.
He also persuades Mr. Bingley to return to Netherfield Park and propose to Jane, who happily accepts.
He visits Longbourn with Mr. Bingley and confesses his love for Elizabeth again, who accepts him this time.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh arrives at Longbourn and tries to prevent the marriage, but Elizabeth stands up to her.
Mr. Bennet gives his consent to the marriage, and Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are finally united.
Style
The movie is notable for its style, which includes the costumes, sets, music, and cinematography. The movie was made in 1940, but it is set in the early 19th century, during the Regency era. However, the movie does not follow the historical accuracy of the period, but rather adapts it to suit the Hollywood standards of the time. For example:
The costumes are more elaborate and colorful than the ones worn in Austen's time. They are influenced by the Victorian era and the 1930s fashion trends. The women wear large gowns with puffed sleeves, ruffles, ribbons, and lace. The men wear frock coats, cravats, breeches, and boots. The hairstyles are also more elaborate and curly than the simple buns and ponytails of the Regency era.
The sets are more lavish and spacious than the ones described in Austen's novel. They are decorated with paintings, sculptures, furniture, curtains, carpets, and chandeliers. The movie uses several locations in England and California to create the different settings of the story, such as Longbourn, Netherfield Park, Rosings Park, Pemberley, and London.
The music is composed by Herbert Stothart, who won an Oscar for his score for The Wizard of Oz (1939). The music is mostly orchestral and classical, with some songs from the period. The music enhances the mood and atmosphere of the scenes, as well as the emotions of the characters.
The cinematography is done by Karl Freund, who was known for his work on horror films such as Dracula (1931) and The Mummy (1932). The cinematography uses different techniques such as lighting, shadows, close-ups, and camera movements to create different effects and moods. The cinematography also uses color filters to distinguish between the indoor and outdoor scenes, as well as between the different seasons.
Themes
The movie explores the same themes as Austen's novel, such as pride, prejudice, love, marriage, class, and family. However, the movie also adds some elements that reflect the time and place of its production. For example:
The movie emphasizes the romantic aspect of the story more than the social and moral one. The movie focuses on the chemistry and attraction between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, rather than on their character development and growth. The movie also adds some scenes that are not in the novel, such as a dance between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, a kiss between Jane and Mr. Bingley, and a final embrace between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.
The movie softens some of the satire and criticism of Austen's novel. The movie portrays the characters and situations in a more sympathetic and humorous way, rather than in a sharp and ironic way. The movie also changes some of the dialogue and events to make them more appealing and less controversial for the audience. For instance, Mr. Collins is less obnoxious and more comic, Lady Catherine is less rude and more eccentric, and Mr. Darcy is less arrogant and more charming.
The movie reflects some of the values and ideals of American culture in 1940. The movie celebrates individualism, freedom, democracy, and optimism, rather than tradition, hierarchy, aristocracy, and cynicism. The movie also shows some of the influences of World War II, such as patriotism, courage, sacrifice, and unity. For example, Mr. Darcy is shown as a generous benefactor who helps the poor and supports the war effort, while Wickham is shown as a traitor who joins the enemy.
Trivia
Here are some interesting facts and anecdotes about the movie's production and reception:
The movie was originally planned to be directed by George Cukor, who had worked with Garson and Olivier before. However, he left the project due to creative differences with producer Hunt Stromberg. He was replaced by Robert Z. Leonard, who had directed several musicals for MGM.
The movie was also originally planned to star Norma Shearer as Elizabeth Bennet and Clark Gable as Mr. Darcy. However, Shearer declined the role after her husband Irving Thalberg died in 1936, and Gable was not interested in playing a period character. Garson and Olivier were then cast as the leads.
The movie was shot in black-and-white, but it was later colorized in 1986 by Turner Entertainment. The colorization process was controversial among fans and critics, who argued that it altered the original artistic vision of the filmmakers.
The movie was a commercial success at the box office, earning $2.8 million in its initial release. It was also a critical success, receiving positive reviews from most critics. It won an Academy Award for Best Art Direction (Black-and-White), and was nominated for Best Picture.
The movie is considered one of the best adaptations of Pride and Prejudice by many fans and scholars. However, it is also criticized by some purists for deviating from Austen's novel in many ways.
Conclusion
Pride and Prejudice (1940) is a classic movie adaptation of Jane Austen's novel that showcases the talents of Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier as Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. The movie is a delightful comedy of manners that captures the spirit and charm of Austen's story, while also adding some elements that reflect its own time and place. The movie is a feast for the eyes with its costumes, sets, music, and cinematography. The movie is also a witty and insightful commentary on the themes and messages of Austen's novel, such as pride, prejudice, love, marriage, class, and family. The movie is a must-watch for any fan of Pride and Prejudice, or anyone who enjoys a good romantic comedy.
FAQs
Here are some answers to some common questions about the movie:
Q: How faithful is the movie to the novel?
A: The movie is faithful to the novel in terms of the main plot and characters, but it also makes some changes and omissions. Some of the changes are due to the adaptation from a book to a film, such as condensing some scenes, dialogues, and subplots. Some of the changes are due to the artistic choices of the filmmakers, such as altering some costumes, settings, and events. Some of the changes are due to the historical and cultural context of the movie, such as reflecting some values and ideals of 1940 America.
Q: What are some of the differences between the movie and the novel?
A: Some of the differences are:
The movie is set in 1835, rather than 1813.
The movie omits some characters and scenes from the novel, such as Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Lady Anne Darcy, Mr. Hurst, Kitty's and Mary's suitors, Elizabeth's visit to Pemberley, Lydia's elopement scandal, etc.
The movie changes some characters and scenes from the novel, such as Mr. Collins being less obnoxious and more comic, Lady Catherine being less rude and more eccentric, Mr. Darcy being less arrogant and more charming, etc.
The movie adds some characters and scenes that are not in the novel, such as a dance between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, a kiss between Jane and Mr. Bingley, a final embrace between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, etc.
Q: Who are the actors and filmmakers of the movie?
A: The main actors and filmmakers of the movie are:
Greer Garson as Elizabeth Bennet
Laurence Olivier as Mr. Darcy
Maureen O'Sullivan as Jane Bennet
Ann Rutherford as Lydia Bennet
Mary Boland as Mrs. Bennet
Edmund Gwenn as Mr. Bennet
Frieda Inescort as Caroline Bingley
Melville Cooper as Mr. Collins
Edna May Oliver as Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Bruce Lester as Mr. Bingley
Robert Z. Leonard as director
Aldous Huxley and Jane Murfin as screenwriters
Hunt Stromberg as producer
Herbert Stothart as composer
Karl Freund as cinematographer
Q: How can I watch the movie online for free?
A: You can watch the movie online for free on YouTube or iPlayer. You can find it by searching for "Pride and Prejudice 1940 full movie" or by clicking on these links: [Pride and Prejudice 1940 full movie] or [Pride and Prejudice 1940]. However, you will need to have a UK TV licence to access iPlayer.
Q: What are some other adaptations of Pride and Prejudice?
A: There are many other adaptations of Pride and Prejudice in different media formats, such as films, TV series, books, plays, musicals, games, etc. Some of the most famous and popular ones are: - Pride and Prejudice (1995), a TV series by BBC, starring Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet and Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. It is widely regarded as the most faithful and accurate adaptation of the novel, as well as the most iconic one. - Pride and Prejudice (2005), a film by Joe Wright, starring Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy. It is a more modern and cinematic adaptation of the novel, with a focus on the emotional and romantic aspects of the story. - Bridget Jones's Diary (2001), a film by Sharon Maguire, starring Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones and Colin Firth as Mark Darcy. It is a loose and humorous adaptation of the novel, set in contemporary London, with Bridget Jones as a single woman who keeps a diary of her love life. - Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016), a film by Burr Steers, starring Lily James as Elizabeth Bennet and Sam Riley as Mr. Darcy. It is a parody and mashup of the novel, with zombies added to the plot, creating a horror comedy genre. - The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (2012-2013), a web series by Hank Green and Bernie Su, starring Ashley Clements as Lizzie Bennet and Daniel Vincent Gordh as William Darcy. It is a modern and innovative adaptation of the novel, told through vlogs, social media, and transmedia storytelling. I hope you enjoyed reading this article about Pride and Prejudice (1940), a classic romance on screen. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them with me. I would love to hear from you. 44f88ac181