Pride and Prejudice

1940
Approved
1h 58m

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

9.4K

YOUR RATING

Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson in Pride and Prejudice (1940)

Play trailer2:39

1 Video

99+ Photos

Comedy Drama Romance

The arrival of wealthy bachelors in town causes an uproar when families with single daughters aggressively seek engagements, including the Bennet family, with five eligible daughters.The arrival of wealthy bachelors in town causes an uproar when families with single daughters aggressively seek engagements, including the Bennet family, with five eligible daughters.The arrival of wealthy bachelors in town causes an uproar when families with single daughters aggressively seek engagements, including the Bennet family, with five eligible daughters.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

9.4K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 2 wins total

Trivia
According to Ann Rutherford, although the filmmakers were committed to begin shooting on a particular date, they discovered that producer David O. Selznick had used every available reel of Technicolor film in existence to make Gone with the Wind (1939). Therefore, despite the lavish sets and opulent costumes, this movie had to be shot in black-and-white.

Goofs
Mrs. Bennet is seen steaming open the letter to Jane from Caroline Bingley. The envelope is a modern-day, gummed envelope fit for stationery letters. In 1815, the year the film takes place, letters would have been folded in and sealed with a wax seal. Gummed envelopes would not be invented for another 100 years.

Quotes
Mr. Bennet: An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins. And I will never see you again if you do.

Crazy credits
Opening credits prologue: It happened in OLD ENGLAND . . . . in the village of Meryton . . . .

Alternate versions
There is an Italian edition of this film on DVD, distributed by DNA Srl: "CIME TEMPESTOSE (1939) + ORGOGLIO E PREGIUDIZIO (1940)" (2 Films on a single DVD), re-edited with the contribution of film historian Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available for streaming on some platforms.

Connections
Featured in Hollywood: Style Center of the World (1940)

Soundtracks
Flow Gently Sweet Afton
(1786) (uncredited)
Music by Alexander Hume
Lyrics by Robert Burns (1786)
Performed by Marsha Hunt

User reviews167

Review

Featured review

7/10

The original is the best

Pride and Prejudice is a familiar story - if not read in high school literature class, one can see the theme in dozens of other films: A meddling mother tries to marry off her daughter(s) to "suitable" man, the man and woman fight and all turns out at the end with mayhem ensuing between the first and final acts.

There have been several versions of Pride and Prejudice, two of which I had seen before this film and after viewing the 1940 version starring Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier it is clear that this is the standard. Is there a better actor than Olivier in these period dramas? And Greer Garson is radiant as Elizabeth. Their performances and the pace of the film is such that while I knew the story I was still sucked into the romance and laughter - not an easy task for a hard-core cynic like me. This movie garnered 4 stars and for good reason - if you are looking for a charming, witty and romantic film, this is a must-see.

--Shelly