This period drama has been listed as the “best” on IMDb with fans calling it a “timeless masterpiece” – and it is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Pride and Prejudice was released in 1995 and is based on the novel of the same name by Jane Austen.
The series synopsis reads: “Set in England in the early 19th century, Pride and Prejudice tells the story of Mr and Mrs Bennet’s five unmarried daughters after the rich and eligible Mr Bingley and his status-conscious friend, Mr Darcy, have moved into their neighbourhood. While Bingley takes an immediate liking to the eldest Bennet daughter, Jane, Darcy has difficulty adapting to local society and repeatedly clashes with the second-eldest Bennet daughter, Elizabeth.” The TV mini series was directed by Simon Langton and stars Colin Firth as Mr Darcy opposite Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet.
The series tops IMDb’s ‘The Best Period Dramas’ list over 1995’s Sense and Sensibility and 2007’s Persuasion.
Pride and Prejudice gets 8.8/10 on IMDb and 96% from Rotten Tomatoes audience members.
A Google reviewer said: “I have watched it countless times over the past 20 years. I have watched every adaptation of this novel, but this, for me, is superior to all others, in every way.
“It’s a timeless masterpiece which must be watched and experienced.”
The series has received huge amounts of critical acclaim and tops many period drama lists.
“Absolutely fantastic piece of work. Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle give an amazing performance, and you can feel all the emotion that was meant to be there. This did absolute justice to the book and it’s so enjoyable,” said another Google reviewer.
An article by Vox highlighted the series as “the best adaptation of the book ever made” and highlighted a scene that was replicated later in Bridget Jones Diary where Firth plays Mark Darcy, a love interest of Bridget’s.
Vox said: “The BBC version gave viewers what the Guardian called “one of the most unforgettable moments in British TV history”: Firth’s Mr. Darcy emerging, dripping wet, from a lake — only to encounter a shocked Elizabeth Bennet.”
Pride and Prejudice is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.