Oh, hello 2022. I was too busy getting over Covid to notice your entrance. I was very lucky and had a mild breakthrough case that did no worse than rob me of my sense of smell and confine me to bed for a day or two.
I’m on the mend now, but I just had to share a lovely discovery I made while convalescing. In Love and War is a Hallmark movie (stay with me) that follows the story of a young Brit in Italy near the end of World War II.
There is adventure, intrigue, and of course romance. It’s a fairly realistic depiction of Italy towards the end of the war without being unbelievably depressing. Callum Blue is adorable and the Italian countryside is gorgeous. Plus, it’s based on a true story!
So, if you need a sweet romantic movie to watch, I highly recommend In Love and War. Go Hallmark, go.
This old fashioned greeting is having a bit of a moment. I hope, dear readers, that you and your families are all in excellent health.
This past February, before social distancing hit us in the gut, my parents took me and my own Mr Tilney to see the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s new play based on Pride and Prejudice. It was so lovely, I wrote a whole post about it.
This experience got me thinking about other adaptations. I started watching my favorites, sharing them with the kids for the first time. My son’s favorite is Bride & Prejudice, a Bollywood-esque production that is just so much fun. My daughter Evy loves the 1995 BBC production, which happens to be my husband’s favorite as well. We tried to watch the 2005 movie, but Evy was so put off by the costumes, settings, and lack of gloves that she gave up halfway through.
“Is she wearing her underwear??” – My scandalized daughter
Last night I completed my first viewing of the 1980 BBC adaptation. I was pleasantly surprised! The script is very close to the 1995 version. The costumes are well done, and the main actors were very convincing in their roles. Although, as my husband observed, there is way too much inner monologue. Picture Elizabeth looking at something while her voice-over fills us in on all her thoughts. Hey, it was the 80’s after all.
Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul as Elizabeth and Darcy in the 1980 BBC adaptation.
Next up for me is the 1940 film with Laurence Olivier playing Darcy. I don’t think I’ve ever watched Olivier in anything…I know that’s a bit shocking. The costumes are just completely wrong, and it all seems to be set in the Victorian era, but I’m flexible. Give me good Darcy and Elizabeth interactions and I’ll be set.
Her dress is lovely, but this could be a scene from Gone With the Wind.
You know what I really want to find? An anime version of Pride & Prejudice. I did find a manga, so that’s a start. What about you? Which are your favorites?
Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen in Pride & Prejudice, 2005
It’s been too long
It’s time for a new cinematic adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. The 2005 film was over ten years ago! I’ve seen information about an iTV version made within the last couple of years, but I have yet to find the actual miniseries anywhere. I’ve watched and re-watched all my favorites, but I’m hungry for a new version.
A humble suggestion
This man, Mr. Tom Hiddleston, could be perfect for the role of Darcy, don’t you think? Oh my goodness. He is, in fact, a superb actor. Have you seen The Hollow Crown? If not, you should check it out. So good.
But who should play Lizzy? Miss Elizabeth Bennet must be such a hard role to play. She is so beloved by so many. Emma Watson, perhaps?
Brigid Huey 