Pride and Prejudice (1940)

The arrival of Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy in Meryton throws the Bennet family—five spirited daughters and their anxious mother—into a whirl of excitement and expectation. While the match between Mr. Bingley and the eldest daughter, Jane, seems imminent, the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth faces challenges from their very first meeting. Yet when they manage to see beyond one’s pride and the other’s prejudice, they may find happiness and a path to each other. Pride and Prejudice has been adapted for film and television many times. The 1995 BBC adaptation is widely regarded as the most faithful to the original, remaining a firm favorite, while the 1940 version, from Hollywood’s Golden Age, offers a distinctive and delightful alternative. Viewers who surrender to its classic cinematic charm and overlook its departures from Regency-era authenticity will find a captivating adaptation that preserves Jane Austen’s spirit, sharp humor, and the enduring human tensions at the heart of her work.