‘Pride and Prejudice’: Two centuries of bewitching audiences, body and soul
By Scarlett Rose Binder - News Editor on April 25, 2025
Graphic by Audrey Garcia
In a world where invitations to elaborate balls are few and far between, a movie ticket might be the next best thing, especially when “Pride and Prejudice” is on the marquee.
The beloved 2005 adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic returned to theaters last weekend for its 20th anniversary, bringing generations of fans together to experience true enemies-to-lovers excellence on the big screen.
It doesn’t matter that many audience members already know the movie by heart. Something about a cherry Coke and buttery popcorn makes everything more magical.
Besides, Mr. Darcy saying, “You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you,” never really gets old.
Cue the words of affirmation girlies swooning in their cinema seats.
Dialogue like this is just one part of the film’s charm. “Pride and Prejudice” boasts all the ingredients of a cinematic masterpiece: a sweeping score, stunning cinematography and a standout cast led by Keira Knightley as heroine Elizabeth Bennet.
And let’s be honest: no one does period dramas like Knightley.
Still, there’s no denying the true source of the movie’s enduring success. As with any book-to-movie adaptation, the filmmakers were handed an explicit recipe for greatness. What sets them apart is their groundbreaking decision to actually follow it.
Austen was one of the greatest storytellers of her time, and “Pride and Prejudice” is arguably her most iconic work.
The novel was a quietly radical critique of class and gender. It dared to depict two people falling in love at a time when marriage was more an economic proposition than a romantic one. It imagined a man meeting his equal in a woman who sought agency in her own life.
“Pride and Prejudice” was a rom-com before rom-coms were really a thing.
First published in 1813, the story has stood the test of time, not just for two decades but for more than two centuries. The 2005 film was not the first reimagining of Austen’s seminal work, and it certainly won’t be the last.
Earlier this month, Netflix announced plans for an upcoming ‘Pride and Prejudice’ series, proof that, after all this time, we’re still bewitched by the tale of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.
Here’s the cliff notes: They meet, instantly loathe each other based on weakly founded prejudices, spend a great deal of time denying their blatant chemistry and are ultimately forced to swallow their pride when they inevitably fall in love.
Shocking, right? And yet, we eat it up every time.
The Netflix series will stretch this love story across six episodes, with Emma Corrin and Jack Lowden in the lead roles.
These young stars have a considerable legacy to uphold. While Corrin’s portrayal of Princess Diana in “The Crown” is encouraging, it’s still difficult to imagine them as the face of another famous female role model.
The bigger question, though, is whether another “Pride and Prejudice” adaptation is even necessary. The 2005 film remains a clear hit, pulling in $2.7 million domestically during the opening weekend of its anniversary re-release.
It’s far from broken. So, why try to fix it?
Netflix’s promise that the show “will be a faithful, classic adaptation of the novel” offers some consolation. But, with love from someone who read “Pride and Prejudice” first in fourth grade and again in high school, I’ll believe it when I see it.
Across all iterations, regardless of personal preference, the lasting significance of “Pride and Prejudice” remains undeniable.
After all, there is no enjoyment like a good love story, and “Pride and Prejudice” is certainly that. Be it universally acknowledged or not, it’s absolutely true.
‘Pride and Prejudice’: Two centuries of bewitching audiences, body and soul
In a world where invitations to elaborate balls are few and far between, a movie ticket might be the next best thing, especially when “Pride and Prejudice” is on the marquee.
The beloved 2005 adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic returned to theaters last weekend for its 20th anniversary, bringing generations of fans together to experience true enemies-to-lovers excellence on the big screen.
It doesn’t matter that many audience members already know the movie by heart. Something about a cherry Coke and buttery popcorn makes everything more magical.
Besides, Mr. Darcy saying, “You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you,” never really gets old.
Cue the words of affirmation girlies swooning in their cinema seats.
Dialogue like this is just one part of the film’s charm. “Pride and Prejudice” boasts all the ingredients of a cinematic masterpiece: a sweeping score, stunning cinematography and a standout cast led by Keira Knightley as heroine Elizabeth Bennet.
And let’s be honest: no one does period dramas like Knightley.
Still, there’s no denying the true source of the movie’s enduring success. As with any book-to-movie adaptation, the filmmakers were handed an explicit recipe for greatness. What sets them apart is their groundbreaking decision to actually follow it.
Austen was one of the greatest storytellers of her time, and “Pride and Prejudice” is arguably her most iconic work.
The novel was a quietly radical critique of class and gender. It dared to depict two people falling in love at a time when marriage was more an economic proposition than a romantic one. It imagined a man meeting his equal in a woman who sought agency in her own life.
“Pride and Prejudice” was a rom-com before rom-coms were really a thing.
First published in 1813, the story has stood the test of time, not just for two decades but for more than two centuries. The 2005 film was not the first reimagining of Austen’s seminal work, and it certainly won’t be the last.
Earlier this month, Netflix announced plans for an upcoming ‘Pride and Prejudice’ series, proof that, after all this time, we’re still bewitched by the tale of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.
Here’s the cliff notes: They meet, instantly loathe each other based on weakly founded prejudices, spend a great deal of time denying their blatant chemistry and are ultimately forced to swallow their pride when they inevitably fall in love.
Shocking, right? And yet, we eat it up every time.
The Netflix series will stretch this love story across six episodes, with Emma Corrin and Jack Lowden in the lead roles.
These young stars have a considerable legacy to uphold. While Corrin’s portrayal of Princess Diana in “The Crown” is encouraging, it’s still difficult to imagine them as the face of another famous female role model.
The bigger question, though, is whether another “Pride and Prejudice” adaptation is even necessary. The 2005 film remains a clear hit, pulling in $2.7 million domestically during the opening weekend of its anniversary re-release.
It’s far from broken. So, why try to fix it?
Netflix’s promise that the show “will be a faithful, classic adaptation of the novel” offers some consolation. But, with love from someone who read “Pride and Prejudice” first in fourth grade and again in high school, I’ll believe it when I see it.
Across all iterations, regardless of personal preference, the lasting significance of “Pride and Prejudice” remains undeniable.
After all, there is no enjoyment like a good love story, and “Pride and Prejudice” is certainly that. Be it universally acknowledged or not, it’s absolutely true.