HD DVD Review: Pride and Prejudice

Keira Knightley in Pride and Prejudice.

THE MOVIE: 4 1/2 stars out of 5

This 2005 film adaptation of the Jane Austin novel of the same name stars Keira Knightley in the lead role of Elizabeth Bennet, one of five daughters of the Bennet family living outside of London. The Bennet family is one of let's say, modest means. The whole point of the film it seems, consists of the trials and travails of the Bennet family in trying to marry off their oldest daughters to men of means. However, when Elizabeth meets Mr. Darcy, played by Matthew Macfadyen, she belives that he is the last man on earth she would ever marry. Needless to say, as the film progresses, she comes to change her mind. The film also stars Donald Suttherland as Mr. Bennet and Judith Dench as the loathsome Lady Catherine.

Clearly a chick flick, the acting in this film is first rate from the entire cast. Although a slow paced film, the story unfolds before you and gives you the opportunity to think along with the characters, a rare opportunity these days. I rather enjoyed the film as the acting and storytelling is superb as is the musical score. Well done and highly recommended.

THE VIDEO-: 4 3/4 stars out of 5

This is an excellent transfer from Universal. Encoded with VC-1 and presented in its original aspect ratio of 2:35:1, this film looks marvelous. The cinematography is wonderful and totally captures the look and feel of the English countryside. The colors in this film are beautiful and I particularly enjoyed the way the director used sunlight to set the mood of many scenes and to light the faces of the actors. This transfer captured the colors perfectly. The skintones are spot on as is the color of the trees, grass, lakes and hillsides. Black level and shadow detail was excellent and the details in each scene were rendered to perfection, from the lettering on the books in a bookcase to the lettering on the pages of a book, to the blue painted walls in the Bennet home. The visual presentation of this film is not in your face but very subtle and very effective. Some scenes look a tad soft but this appears to be the intent of the director. This is a marvelous looking film and an excellent transfer.

THE AUDIO: 4 3/4 stars out of 5

I enjoyed the audio presentation on this disc as much as the video. Presented in Dolby True HD, this film sounds fantastic as well. Dialogue is clear and rich and perfectly placed in the mix. While it is primarily a dialogue driven film, the surrounds are used appropriately and effectively. A perfect example is the ball at the beginning of the film. The sound of the ballroom envelops you and makes you feel as if you are in the room. The classical music used throughout the film sounds fantastic, with a very open, smooth and spacious sound with the various instruments layered in the front of the soundstage with a tremendous sense of depth. As far as I was concerned, the presentation of the musical score was the highlight of the audio track. Very well done.

IN CONCLUSION

I can highly recommend this film for fans of great acting, storytelling and cinematography. I didn’t know what to expect when I popped this disc in for a spin but was pleasantly surprised with the results. Highly recommended.

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