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MASTERPIECE THEATRE: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE {PART 1 OF 5} (TV)

Summary

One in this ongoing series of dramas presented under the umbrella of "Masterpiece Theatre." This program is a five-part adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel “Pride and Prejudice.” The first part begins as host Alistair Cooke introduces the program and offers background about Austen’s life and work. In the episode, the Bennet family is excited to learn that an eligible gentleman, Charles Bingley, is soon to arrive at the nearby manor of Netherfield. Elizabeth and her friend Charlotte Lucas discuss love and marriage, with Elizabeth pointing out that her parents are a less than ideal match. Indeed, the high-strung Mrs. Bennet dithers excitedly about the young man’s arrival, whereas Mr. Bennet merely says that he will consent for Bingley to marry any of his five daughters, if he so chooses, declaring all of them except Elizabeth to be “silly.” When the family gathers in the evening, Mr. Bennet teases the bookish Mary and then reveals that he journeyed to Netherfield and met Bingley, explaining that he is young and handsome and will soon have a ball, which thrills the girls. Some time later, the girls prepare for the ball along with Charlotte and Lady Lucas, who suggests that the Bennet girls might not be high-class enough for Bingley, but Mrs. Bennet dismisses this. At the dance, the Bennet sisters see Bingley as well as his daughters and his good friend, the wealthy and “very proud” Mr. Darcy. Mrs. Bennet instantly dislikes the man for his distant nature, and Elizabeth soon overhears him making rude comments about the guests, saying that she herself is “not handsome enough to tempt” him. At home, Jane has only nice things to say about Bingley and his sisters, and Elizabeth points out that she is too kind, and they wonder why a friendly person like Bingley would be friends with the taciturn Darcy.

At Netherfield, Bingley expresses his fondness for the home and also for Jane, although his sisters’ comments about her are less than friendly. The Bennet girls consider that Darcy has “a right to be proud,” and Elizabeth deems pride a “common failing.” At another party, Elizabeth tells Charlotte that she does not care for finding a rich husband, and confronts Darcy boldly when she realizes that he is eavesdropping. Jane and Bingley continue to bond as Elizabeth plays the piano and sings, observed closely by Darcy. Mary attempts to perform music as well, although she is less well-received. Darcy appears to reconsider his opinion of Elizabeth, but is distracted by an ominous comment about Elizabeth’s mother from Bingley’s sister Caroline. Later, Charlotte frets to Elizabeth about not having found a husband at age twenty-seven, and Jane receives an invitation to visit Netherfield again. She goes on horseback and soon catches a chill, extending her stay at Netherfield, much to her mother’s delight. Elizabeth decides to visit her and walk the three-mile distance, and Bingley’s sisters are scandalized by her bedraggled appearance when she arrives. Elizabeth attempts to socialize with the Bingleys and Darcy, but finds them disagreeable as they debate what it means for a woman to be “accomplished.” She tells Jane that they are “monsters,” and they mock her behind her back for her unrefined nature, although Bingley defends her. Darcy points out that despite Jane’s positive qualities, she is a somewhat unsuitable marriage candidate because of her low family.

Mrs. Bennet and the other girls come to Netherfield and they debate the merits of city living versus country, and Mrs. Bennet criticizes Charlotte Lucas while shamelessly promoting Jane in front of Bingley. Later, Darcy cracks wise about the girls’ social customs as Caroline annoys him with chatter, and Elizabeth banters expertly with him, accusing him of hating everyone. He, in turn, replies that she misunderstands most people. Jane and Elizabeth finally depart Netherfield, much to Elizabeth’s relief, and Caroline pretends to have “enjoyed their company.” The sisters return home and hear the latest gossip, although both Bingley and Darcy appear to be preoccupied with their departure. Commercials deleted.

Details

  • NETWORK: PBS WGBH Boston, MA
  • DATE: October 26, 1980 9:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 0:58:41
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T86:1172
  • GENRE: Drama
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Literature - Adaptations
  • SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1971-
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • Jonathan Powell … Producer
  • Joan Wilson … Producer
  • Cyril Coke … Director
  • Jane Austen … Writer, Based on the novel by
  • Fay Weldon … Writer, Adapted by
  • Wilfred Josephs … Music by
  • Alistair Cooke … Host
  • Elizabeth Garvie … Cast, Miss Elizabeth Bennet
  • David Rintoul … Cast, Mr. Darcy
  • Moray Watson … Cast, Mr. Bennet
  • Priscilla Morgan … Cast, Mrs. Bennet
  • Sabina Franklyn … Cast, Miss Jane Bennet
  • Irene Richard … Cast, Miss Charlotte Lucas
  • Osmund Bullock … Cast, Mr. Bingley
  • Marsha Fitzalan … Cast, Miss Caroline Bingley
  • Natalie Ogle … Cast, Miss Lydia Bennet
  • Tessa Peake-Jones … Cast, Miss Mary Bennet
  • Peter Howell … Cast, Sir William Lucas
  • Elizabeth Stewart … Cast, Lady Lucas
  • Claire Higgins … Cast, Miss Kitty Bennet
  • Edward Arthur … Cast, Mr. Hurst
  • Jennifer Granville … Cast, Mrs. Hurst
  • Andrew Johns … Cast, Captain Denny