Netflix fans have only a handful of days left to catch a 'perfect' Jane Austen adaptation before it is removed from the streaming platform. The popular service offers a wide range of films and TV shows, but one period drama in particular has become a firm favourite among countless viewers. However, Pride and Prejudice, the 2005 adaptation of Jane Austen's iconic 1813 novel, will be taken off Netflix on June 20.
A Beloved Adaptation
The film stars Keira Knightley as the beloved literary heroine Elizabeth Bennet, alongside Matthew Macfadyen as Mr Darcy. It marked Joe Wright's feature-length directorial debut, with a screenplay penned by Deborah Moggach. At the time of her casting, Knightley was riding high on the success of Pirates of the Caribbean, while Macfadyen was relatively unknown. Nevertheless, the film proved a considerable commercial triumph, earning $121.6 million at the worldwide box office against a $28 million budget.
Plot and Reception
Set in late 18th-century England, the story follows the Bennet family—Mr and Mrs Bennet and their five daughters, Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia—and their pursuit of suitable, socially respectable matches. Knightley's Elizabeth first meets Macfadyen's Mr Darcy at a ball, where she immediately takes a dislike to him, believing him arrogant and snobbish. Throughout the film, the pair clash and exchange sharp words, with Elizabeth remaining unimpressed by her perception of Mr Darcy. Yet Mr Darcy finds himself falling for her and, in one of the film's most memorable lines, declares: 'I love you. Most ardently. Please do me the honour of accepting my hand.'
The 2005 film holds an impressive score of 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics applauding the casting, direction, and dedication to the themes and subtleties of the cherished novel. One reviewer wrote: 'Between the perfect casting, Wright's excellent directing, the memorable romantic moments, and the well-developed themes, it's practically impossible not to fall in love with it.' Another added: 'Between Wright's magnetically captivating vision and the impeccable performances, Pride and Prejudice 2005 shines as a leading benchmark of a breathtaking adaptation.'
Pride and Prejudice leaves Netflix on June 20. Don't miss your chance to watch this timeless tale.
