I recently bought the DVD of the new adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Yes, even this Blaze author loves Jane Austen. Like other movie-goers, I did go to see it in the theater. I didn’t know what to expect as I was captivated by the A&E version and the delectable Colin Firth. The adaptations of Austen’s novels have so far worked well in Hollywood, Sense and Sensibilities was simply wonderful. There were mixed reviews about this movie, but were some of the critics guilty of their own pride and prejudice?
But first I should talk about how I got hooked on the Regency as a genre. When my critique partner Diane Perkins first joined my critique group, she was writing contemporaries and trying to get published. My other critique partner and I thought her books were wonderful and encouraged her during our bi-monthly meetings. Yet, she couldn’t sell. Then she decided to try her hand at Regencies as she was a big fan of Georgette Heyer. Well, her contemporaries were good, but her Regencies had what I would call the WOW factor. It didn’t take her long to start winning contests including the Golden Heart (twice) with a book that was rejected by editors because it had a beautiful young gentlewoman driven by circumstances to become essentially a prostitute whose favors are “won” by patrons of her evil protector’s gaming hell. With the second Golden Heart win, The Mysterious Miss M caught the eye of a Mills & Boon editor who judged the contest. Needless to say, the rest is history.
I’m telling you this story because I really do have a point. I was first introduced to the Regency by Diane. I love them, especially her books. She was the one who suggested that I see the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice. Of course, I was so enamored of her books, I thought seeing a movie would be wonderful. I was right. Once I saw P&P, I had to go onto other movies like Sense and Sensibilities, The Importance of Being Ernest, and Emma.
The new version of Pride and Prejudice came under fire by Austen purists and Regency experts. Even in Diane’s own circle of Regency writers opinions were split. Some people disliked Matthew MacFadyen’s portrayal, thought the family looked so dirty, Bingley entering Jane’s room without knocking, Lady Catherine’s nighttime visit to name a few.
But from the standpoint of a romance writer and not a movie-goer, I have to say that any medium that introduces such a wonderful love story to people new to Regency so much so that they get hooked and have to pick up a Regency novel to get a fix, I say who cares if the filmmakers took a few liberties. It was an adaptation after all.
I don’t think Jane Austen would turn over in her grave. I think she would applaud the attempt to draw in new fans and feed that forever gnawing need for romance. It gives us hope, makes us smile when Lizzie gives Darcy his comeuppance and sigh while they kiss in the morning mists of the film’s closing scenes. Ah, after that wonderful last scene of the movie where Mr. Darcy asks Elizabeth what he is to call her when he is cross—Mrs. Darcy? and she responds by telling him that, “No, you may only call me Mrs. Darcy when you’re completely, perfectly and incandesantly happy.” Then he kisses her and calls her Mrs. Darcy until the film fades to black. Sigh.
Go ahead. You know you want to run out and buy a Regency.
What did you all think of the movie? Where you intrigued by it enough to pick up a Regency? I’ll give away one of my signed novels and one of Diane’s signed novels to one poster.
Best,
Karen
www.karenanders.com
P.S. Diane writes Regency set historicals for Mills & Boon under Diane Gaston and for Warner under Diane Perkins. All her books are wonderful. She is a 2006 RITA finalist which is the Romance Writers of America highest award.
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I have the movie, but have not yet watched it. 
However, I love regencies…both the books and the films set during this time period. Based on the ads, clips, and discussions that I have seen about the new P&P film, I am sure that I will enjoy it. I read regencies anyway (along with many more subgenres of romance), but the film just may make me want to read another one soon. Hmm…may have to watch the film this weekend…you have me intrigued.
by Jennifer Yates
on April 6th, 2006 at 11:15 pm
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I haven’t seen this movie yet but the DH has an upcoming business trip so I’m thinking that’s the time to rent or borrow it from a friend. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about it, and having never read the book, it will be a completely new experience for me.
by Marilyn
on April 6th, 2006 at 11:15 pm
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I haven’t seen the movie yet, either. I love Regencies and historicals.
by R. Marie
on April 6th, 2006 at 11:36 pm
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Isn’t that a great ending to the film; I love it. I love reading all kinds of
romance including regencies and historicals.
by Robyn
on April 6th, 2006 at 11:37 pm
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Hey, I’ve never been the subject of a blog before! And in the same company with Matthew Macfadyen and Colin Firth! Karen has been such a help and inspiration to me. She lives inside every love scene I write, because it is from Karen that I learned to write a sexy but interesting love scene.
I went to see the Pride & Prejudice movie four times when it was in theatres and I had it pre-ordered for ages. I love the period detail in the film, even if they got a few pieces of it wrong - Lizzie not wearing gloves at the ball, for example. The movie “felt” right to me. The last scene that Karen mentioned, the “Mrs. Darcy” scene, was not in the UK or Australian releases, which ended with Donald Sutherland saying, “I am quite at my leisure.”. It was added for American audiences, feeling American audiences needed the romantic closure. British moviegoers complained so much that they didn’t get to see it, that the movie with new ending was re-released for another limited run in the UK. That scene is filmed at Chatsworth, home of the Duke of Devonshire and long thought to be Jane Austen’s inspiration for Pemberley in Pride & Prejudice. There really is a sculpture room at Chatsworth, but Matthew Macfadyen’s marble bust is not there! The other statues are, though.
Can you tell I love the Regency too???
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Thanks Diane for sharing those little tidbits. I find trivia things like that fascinating. I would love to visit the UK someday.
by Jennifer Yates
on April 7th, 2006 at 1:56 am
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I haven’t seen it so far, because I prefer to watch the English orginal version and not the German translation, but I am great Regency fan. I really love to read books set in this this era.
by Danny
on April 7th, 2006 at 3:16 am
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I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I do like Regency.:grin:
by Minna
on April 7th, 2006 at 4:30 am
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Karen,
Let me just say that I grew up on ‘Pride and Prejudice’. I have read and seen all the versions even that with a bollywood twist called ‘Bride Prejudice’. Even though, I am a rabid Frith fan of the BBC miniseries I love the youthful take on this movie. I can talk about P & P all day long. All versions are good with their different views. I love watching movies made on books. I did pick up the book for a re-read after I finished watching the movie.
I would pick up a Regency anytime. I love reading.
by Mahaira
on April 7th, 2006 at 5:12 am
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I haven’t seen the movie yet but you make a good point to do so. I do enjoy Regencies as they are a nice change periodically. Many wonderful authors have started out writing Regencies and there are many who are still doing so.
by Maureen
on April 7th, 2006 at 5:35 am
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I haven’t seen the movie yet. It sounds great. I love Regency books. 
by Crystal B.
on April 7th, 2006 at 7:17 am
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I bought the movie myself but have not seen it yet. I also own the Colin Firth A&E version of Pride & Prejudice which was excellent. I have always loved reading regencies and that will never end. That is why when one of these regency inspired movies comes out I usually buy it. That is also why when the more recent versions of Sense and Sensibility, Emma and Mansfield Park came out I had to buy them as well as the very recent release of Pride and Prejudice. I am just hopelessly hooked on Jane Austen and on the regency period.
by Cherie Japp
on April 7th, 2006 at 8:46 am
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I haven’t seen the movie yet but now I want to! I’ve always enjoyed regencies.
by Carol
on April 7th, 2006 at 9:45 am
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I like to read regency and historical books too!! I know I might even learn a history fact or two from them:smile:
I have not seen the new movie of Pride & Prejudice but not I want to!!
by Kathleen
on April 7th, 2006 at 11:03 am
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I really liked the movie! Kiera did a wonderful portrayel of Elizabeth. Having read the book and other regencys I noticed some of the mistakes,but they weren’t so great to take away from the movie I thought. The only complaint I had is about the long scenic interludes(I think thats what there called)I thought they were needless to the story. I love regency books too,I enjoy all genres but always have to get a regency when I order my books.
by Dena
on April 7th, 2006 at 11:09 am
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i am not a fan of regency, but i will rent the movie. i love love stories and romance. i enjoy contemp and romantic suspense mostly. i love blaze books and i love give me fever.:grin:
by KIM H
on April 7th, 2006 at 11:30 am
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Regency historicals are like an old friend to me but I don’t get much exposure to traditional Regencies because the bookstores don’t really stock them. I like the new P&P movie and thought Matthew did a pretty good job as Darcy (even though Colin Firth will always be The Mr Darcy for me). My favourite scenes are the dance sequence, the proposal/confrontation scene in the rain and when he helped Kiera into a carriage and then walked back to the house, barley restraining his thrill at having touched her hand. I feel the movie focuses more on comic timing since they don’t have the time to cover all the details. Like you, I try to watch all the screen adaptations of well known Regency classics I can find. Love Sense and Sensibility, The Importance of Being Ernest, and Emma.
by Jenny
on April 7th, 2006 at 1:48 pm
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I have not seen the movie yet but from what everyone is saying I must be missing out on a good movie:smile: I will read a regency or historical everyday…its a chance to go back in time and learn the traditions as aspects of that era.
by Patricia
on April 7th, 2006 at 6:54 pm
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I haven’t seen Pride and Prejudice, but I love Diane’s books. I’ve got the first three and am looking forward to getting the new one at our book signing later this month!
by Gail Barrett
on April 8th, 2006 at 6:14 am
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I haven’t seen Pride and Prejudice yet, but I plan to. I love regency historicals. I am waiting on my mother-in-law to get finished with it, then I plan to borrow it.:mrgreen:
by Tammy G.
on April 8th, 2006 at 7:23 am
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Sounds like there are already a lot of Regency fans here. For those of you who haven’t seen the movie, you will very much enjoy it. Thanks for posting Diane and it’s good to see you here, Gail.
I’ll leave you with one of the most romantic monologues of the movie. Of course, here in words, it a bit static, but the way Matthew M delivers it with his soft voice, ardent eyes, and that lost expression on his face is worth the price of admission.
“You must know… surely, you must know it was all for you. You are too generous to trifle with me. I believe you spoke with my aunt last night, and it has taught me to hope as I’d scarcely allowed myself before. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on.”
Karen
by Karen Anders
on April 8th, 2006 at 8:15 am
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I have the movie here at home but haven’t had a chance to watch it. Hopefully I can find time today or tomorrow. I love regency romance stories and read them all the time.
by KimW
on April 8th, 2006 at 9:27 am
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Karen - I ordered Diane’s “Miss M” book after reading a lot of chatter about it online, and it got here yesterday, whoo-hoo!
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I love both versions of Pride and Prejudice. I thought Colin Firth played it more as an alpha if you will and Matthew MacFadyen’s Mr Darcy was softer, more sensitive. I miss Matthew as Tom Quinn in MI-5 .
by marelou
on April 8th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
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It looks like I’m really in a minority. I have not seen either movie.:oops:
by Joyce
on April 8th, 2006 at 6:47 pm
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I have read quite a few regency books. I like to hear more about that period in time. I thought the movie was wonderful. I want to buy it and watch it several more times.
by Karen G
on April 9th, 2006 at 12:18 pm
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Karen,
I’m with you. I loved the new version of Pride and Prejudice. I like all the other versions I’ve seen of it with the exception of the Grear Garson (I think she’s the one that played it in the 40’s maybe) version where they wore clothes that looked like it was from the 1860’s. I now have three versions of Pride and Prejudice in my video collection and enjoy them for different reasons. I also enjoy Regency era novels. The last few I’ve read were Sabrina Jeffries novels.
Denise A. Agnew
www.deniseagnew.com
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did you pick a winner karen
by KIM H
on April 13th, 2006 at 5:37 pm
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Karen…Who is the winner?
by Tammy G.
on April 14th, 2006 at 7:33 am
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Kim H -
You’re the winner. Sorry that I took so long. I’ll try to be better. Best,
Karen
by Karen Anders
on April 15th, 2006 at 1:27 am
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Alison -
She’s a wonderful writer. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I was lucky to get to critique it.
Best,
Karen
by Karen Anders
on April 15th, 2006 at 1:28 am
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Congrats Kim!
by Carol
on April 16th, 2006 at 8:05 am
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thanks so much karen, i finally won from here.:lol:
by KIM H
on April 17th, 2006 at 10:41 am
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did the movie even come out yet? 
by daniel
on September 4th, 2006 at 5:03 pm
