No matter how good this version of "Pride and Prejudice" is, it cannot be placed among the best versions of the book simply because of the insane way that films were often case during the golden age of Hollywood. MGM cast Greer Garson (36) and Maureen O'Sullivan (29)--who were both way too old for the parts they played--which SHOULD have been women in the 17-20 range. In fact, the youngest of the five Bennets were 23 when the film debuted--almost a decade too old for the parts! This sort of terrible casting was not new to the studio, who had previously cast Norma Shearer and Leslie Howard in "Romeo and Juliet"--a film about two young teenagers even though the actors were 34 and 43 respectively! It's a shame really, as the film looked very, very nice and it's obvious the MGM folks pulled out all the stops to make this nice film. The costumes and especially the camera-work were impeccable.

As far as the film goes, it is quite good. The actors, while WRONG, did a lovely job and a few--such as Edmund Gwenn, Laurence Olivier and even Greer Garson--were very, very good. As far as the story goes, it's not perfect. Much of it is because you just cannot cram the novel into two hours--and mini-series versions (such as the one with Colin Firth) allow the entirety of the story to be told. Much of it is because they felt obliged to change a few things--but only a few. I also thought the character of Mrs. Bennet was a bit too histrionic--even more so than in the book. Mary Boland was a decent actress but here she just overdoes it. Not a great screenplay (which, oddly, was written by Aldous Huxley of all people),that's for sure. But, with a nice, glossy production and what is basically a great story, even its faults are not enough to ruin the film. Worth seeing, but see the Colin Firth version and see what is missing from the 1940 film.

This 1940 film is not my favourite Pride and Prejudice, that's the 1980 and 1995 mini-series. However, I do consider it a good movie on its own terms(as an adaptation it is one of the least faithful adaptations of the story out there),though the costumes made my eyes hurt(very like Gone With the Wind meets the Victorian era) and the film is very rushed consequently the characters are not as empathetic and fleshed out in personality as in the timeless story. The script is on the whole witty and moving, but there are some noticeable(and quite distracting) anachronisms. However, the cinematography is truly lovely as is the scenery, and the music is of sweeping romanticism. Greer Garson is a beautiful and spirited Elizabeth and Laurence Olivier is a dashing Darcy(though I much prefer his Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights, he positively smolders in that). Their chemistry is enough to warm the heart. The support cast are even better though. Edmund Gwenn is a beautifully played and droll Mr Bennett and Mary Boland matches him perfectly as a sincere Mrs Bennett. Edna May Oliver is an outstanding Lady Catherine, Melville Cooper is an amusing Mr Collins and Frieda Inescourt is a splendidly withering Caroline Bingley. Maureen O'Sullivan is also good, though Jane was one of the characters who could have been fleshed out more. Overall though, I did enjoy it, I just don't consider it the ultimate Pride and Prejudice. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Although some of the wit and commentary of Jane Austen's novel has been left out of this MGM production of Pride and Prejudice, what remains is a nice romantic story of the five Bennett sisters and their efforts to find husbands.

Remember this is 19th century Great Britain with all those class distinctions and a crazy law that the Bennett family estate cannot pass through a female. This puts Edmund Gwenn and Mary Boland in a real pickle. They've got five daughters and they'd better get them all wed to respectable people before the Bennetts take leave of this world.

Their closest male heir is Melville Cooper, a cousin who is one ghastly boor of an individual. In the novel, Cooper is a clergyman, not unlike Reverend Ascoyne D'Ascoyne in Kind Hearts and Coronets. But in the days of the Code you could not show a clergyman in a bad light or make him a figure of fun. Still without his profession noted, Cooper turns in a performance that for him is one of two career roles, the other being the sheriff of Nottingham in The Adventures of Robin Hood.

Edmund Gwenn has a wonderful part as the patient Mr. Bennett. Eddie Cantor could have identified with him because he was the father of five daughters and learned patience the hard way also. In addition to the daughters he has Mary Boland and her pretensions to deal with. The chemistry they have is very similar to that which she had with Charlie Ruggles when they were paired in bunch of films in the Thirties.

Mary Boland is perfect casting for Mrs. Bennett, she truly imprints her personality on the part. So does Edna May Oliver as the formidable Lady Catherine DeBoerg. She's a patroness of Melville Cooper, why I can't figure out, but he genuflects at the mention of her name. And he uses her name the way Mattie Ross used her lawyer J. Noble Daggett's name in True Grit.

Lady Catherine is a part also just written for Edna May Oliver. When that woman wasn't formidable on the screen I don't remember. She's also the aunt of Laurence Olivier who is trying to overcome his own class snobbery in courting Greer Garson, one of the five Bennett sisters.

Of course Olivier and Garson are the leads, but Pride and Prejudice depends more and succeeds on the strength of its ensemble of great character players perfectly cast. Olivier himself was not happy during the production as he expected to do this film with his wife Vivien Leigh. Still he's fine in the part as is Garson. She's got more sass in her makeup than her crinolined sisters and Olivier also shows more character than when we first meet him as a typical Regency snob.

I like Pride and Prejudice, but I like it for the performances of Cooper, Boland, Gwenn, and Oliver than for either of the leads. They're good, but they're support is fabulous.