"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen is one of the most enduring love stories ever written. This production was adapted for the BBC by Andrew Davis and directed by Simon Langton. It aired way back in 1995 and rapidly became one of the most popular mini series on the screen at that time. It starred Colin Firth as the mysterious, brooding and proud, Mr. Darcy and Jennifer Ehle as the spirited, outspoken, Elizabeth Bennet. One of the reasons I love this adaptation so much is that they actually give Mr. Darcy some background so that he doesn't suddenly appear to turn into a nice guy at the end, but you realise that he actually IS a nice guy all along…he just doesn't know how to express himself very well. Anyway, for those who don't know the story, here's a not so brief overview with photo's taken from the BBC book, "The Making of Pride and Prejudice":-

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Bennet is second of five sisters. Jane is the eldest, then Lizzie, Mary, Kitty and Lydia. Jane is the beauty of the family and their mother's sole purpose in life is to see all her daughters married as quickly as possible.

Mr. Bennet is a quiet man who tries to avoid his wife's nervous, highly strung, demeanour as much as possible. Lizzie is his confidante as he sees her as the most sensible of daughters and they share a close bond.

The family live at Longbourn near the village of Meryton but the estate is entailed away to a distant cousin called Mr. Collins, as the Bennet's have no sons to continue the line.