Highlights Archives
All Jane Austen Film Series to Begin April 13
The fifth year of the popular Classic Book and Movie Club will feature a lineup of three motion pictures adapted from classic novels by British author Jane Austen, beginning with director Joe Wright's 2005 adaptation of Austen's 1813 novel "Pride and Prejudice" on Sunday, April 13. The free-admission screening will be shown at 1:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Society's headquarters building in Madison. The other films in the series will include Ang Lee's award-winning 1995 rendition of "Sense and Sensibility" on September 14 and Roger Mitchell's 1995 BBC version of "Persuasion" on January 18, 2009.
In the inaugural film in the current series, Pride and Prejudice, a classic tale of love and misunderstanding unfolds in class-conscious England near the close of the 18th century. The five Bennet sisters — Elizabeth (Keira Knightley), Jane (Rosamund Pike), Lydia (Jena Malone), Mary (Talulah Riley), and Kitty (Carey Mulligan) — have been raised well aware of their mother's (Brenda Blethyn) fixation on finding them husbands. The spirited and intelligent Elizabeth, however, strives to live her life with a broader perspective, as encouraged by her doting father (Donald Sutherland).
When wealthy bachelor Mr. Bingley (Simon Woods) takes up residence in a nearby mansion, the Bennets are abuzz. Amongst the man's sophisticated circle of London friends and the influx of young militia officers, surely there will be no shortage of suitors for the Bennet sisters. Eldest daughter Jane seems poised to win Mr. Bingley's heart. Lizzie meets the handsome Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen), and the battle of the sexes is joined. Their encounters are frequent and spirited yet far from encouraging. A crisis involving youngest sister Lydia soon opens Lizzie's eyes to the true nature of her relationship with Mr. Darcy. The ensuing rush of feelings inspires the Bennets to reaffirm what is most important in life.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor Emily Auerbach will introduce the film and, after the screening, will discuss the 2005 adaptation of the Austen novel as well as other film versions, including Laurence Olivier's 1940 film and a version from India's "Bollywood" called "Bride and Prejudice." For more information about the program, contact Karen Kron at 608-264-6445.
The Classic Book & Movie Club series is presented jointly by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research, and The Capital Times newspaper. The series presents Hollywood movies adapted from classic books of the 19th and 20th centuries. Participants are invited to read the books, then see the movies — on the big screen!
:: Posted April 7, 2008
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