The comical character Mr Collins could not be explained more explicitly by Austen in Pride and Prejudice:
- ‘A tall, heavy-looking young man of five-and-twenty’
- ‘His air was grave and stately, and his manner very formal’
- ‘altogether a mix of pride and obsequiousness, self importance and humility’
However, casting directors seem unwilling to follow Austen’s description in their choice of actors. In our age of muscle bound young actors and other male celebrities – with our masculine ideals of youth, height and brawn – perhaps Austen’s description of Mr Collins’ features could detract from his ridiculousness in our eyes? In both the 1940 Pride and Prejudice movie and the 1980 Pride and Prejudice mini series, Mr Collins is portrayed by taller actors, yet both of them are considerably beyond their mid-twenties. In the 1995 and 2005 adaptations both men are short; indeed, in the 2005 movie Tom Hollander’s limited stature is a source of comedy. In the 2008 ITV series, Lost in Austen, Mr Collins (Guy Henry) is again tall, but gangly, and aged perhaps in his mid-40s. Also, into his character has been written a kind of pervy-uncle sleaziness that isn’t even hinted at in the book.
Our ideas of the most and least desirable of men obviously change over time, so what explains the transformation of Mr Collins? Why, in none of the major adaptations of Pride and Prejudice, has anyone cast a tall, heavily built young man? I most ardently await your thoughts on the subject!
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Interesting observation. I think the age misrespresentation is due to a change in the times. In Jane Austen’s day being single at 25 may have been unusual, and explains in part Mr. Collins’ desperate efforts to find a wife (and the ease in which he transfers his affections.) However today 25 is still pretty young to get married, so Mr. Collins’ ‘desperation’ may not come across clearly if he was played by a young actor.
Hi Ku-chan. That seems like a plausible explanation, but Darcy is 28 in the story and his single status doesn’t seem to be a cause for desparation. (I don’t think Bingley’s age is given, but presumably he’s older than Jane, who’s older than Elizabeth, who’s 20 years old.) I wonder if 25 was something like the expected age for marriage and Mr Collins, being so beholden to pomp and tradition, wanted to marry at this point because it was the ‘done thing.’ I think it’s funnier when he’s the age given by Jane Austen because his proposal to Elizabeth – which is completely passionless and so pragmatic – seems especially strange when it comes from a young man. He should be full of passion and romance and such, but just blurts out a kind of verbal contract. BTW Ku-chan, how about the height difference?
Well Darcy, I don’t think your age matters at all because your wealth and good looks mean you’d still be considered an eligible bachelor even at 100! The same goes for the eligible Bingley whose age also doesn’t seem important.
As they say in Japan about ladies, if you’re unmarried at 25 you’re a Christmas cake – i.e. nobody wants to buy you after the 25th…
Hmm, not sure about the height thing. I thought he was portrayed by shorter actors because being vertically challenged just adds to his list of not-so-fortunate attributes. But as to why he’s portrayed by taller actors in some versions, I really don’t know…
I personally think they’re OK up to the 30th. Not sure about cakes though
Hi… I’m working on a film and playing a character that seems to be of interest here. I think that YOUR post has made an impact in casting because I am 6′2 and 250 lbs… I am a Mr. Collins that seems to be in line with Austen’s and your own perception of him. I can’t wait to get this film in the can and released. I will be taking some of your observations into consideration in developing this character… I hope you’ll get to see the film when it’s finished!
Wow! That’s amazing. I hope we’ll be able to see it. We’ll try and do a feature on this upcoming movie soon. Thanks a lot for getting in touch.
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Perhaps the age misrepresentation is due to the inability to find actors that young with enough experience. It may also be difficult to find actors of that age who are heavy enough. Also, I do not believe that it was unusual for men of 25 to still be single in Jane Austen’s time. On the contrary in Mansfield Park, Fanny’s uncle Sir Thomas seems to be of the opinion that marriage at the age of 24 is quite young (in regards to Henry Crawford).
I posted before about the incredulously pathetic Mr. Collins in our film version of the story… this is a follow up that we are finished with principle shooting and only have a few make-up scenes to shoot and post-production.
I was jazzed before about the talent involved amongst the cast, but having worked with all of them, I’m elated to be a part of the film! I’m not sure when it will release; I anticipate between April and June 2011.