Anyone who thinks that back in the ‘good old days’ dramatizers treated their source material with a little more respect should check out the ending of the 1940 Pride and Prejudice movie. Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s role in the story, not to mention her entire personality, has been given a full-on makeover by screenwriter Aldous Huxley.
For fear of spoiling the surprise if you plan to watch the film someday, I won’t say much more. Below, I’ve included a video snippet of the final scene in which the twist occurs, so don’t watch it if you don’t want to know what happens! One thing is absolutely certain – you’ll NEVER see it coming!
I KNOW right? I saw this movie and was aghast at the way they changed the ending (and Lady Catherine’s personality) completely. I didn’t realize that Aldous Huxley was the screenwriter though.
wow – what a turn about – kinda cute though – the biggest surprise you’ve offered me is that Aldous Huxley was responsible – I can’t believe it- the author of Brave New World doing screenwriting for Pride and Prejudice – WOW!
Congrats Clare – I’ve just awarded you a Zombie Chicken Award
http://torchundertheblanketbooks.com/2009/08/21/the-zombie-chicken-award/
Wow! I’m really touched. Thanks so much for thinking of my blog. I’ll have to get thinking about my nominations…
Yes, it doesn’t quite have the same tone as Brave New World! At least it means people don’t have to worry about taking liberties when adapting his books.
I don’t know that I’ve ever seen this version, and the character change is unexpected. I suppose it could be explained away in that it happens outside Elizabeth’s view, but it does seem very out of character. I prefer the modern, more faithful adaptations (for the clothes, too, I have to add). Olivier does cut a dashing figure as Darcy, though.
I guess that I am the odd one out here, but I enjoyed the change of her character. Thats the way it should have been. Love being able to thaw the heart of someone who seemed to be as cold and hard as her, with no compassion for love. What can I say, I am the hopeless romantic who would rather believe that love can conquor all.
I kind of agree with Claramae, but then I’m quite a softy. I want everything to end like Bugsy Malone, with everyone putting their differences aside and bursting into song. Why can’t real life be like that…? I always struggle with characters like Lady Catherine, who seem to have no positive traits at all. I suppose she does have a lot to lose from Darcy and Lizzy marrying, and she is desperate to find a husband for her sickly daughter, so she’s in a tough situation.