Mr Darcy through the ages (RADIO TIMES)

From Colin Firth's famous lake scene to Laurence Olivier's romantic declaration, we take a trip down memory lane to revisit our favourite portrayals of Austen's brooding hero

Susanna Lazarus

6:27 PM, 28 May 2013

The sight of Colin Firth in his white shirt, breeches and enviable sideburns, emerging from Pemberley's lake certainly stirred the heart of Elizabeth Bennet, not to mention the pulses of countless female viewers across the globe. But while his Mr Darcy remains one of the most iconic in TV history, his portrayal was not the first and is certainly not the last, with the recent announcement that Matthew Rhys will become the latest actor to step into the brooding bachelor's shoes in new BBC serial, Death Comes to Pemberley.

So to celebrate the upcoming three-part adaptation of PD James's Austen spin-off, we thought we'd indulge in a run-through of the finest Mr Darcy's in TV and film history. From Laurence Olivier's 1940s incarnation to Martin Henderson's Bollywood inspired Bride and Prejudice turn, not to mention Matthew Macfadyen's starring role opposite Keira Knightley, here is an essential reminiscence of the very best Mr Darcys...

Laurence Olivier

Even in black and white, Laurence Olivier smoulders as Lizzie Bennet's dashing suitor. After seeing to her sister Lydia's predicament – following her scandalous elopement with deceptive soldier Mr Wickham – Darcy returns to the Bennet household bearing news of Mr Bingley's imminent proposal. But the gallant gent has a surprise of his own up his voluminous sleeve – a second proposal to Lizzie, the outspoken object of his affections. This Mr Darcy has none of the awkward stuttering of latter portrayals – Olivier's smooth delivery and bushy sideburns make for a easy-on-the-eye romantic hero as he shares a smooch with his "dear, beautiful Lizzie".


David Rintoul



Fast-forward to 1980 and David Rintoul was telling Lizzie Bennet "how much I ardently admire and love you" in Darcy's cringe-worthy first proposal. A note to any rich, comely gentlemen readying himself to ask for his loved one's hand in marriage: do not first berate her for "the inferiority of her family, the miserable connection, the degradation and the lack of judgement" she displays. It doesn't go down too well, as can be seen in the following clip...


Matthew Macfadyen


Matthew Macfadyen's turn in Mr Darcy's shoes opposite Hollywood A-lister Keira Knightley was much anticipated – and his frosty presence did not disappoint. Directed by Atonement's Joe Wright, this 2005 silver screen production saw Pride and Prejudice adapted for a 21st century audience, with Macfadyen's brooding presence a rare depiction capable of rivalling Firth's. While his ill-concealed regard for Lizzie emerges later in the film, the following scene sees the pair fire barbed comments back and forth as they dance together during Mr Bingham's Netherfield Ball.

SEE MORE DARCYS:  http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-05-28/mr-darcy-through-the-ages

Colin Firth: Colin in Roman armour - The Last Legion (Times of India)

The Taj Mahal, actress Aishwarya Rai and Alexander the Great bind famous Italian archaeologist-historian, television presenter and novelist Valerio Massimo Manfredi to India - a country whose heritage he finds iconic.

Manfredi is the author of "The Last Legion", a 2007 Hollywood production starring Colin Firth, Aishwarya and Ben Kingsley.

"My character of the leading lady (played by Aishwarya) was totally different. She was from a village but Aishwarya was totally different. She was the lover of the protagonist...but she acted as if the film was for kids," Manfredi told IANS here.

The film tells the story of emperor Romulus Augustus' journey to Britain in search of loyal legionaires to take on the "barbarian" invaders. The writer ended up befriending Firth, could not get around to meeting Ben Kingsley and was struck by Aishwarya's eyes.

"She has such strong expressive and beautiful eyes. Some little expression of love would have made the film more different. The editing was so much like a video game, so many passages were missing...I am not criticising," Manfredi said.

Memories of "The Last Legion" make Manfredi introspective.

"I have noticed that everybody who has not read the book liked the film and those who read the book did not like the movie. This is very usual because they are two different kinds of expression. While the book uses words, cinema uses images," Manfredi said.

When a novel of "almost 500 pages has to be squeezed into a 90-page screenplay and then reduced to 50 on the computer screen, it becomes 1/10th of the original work", Manfredi said.



Read more:  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/This-Italian-writer-has-an-Aishwarya-Rai-connection/articleshow/11710817.cms