Pride & Prejudice - is Colin Firth's the best version?

In recent days I have watched three different versions of Pride and Prejudice.

The Keira Knightley film version, the Colin Firth 1990s BBC version and the David Rintoul 1980 BBC version.

I still believe that of the three the latter is the best as it is more faithful to the book and is produced in a 'stage' like manner rather than as a sweeping production of the later two versions. David Rintoul is great as Darcy - everyone's idea of the character, I should imagine, tall, dark, handsome and snooty! Lizzie is fun and independent but not too over the top (remembering how young ladies were expected to behave in the early 19th century - after all that is why there is horror at the antics of Lydia - and even Mrs Bennett). Unfortunately, for anyone in the UK wanting to see this version you either have to buy a VHS or a Region 1 DVD as the BBC have not re-issued it here. Amazon can help though: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_/026-7799276-4466057?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=pride+and+prejudice+david+rintoul&Go.x=8&Go.y=12

However, I must admit I love the Colin Firth version - it's very witty, fun and you get a true idea of what the period was like (even if there are some scenes that probably would have had even Jane Austen turning missish!). The chemistry between Darcy and Lizzie is brilliant, you wonder how on earth Mr Bennett has gone through life without committing murder and you just hope that Wickham doesn't live to regret his marriage ... after all is £10,000 really sufficient to spend your life with Lydia?

As for the Keira Knightley version. Well what can I say! I saw it at the cinema when it was first released and was disappointed with it then - it was OK if, as I said to a lady who stopped me as I was leaving the cinema, you weren't looking for Jane Austen. Now having seen it so close to the other two versions I have to say it is truly dire. There is little or no wit or humour, I really could not care less if Lydia was saved or if, Heaven forbid, Lady Catherine managed to prevent Darcy and Lizzie marrying. And as for the US 'alternative' ending with D & L gazing at each other in the moonlight on a lake ... pleeease!!

It just goes to show that you can throw as much money as you like at the production, pick the most 'beautiful'people, but if the acting is not up to scratch and/or the script is weak then the film is unlikely to be a success. It probably would have been better if the film had been said to have been inspired by Pride and Prejudice and given a different name.

Fashion in Detail

One of the best books I have bought recently is the 'Historical Fashion in Detail - 17th and 18th century' from the V&A (By Avril Hart and Susan North, 2000 reissue Format: 192pp, 230mm x 300mmIllustrations: 159 colour, 350 line drawings, Paperback ISBN: 185177 258 8Price and availability: £19.95 Worldwide excluding US and Canada)

When you look at the close-up detail of the clothes and shoes (men's and women's) you can't help but be amazed at the skill and time that went into making fantastic items and which certainly puts our mass produced, machine age goods into perspective!

I know that the clothes shown in the book would not have been available to all - in fact I would suspect that you would have had to be extremely wealthy to be able to afford just one of the dresses but nevertheless I doubt very much if the quality of design, material, ornamentation ... and hand stitching is brought together so well today

Modern Art & Design

As an artist and designer I look back to times past as well as forward to consider the future needs of clients, their families/businesses etc.

One of the sad aspects is that there does not seem to be any truly great artitists an designers coming forward - not in the manner of Constable, Turner, the Bauhaus Movement and so on. Instead, the majority of people only see to have a contact with art and design is through mass produced 'trash' eg advertising, packaging, movies and so on. Some artists do make a great impact but often for the wrong reasons appealing to our more basic nature rather than to our heart, mind and soul.

Is this right or am I just getting cynical in my old age?!