There seems to be no limit to the number of adaptations Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” will inspire.
In 1938, the BBC aired the first made-for-TV version of the much swooned over 1813 novel. Since then, there’s been seven screen productions, including this Friday’s, starring Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennett.
And that’s not including various cheeky takes on the tale, like Bollywood’s “Bride & Prejudice” and the comedic short “Poultry and Prejudice.” With so many versions on the market, here’s a guide to some of the most interesting forms of “Prejudice:”
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Elizabeth: Keira Knightley
Mr. Darcy: Matthew MacFadyen
Setting: England, 1797 – when Austen finished her first draft of the novel, then known as “First Impressions”
Trivia: Toward the end of filming, Knightley had to wear long sleeves to hide her “Domino” muscle building.
Bride & Prejudice (2004)
Elizabeth: Aishwarya Rai (as “Lalita Bakshi”)
Mr. Darcy: Martin Henderson
Setting: Contemporary Amritsar, India. Plus a few scenes in L.A. and London.
Trivia: This Indian update doesn’t include any kissing, since it’s taboo to show any sexual contact in Bollywood cinema.
Pride & Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy (2003)
Elizabeth: Kam Heskin
Mr. Darcy: Orlando Seale
Setting: Contemporary Utah
Trivia: The tale of hot-to-trot Mormon singles at Brigham Young University only opened in Salt Lake City before going to DVD.
Bridget Jones’S Diary (2001)
Elizabeth: Renée Zellweger (as “Bridget Jones”)
Mr. Darcy: Colin Firth (as “Mark Darcy”)
Setting: Contemporary London
Trivia: The film contains numerous references to the novel, including Bridget’s workplace, Pemberley Press. It’s a nod to Austen’s Mr. Darcy, who lived in Pemberly Manor.
Pride and Prejudice (1995)
Elizabeth: Jennifer Ehle
Mr. Darcy: Colin Firth
Setting: Regency-era England
Trivia: The five-hour miniseries – arguably the most popular among fans – features a much ballyhooed scene in which Firth climbs out of a pond in a clingy white shirt.
Pride and Prejudice (1952)
Elizabeth: Daphne Slater
Mr. Darcy: Peter Cushing
Setting: Regency-era England
Trivia: Cushing went on to play Grand Moff Tarkin in the original “Star Wars” and star in numerous vampire movies.
Pride and Prejudice (1940)
Elizabeth: Greer Garson
Mr. Darcy: Laurence Olivier
Setting: Pre-Victorian England – so the costumes would look better onscreen
Trivia: “Brave New World” author Aldous Huxley co-wrote the screenplay.

