A Celebration of the Film That Started It All - Pride and Prejudice (2005)

It is hard to believe that nearly twenty years have passed since the 2005 adaptation of  Pride and Prejudice first graced the screen. While the film’s original release came in the autumn of that year, 2025 has brought with it a growing wave of appreciation, including a limited theatrical re-release on April 20th and a flurry of fan tributes across the web. Whether formal or informal, these celebrations speak to the film’s enduring impact—especially for those of us whose journey into Austen’s world began not with the page, but with this very adaptation.

For me, that journey began in 2009.

I was not introduced to “Pride and Prejudice” in high school. Perhaps had I not graduated early, I may have had the opportunity. Even in college, I took only the bare minimum of literature classes. And so, when I first encountered Joe Wright’s Pride and Prejudice, I had no preconceptions. I simply watched—and I was captivated. So much so that I watched it again. And again. At least twenty times during the course of the next days and weeks.

The pivotal moment for me came not during the famous proposal scene in the rain, nor in the sweeping Derbyshire landscapes, but rather when Mr. Darcy appeared at Rosings Park. Something about that entrance, unexpected and quietly arresting, sparked something in me. It was the turning point. Not long after, I discovered that fan fiction existed. 

And the rest, as they say, is history. That spark became a flame—and I began writing stories of my own, with Matthew Macfadyen as my Mr. Darcy and Keira Knightley as my Elizabeth Bennet.

That was the beginning.

What followed was more than just a creative outlet. It was the start of an entire author journey—one that has taken me through dozens of books, countless reimaginings, and a connection with readers around the world who, like me, never quite recovered from that film. Its impact was not only artistic but deeply personal.

Whatever one’s view of Pride and Prejudice (2005), its artistry is undeniable. The cinematography is breathtaking, capturing the English countryside with a painter’s eye. The soundtrack, composed by Dario Marianelli and performed by pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, conveys more than words ever could—elegance, longing, restraint. Together, these elements create a world that feels both grounded and timeless, preserving the emotional truth of the story in a way that lingers long after the final scene.

As one such fan, I am exceedingly grateful.  Grateful that I happened upon this film at just the right time in my life.  Grateful that it opened a door I never knew existed.  

And grateful that even now—twenty years later—it continues to fuel my imagination and satisfy my need to share my Pride and Prejudice-inspired stories with the world.

Image Attribution: Image source IMDb. Used under fair use for commentary purposes. All rights belong to Focus Features.