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Pride & Prejudice (2005 film)

Pride & Prejudice is a 2005 British period romance film directed by Joe Wright in his feature directorial debut.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Pride & Prejudice is a 2005 British period romance film directed by Joe Wright in his feature directorial debut. Based on Jane Austen’s 1813 novel, it stars Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy in a story about courtship, class, and misunderstanding among an English landed family.

Plot

The film centres on Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, whose first impressions of each other are shaped by pride, prejudice, and social difference. It follows the Bennet family as marriage prospects and inheritance concerns influence their lives.

Production

Pride & Prejudice was directed by Joe Wright and written by Deborah Moggach, with additional screenplay credit information appearing in some listings. It was produced by Working Title Films in association with StudioCanal.

Release and reception

The film premiered in the United Kingdom on 16 September 2005 and later opened in the United States on 11 November 2005. Later listings and reviews describe it as a widely admired adaptation, with particular praise for its performances and cinematography.

Adaptation of Jane Austen

The film is one of several screen adaptations of Jane Austen’s novel and presents a more visually immediate, cinematic interpretation of the source material. It retains the core relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy while condensing and reshaping parts of the novel.

Key facts

  • Joe Wright made his feature film directorial debut with Pride & Prejudice.
  • The film adapts Jane Austen’s 1813 novel of the same name.
  • Keira Knightley plays Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen plays Mr. Darcy.
  • The story follows five Bennet sisters navigating marriage, class, and social expectations in rural England.
  • The film was released in the United Kingdom on 16 September 2005 and in the United States on 11 November 2005.
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Canadian context

The film was released in Canada in November 2005 and has been widely available to Canadian audiences through theatrical, home video, and streaming distribution.[2][6]

Frequently asked questions

What is Pride & Prejudice (2005)?
It is a 2005 British period romance film directed by Joe Wright and based on Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice.
Who plays Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy?
Keira Knightley plays Elizabeth Bennet, and Matthew Macfadyen plays Mr. Darcy.
When was the film released?
It was released in the United Kingdom on 16 September 2005 and in the United States on 11 November 2005.
Who directed the film?
Joe Wright directed the film, which was his feature directorial debut.
What is the film based on?
It is based on Jane Austen’s 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice.
What is the film about?
It focuses on the Bennet family, especially the relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, amid questions of marriage, class, and social judgment.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_&_Prejudice_(2005_film)
    Supports: Director, cast, release dates, genre, production context, and plot overview.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414387/
    Supports: Director, writers, cast, runtime, and synopsis.
  3. BBC — https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2005/08/19/pride_and_prejudice_2005_review.shtml
    Supports: Feature directorial debut, plot framing, and release/review context.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pride_and_prejudice
    Supports: Genre, synopsis, director, distributor, runtime, and theatrical release information.
  5. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/pride--prejudice/umc.cmc.2recf8dyiecffam3er4u8a2mh
    Supports: Year, runtime, director, and starring cast.