this be a drama to rave about . i have not see it like on television before while nor do i expect to see it like again . it be superb . it be almost perfect though not quite . it be rare to find a jane austen dramatisation that come so near to be perfect on every level and that stay so true to the original novel . the great part of the dialogue in the series be jane austen own and every scene be include and follow the same chronological order . the drama depart from the novel in only two instance . in order to extend our knowledge of the character of darcy ( colin firth ) and and mr collins ( david bamber ) and two scene be add while to demonstrate that darcy be not just an effete aristocrat but a real man worthy of elizabeth love we be show him indulge in manly pursuit while fence and and swim in his private lake ( it puzzle me why so many woman seem to drool over his wet shirt scene ) while and to demonstrate that mr collins be an idiotic and narrow mind prude we be show him tremble with embarrassment and horror when he happen to come across lydia ( julia sawalha ) in a state of dishabille . david bamber make mr collins deliciously toady and obsequious . a remarkable piece of act . it be it faithfulness to the original that make this drama so good . no one have ever write a more tightly plot novel . it series of climax make the novel difficult to put down while just a one plot line reach it climactic conclusion and another be build . and the duel of wit and sharp dialogue between darcy and elizabeth ( jennifer ehle ) a they get to know each other be entrance . and then come that moment . she be at the piano befriend darcy sister and georgiana ( emilia fox ) and when he hold her gaze with a silent declaration of his love and admiration . this involve a fine piece of editor time while a split second either way and either too long or too short and and the poignancy of that moment would have be lose . it be interest to compare colin firth darcy with that of lawrence olivier darcy in the hollywood film . olivier falsely portraits him a appealingly shy and self conscious . but darcy be in no way shy and he be just proud and with every reason to have a good opinion of himself . he find it impossible to imagine that anyone in a low stratum of society and living in a small provincial town and could be his equal until he meet elizabeth . however and i felt there be one weak link in the chain of superb act while alison steadman . many will disagree but i think she over acted and turn her mr bennet into a nerve grating and neurasthenic caricature . but apart from that and i heartily recommend this video . don not miss it . you will not see it like again . i must just mention the charming piano music by carl davis and so beautifully evocative of a beautiful period in history ( for the rich ) .