Even though Keira Knightley didn't completely fulfill my expectations, she was far better than Jennifer Ehle---she had no chemistry with Colin Firth and in general seemed more like an Anne Elliot than a Lizzy Bennet.

jennifer ehle really captured what any woman would be like in that time and society, her and colin together was brilliant!

I really dislike Keira as Elizabeth.

Keira just didn't get it. Jennifer did it perfectly, perfect balance of spunk and decorum and I think she and Colin were amazing together!

I think Keira was a bit more modern than Austen's Elizabeth, but I thought she really captured her liveliness. Something about Jennifer Ehle annoyed me, but I'm not sure what. It just seemed too fake sometimes with her- her silly moments weren't very believable.

I really like both of them as Lizzy. Both capture her kindness, sweet disposition and wit well. However, Keira did better with her lively, slightly rebellious spirit and (I'm with Jillywinkles on this) chemistry with her Darcy.

I really liked the amused little smile Keira sometimes has, it's so Lizzy (like when she steps out of the carriage at Pemberley)

it actually sickens me that keira knightley even comes into the equation, like for one, she isnt at all as austen discribed, like she's really too thin, was she not supposed to have a gorgeous figure?? i just dont like the was she plays lizzy. i love Jennifer Ehle's lizzy. she just slips into the role with perfect ease. and her chemistry with colin firth was just brilliant! :D
so Jennifer Ehle 10/10 Keira 1/10

Jennifer! She smiles! hehe!

KEIRA! She was awesome!
Jennifer Ehle, was OK, but like Jillywinkles said, no chemistry at all. Matthew and Keira made me want to watch the movie further, and repeatedly. Their chemistry NEVER gets old.

I'm stunned how many of you Keira supporters think Jennifer Ehle did not show love or that her chemistry with Darcy didn't exist.
Let me explain something: In the 18th century chemistry wasn't like it is represented nowadays in common social life.
It was based on wit, and intelligent comments, etc. Just because Jennifer wasn't "drooling" anytime she saw Darcy, in a "modern and easy way to see" is not reason for thinking she didn't it well.
She was the perfect Elizabeth Bennet. She managed to mix love, admiration, regret on the same facial expression, unlike Keira who kept portraying Elizabeth as immature and head-over-wheels.
Seriously, anyone who truly understood the book and Lizzy Bennet can see that Jennifer was a far better portrayal of Lizzy. She was elegant, intelligent, had the perfect attitude for the age she was and lived in...
She's the Elizabeth Bennet.

I agreed with "ca9428"

so I prefer Keira's verion.

Jennifer Ehle to me is the perfect Lizzy Bennet! Keira Knightley was too hasty, couldn't keep reserved when she was supposed to, I would say.

Keria knightley was by far the best Elizabeth bennet! I couldent stand Jennifer Ehle I think she's annoying and she dident show passion or belife in what she said it looked like somone was holding a script and she was reading it! Were as keria knightley showed passion and belife and was simply MUCH,MUCH,MUCH better then Jennifer Ehle,and Jennifer Ehle and Collin had no love no passion NOTHING!!! That's why Keria Knightley is WAY better than Jennifer Ehle

keira keira and again keira :)

you've said it all spinelli :)

Keira is so fresh and natural. She is also exactly the age of the character. She is a perfect Elizabeth. But the film is perfect.

Jennifer Ehle is cute, but not young enough to play Elizabeth and "too much" in her clothes, her hair, her make up. Not realistic. Too much immaculately turned out. I dislike that.

And there was no chemistry between Elizabeth/Ehle and Darcy/Firth. I just don't believe in their love story. Knightley and Mac Fadyen are just so perfects ! The scene under the rain ! Their looks ! Extraordinary !

Of course, Keira!!
Ehle has only silly smile... Keira is perfect Elisabeth!

Keira?!!!!!!!!!!!!! What? She was the worst thing EVER to happen to an Austen movie adaptation. Jennifer had great chemistry with Colin and was just like the Lizzie Austen described. I am kind of sad that Kiera gets picked because she is possibly more young and hip. This is sad that its locked so tightly to Kiera's side. I can't believe it!

I agree entirely with daughterofcokie and spinelli. Keira was just not suited for the role of Lizzie, in every aspect!!! Jennifer Ehle all the way!

WHAT!!!???
I'll tell what i think of this "Ehle":
she is ugly, she's rather fat, she doesn't know how to act,she's old and look like a married woman at the beginning of 40, she's annoying etc......
i'll be satisfied if she played mrs.bannet's role cause it suits her
this whole version of 1995 didn't seem like a love story, both Ehle and Firth seem like a married couple, who will be divorced soon :p

Great words, hindaa! :D LOL

i think keira is the beast but when i read the novel i dscovered that jennifer rflect the character of elizabeth than keira but i like keira

I have a feeling that everyone who likes Kiera must not have read the book. she doesn't look anything like she's supposed to and all her lines came off as forced and lacking the vivacity that Lizzy was supposed to exude.

^I've read and not once, so your feeling is wrong, and I think that Jennifer is the worst Jane Austen's heroine in adaptations, maybe if she tried to play she could. But she didn't. It was awful!

Jennifer Ehle is my personal pick. The casting, the setting AND the acting was superb. Sorry, but Keira Knightly is far too skinny and the acting was painful to watch. Totally blank! No emotion....no connection, nothing! If this poor girl showed up in Janes time; one would think she was dying of consumption.

I picked Jennifer Ehle! She was much better than Keira in my opinion, and she had loads of chemistry with Colin Firth. Keira just seemed to act a bit TOO immature for me, unfortunately, as I like her as an actress. I loved the whole adaptation of the mini-series and, really, if it wasn't for the huge success of the BBC adaptation both here and overseas because of the great acting and writing, I'm not even sure that a film would've happened - it was always going to be a hard act to follow...

I picked Jennifer, cos it seems to me that though she is not as obviously pretty as Keira, she`s got something very special in herself, a kind of inner light and warmth Jane Austen would expect from her heroine. I also think that the chemistry between her and Mr Darcy portreyed by Colin Firth was easy to notice, very expressive and distinct, cos the TV series reflects the gradual birth of their love.

I think keira was by far more convi9ncing than Jennifer and there was no chemistry betwen colin firt and jennifer ehle whereas keira really made the whole action really intriguing.

I think that Keira is perfectly fine in her own right, but i only really like her in Pirates of the Caribbean. Jennifer WAS Elizabeth; her look, personality and portrayal were perfect to the character, at least in my opinion. The 2005 movie was a good effort, and a worthy interpretation, but it just doesn't capture the essence of Pride and Prejudice for me. Although, I don't mind Rosemary Pike as Jane.

Honestly I like both Jennifer and Keira as Lizzy. My pick goes to Jennifer because she definitely embodied almost everything that is Lizzy I'm so fond of in the book. My only gripe is that she seemed a bit old for the role. As for the stiffness that some have commented on in the 1995 version, I too believe that it is just simply the way it is during the time period. However, I also feel as if it has a very theatrical air to it and that might have added to the supposed stiffness that the others have observed.

With Keira's portrayal, on the other hand, she definitely embodied the vivacious spirit and youthfulness of Lizzy. Lizzy's wit is still well performed but definitely a tad lacking when it comes to poise, but not so much that it is on the same boat as Lydia and Mrs. Bennet.

Honestly, I think Kiera's portrayal was of Jennifer Ehle portraying Elizabeth Bennet. That is the only thing I can come up with! I love that Mr. Darcy mention's Lizzie's eyes, Jennifer's positively sparkle with charm and wit!!!! Oh I just cringed whenever Lydia and Mrs. Bennet were on screen. The miniseries just captures EVERYTHING better!! I'm so glad I watched the entire miniseries, I'm only sorry that I didn't watch it sooner. :(

Keira's portrayal is far better...!

Jennifer Ehle embodies Elizabeth Bennett - she has such wit and spunk! Keira wasn't awful, but she was not nearly as good. I think it also doesn't help that they made her look ragged throughout the majority of the movie. Elizabeth could be described as strong willed and a bit of a free spirit (was not overly concerned what people thought about her appearances), but she still carried herself with poise and proper manners.

The miniseries overall was better. Better cast, costume and hair, setting - it seemed to follow the book better and do more justice to the era itself.

I have read the book and I actually prefer Keira. I actually read the book before watching any of the adaptations, moved on to the BBC but I couldn't stand Lizzy's smugness/superiority and stopped. I get that she's supposed to be a bit like that but Ehle was plain unlikable to me. Then I watched the movie which I love, then I decided to give BBC another try and learnt to appreciate it. Keira is a little too typically feisty and modern but I enjoyed her potrayal MUCH more. She has spark. Also, during Ehle's "fights" with Mr Darcy it's so obvious she hates him and it's kind of weird how Darcy is so into a woman that is so plainly rude. In the book he thought she was into him and flirting. During the banters Keira's attitude seems more playful and flirty which I see as more according to the book. That doesn't mean the adaptation is flawless though, but it's just an adaptation, if I wanted something exactly like the book I would just read it.

My nerves are vexed to see such an accomplished woman played by such an unkempt washerwoman as Kiera Knightley.

There is only one Elizabeth Bennet as there is only one Mr Darcy and if you need telling then that would be a waste of breath!!

Elizabeth Garvie. (1980 TV series adaption)