jennifer ehle was so much better. kiera acted to immature for elizabeth. it was kind of annoying

Jennifer made the character really stiff. Keria really captures the spirit of Elizabeth.

I thought Elizabeth as a happy, clever girl. Keira's happy personality seemed fake in some parts. Jennifer seemed to have a sweetness that Keira lacked.

I actually liked them both! I'm picking Keira PURELY cos I fancy her more! :P Leastways I'm honest, right?

Are you kidding me? Keira Knightly was awful. She played the role the same way she does all her other "girl power" characters. Ehle brought intelligence, grace, and a respectability to Elizabeth Bennet that Knightly could not hope to achieve.

Keira Knightly might look attractive by modern standards--I mean, did you see how much of the trailer was made up of her batting her eyelashes? In those days she'd have been thought to be too skinny and tanned. It seemed as though she was only there to add some interest for people who weren't really interested in the story, she wasn't even portraying her personality. Jennifer Ehle was amazing.

I really thought Kiera Knightley did brilliantly

no way hosey...

... jen all the way

she was a PERFECT lizzy


i mean keira was gud... she did portay it well.. but.. i still see jen as liz

Wow, how did Keira get the lead here? Jennifer was nearly PERFECT as Elizabeth, Keira mmm no.

Jennifer IS Elizabeth Bennett. Keira didn't even compare.

I'm shocked that this is even a debate.

Keira all the way. She brought a little life into the character of Lizzy, which seemed very stiff the way Jennifer acted it. Besides (in my opinion) Jennifer looked ugly as sin.

i love em both, but i would afta say that keira was the better lizzy.

Keira just sort of didn't fit the story or the time in the Jennifer did.

i cannot believe that keria knightly is winning at this! in the days when the story is set women were brought up to be respectable whihc is what keria fans must be confusing with stiff, jennifer acted her brilliantly keria was nower near as good as standard as her the only reason she probabaly been picked is because shes a top hollywood actress i cant see any other reason as to why someone would have voted for her on this poll oh and i also agree with kapow and tweenacat

Jennifer was in no way "stiff". In those times, restraint was everything. They didn't go shouting at each other back then. There are other ways to portray anger and hurt than to get in the other person's face. Keira had no sublety, no sophistication, as Jennifer did. She didn't leave any of Lizzy's emotions to speculation, as Jane Austen intended. Also, Jennifer had a playfulness to her that disarmed her insults towards Darcy, but Keira seemed just plain rude towards poor Matthew. I can't see why his Darcy fell in love with her Lizzy after that sort of treatment.

I remember no rudeness at all. Just clever flirting. Jennifer was stiffer. I imagine Lizzy as a slightly rebellious free spirit, and Keira really captured that.

I don't know.. they were both good, but Keira just fit better how I pictured ELizabeth.

Alright, I was a bit too defensive. I'm too shy to voice my thoughts in real life so I get harsh on the Web :P After seeing the movie again I realize that Keira wasn't that bad, though I still think that she's over-rated and didn't quite deserve an Oscar nomination. I'm mostly just miffed that the screenwriters changed Lizzy's lines, and transformed her into a feisty little tomboy when I'm sure that wasn't what Jane Austen intended.

I agree with you people, Keira was bad... I mean hey the film is great just because of the other characters! Keira trys to play the intelligent, strong lady and she fails I think.

the film adaptation was horrible and much too different to the book....it was not how jane austen described it!! i was totally disappointed in how lizzy was portrayed and keira knightley in my opinion was an awful choice for the character!!!!

How is this possible that keira is winning? like i like her and all but Jennifer Ehle is the perfect lizzie.....i cant believe this is even a debate....i wont repeat what others have said....but i just think the whole cast of 1995 was better that 2005....

idk about the rest of yall but i luv keira knightly she rox my sox i just love how much, uh, enthusiasm... idk i guess she was more lively
sorry grls

but its not about our fav actress oo_jason......its about who played the better lizzie, and within that kept to austen's writing......so therefore Jennifer Ehle comes out trumps.

well elixabeth wasn't supposed to be that beautiful or anything. wasn't her sister supposed to be the prettiest? i think that jennifer ehle was better, though I really like Keira as an actress! I think is has to do with the fact that i just like the old version better.

Definetly Jennifer!! Keira was way too bouncy and immature. it was really annoying, and she played the part like she does in ALL her other movies. I love Jennifer though!

Lizzie was NOT supposed to be the pretty one, the popular one or the upbeat excites one. Lizzie was smart and rebellious in her intelligence, she was supposed to be plain, that was her character and why her romance was soo shocking, she was not the attractive arm candy most wealthy men could afford. It adds to the drama and deeper understanding of Darcy's character as well, that it didn't matter that she wasn't the prettiest or well liked or sought after, he was attracted to her because of her mind and quick wit. JENNIFER IS LIZZY! The end. Not to say that Keira wasn't fun...but seriously, just the fact that she was cast as Lizzie is kinda a disgrace to the original characters and to the author who wrote Lizzie a specific way for a reason. This also could explain why they had to deviate from the book, the movie was practically a different story all together, they had to make it all "hollywood" and cast Keira, so they deviated to atone for her and a few more. Basically, Jennifer was Lizzie from the book, whom I love. Keira portrayed a Jane Austin character spin-off, hollywood-style. They gave the audience what they thought it wanted. And really, they weren't wrong.

Keira! I don't know who that other girl is but def Keira!!

def...KEIRA...* She was so great...

She's awesome ^^

runtateer, I must say that I (respectfully) disagree completely.

The book isn't truly specific on the looks of all the sisters. All we know is that Jane is the prettiest and Mary the least so.
That doesn't mean that none of the other girls can be pretty, they're just overshadowed by Jane.

This is something that the 1995 version failed on. I actually think Jennifer Ehle is prettier than Susannah Harker, so that wasn't really very true to the book.

Also, I'm not sure where you're getting the "popular" and "guys buy her/arm candy" arguments, but those certainly didn't exist in the 2005 version. If you're talking about Keira being a popular actress, I'm not sure the fact that she is a well-liked, beautiful, popular actress should play an influence in your decision. If that's not where you got that from, then please enlighten me :)

Of course I agree with you that some of the attractiveness of Lizzy's romance is how unappealing her character would usually be to most suitors. But I think Keira captures her rebellious, outspoken, clever, free spirit better than any other Lizzy I've ever seen :)
As you can probably tell, I don't see how casting her is a disgrace to the book. Yes, the 2005 was not exactly the book. But it was not supposed to be. The 1995 mini series was supposed to be the book. Period. Everything was accurate. Which is nice, of course. I adore the book.

However, I am not so closed-minded as to feel that you need to follow the book exactly to be a good version. The 2005 movie was beautifully made. The cinamatography, costumes, chemistry between characters were much better than the 1995 mini series.

The 1995 miniseries was no risk. First of all, it was not expected to be as popular as it is. Also, anyone who likes the book is almost guarunteed to enjoy this series, which, don't get me wrong, I *do* adore :)

The director and screenwriter of the 2005 took creative risks! They put themselves out on the line! And, in my opinion, the opinion of the vast majority of critics, and the opinion of the MPAA (who gave Keira the Oscar Nomination), it turned out beautifully.

Jennifer was a great Lizzy in portraying her sweet character and her sarcastic side as well, but she failed in portraying her love for Darcy. I never felt that she cared much for Darcy, or was attracted to him at all--the scene where she showed the most attraction was where she's looking at Darcy's house. Perhaps this is because she and Colin Firth were breaking up during the filming? I thought I heard that somewhere.

Keira was sweet, sarcastic, and you definitely could see that she fell in love with Darcy. She was about 90% of the perfect Lizzy I have in my head. Jennifer was about 70%, at the most.

I just think playing Lizzy must be very hard because neither of them pull it off outstandingly. They are both very good, but not compared with the book!

Although I love the '05 movie and I think Keira did a great job, I really think that Jennifer Ehle did a better job of portraying the character. Keira seemed immature, which is not how I picture the Elizabeth. But that said, I still think that she was great in the movie, which I like not because it's exactly like the book (because it's definitely NOT), but because it's a beautiful and romantic movie on its own. The miniseries captures the book much much better, but it lacks the subtle sensuality of the movie. So I love both for their own merits.

omg!! is kiera winning?!! um all you people who picked her are really blind!! lizzie is supposed to be attractive!! and kiera is definately not that!!! way too skinny and ugly. jennifer on the other hand IS lizzie. you dont need any discussion or debate on it, it's a natural fact. jen did the perfect job of playing lizzie! the best ever!! kiera shouldve played lydia, that's how immature she was in the 2005 ver!!!!

Jennifer IS Lizzie

Keira didn't play good (she talks too fast) and she looks like a skeleton

omg how can kiera be winning, jennifer is the best!

when i first saw the 1995 version back in 2003, i was dissapointed with Jennifer Ehle...i thought Elizabeth to be completely different...more cheeful, playful,younger i suppose...

i think that Keira was the perfect Elizabeth, just like she should be...and i agree with those people that said that you could not really see that Elizabeth loved Darcy..
She looks so cold, and reserved...

I think that Keira looked better as Elizabeth than Jennifer did. Jennnifer kind of annoys me.

Keira undountly! Jennifer didn't had the whole spirit of Lizzie, and as it had been said before she didn't showed her love for Darcy as it should be.

I forgot to say I thouroughly agree with kateliness2! For me the best answer lol

I'm deeply hoping that most of the votes for "Keira" came from people who hadn't yet watch the 1995 adaptation.
Because I see no good reason (besides her "good looks" - which don't even are a characteristic of the real Elizabeth Bennet) for choosing Keira over Jennifer.

mpc:
Jennifer didn't show her love for Darcy as it should be? As in, WHAT?? Open your eyes and re-watch the 1995 adaptation. Of course she did. But moderatly - according to the character! (do you know the character?) In my opinion she portrayed it so well and perfectly I felt utterly touched. It was the best performance of Elizabeth Bennet ever.

Besides Keira made Elizabeth Bennet sound like an immature spoiled girl.
How can people not see that? Or you haven't read the book, or you haven't truly seen the 1995 adaptation.

All I can say is Jennifer will always be my Elizabeth Bennet. To say that she was absolutley fantastic would be an understatement. She nailed the character in every respect, the body languague, witty comments and manners... it was perfect! I have nothing against KK but she was totally wrong for the role. Elizabeth was witty not-ur face or a tame Catherine Earnshaw. There was too much wildness about her in a time that restraint was vital for social standing, I half feel that they should let her play Lydia or something or given the role to Romola Garai

Totally agreed, samjhart.

You described exactly what I think about Jennifer as Elizabeth.
She was perfect. I felt really touched and fascinated by her character after watching the series...which did not happen when I watched KK on the movie. KK mixed immaturity and even more arrogance than she should on portrayint Elizabeth. Honestly...the 1995 series will always be my ideal of P&P.
It's impossible not to admire such an actress like Jennifer Ehle after her portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet. She nailed it 100%, I almost believed she was really from the 18th century.
Besides, she had the right "elegance" for Elizabeth.

Seriously I don't understand how many of you say that Jennifer didn't do well on making Elizabeth showing her love for Darcy.
Of course she did!
The piano scene, in which she was helping Darcy's sister turning the pages on the music sheets, the staring both actors exchange says it all. I'm not saying this is the only scene that shows it, but one of the most significant ones.
Besides, different people show different ways of loving. And in the 18th century you couldn't be exactly obvious. It is a subtle thing, it is suposed to be slightly hidden anyway, because at first Elizabeth doesn't want to admit her feelings, so she's in the internal struggle (and Jennifer totally nails it on the series) - and it's suposed to be a gradual thing, her love for Darcy. And she showed it gradually and, imo, in a the way it should be. Mature, and with many other emotions flowing through.
Because when Lizzy was with Darcy, she isn't suposed to feel only love for him. take in mind that in the final scenes she owes him much, so its a mix of regret, love, and admiration, and some restraint too, and that is incredibly hard to play but Jennifer did it. And keira didn't, she was too obvious and sometimes too immature and exagerated.

keira played lizzy's character like she plays any other character in every other movie.
It goes to the point of you watching Keira on a particular movie, and seeing bits of other chacters she played: "Oh, this looks like Elizabeth Swann...Oh this looks like Lizzy Bennet...and here she looks like exactly in the Duchess"
Get what I mean? She "drags" her performance.

One of the charms of P&P (the story) that has appealed to readers for so many years is the fact that all emotions, such as love, etc were not brought out in the open. Instead, it was very much a personal thing, which meant when Lizzie does fall in love etc, she does not only struggle with her previous dislike internally but love too. She is at a loss how she is to express or to tell Darcy that she's in love with him! One of the heart-stopping moments! Of course, her body language, not what she says gives her away. Perfectly portaryed by Jen in 95 version. In 05 - it's quite cringey as well bcz its so out there. I half wondered if KK could be more obvious

Agreed, samjhart
Aparently, what people want is an obvious romance. An obvious romance that was somehow not likely to happen but it did in the end. Well, there are plenty of movies out there just like that, so people saying that they liked the 05 version better because her love to darcy was more obviously potrayed...is like saying that you like old-fashioned movies but on a modern way.
What's the fun of watching a 18th century movie if the character's behaviour isn't accordingly to its time? Again, samjhart, you explained exactly why the older version is obviously better and so is Jen on her role of Elizabeth. I cannot describe well enough (it's so deep and personal) how I've loved to see the bbc series. It made my love for P&P reborn and my admiration for Elizabeth too.

I didn't hate Keira's portrayal as much as a lot of older fans seem to, but Jennifer's still gets my vote, hands down.

I find that Keira did the part to total justice.
She created this likeable charector who was witty, smart, and mature.
I hear some of you say that Keira was immature. I respectfully disagree, and if it still appears to you that way, let me say something: She was 20 years old.

She was still young, and back in the day, you didn't get to date or court. You pick someone, maybe dance with them once or twice, then you get married. Simple as that. It was a stressful matter, getting married. And we were caught right in the middle of this hard point in life for her. She made it easy to get through, and not painful to watch. Jennifer always looked fed up about something to me.

All in all, Keira brought the since of livelyness and realism Jane Austen was trying to give to her audience, only on the big screen.

kierra rocks as elizabeth... absolutly perfect

i think Keira Knightley was better but thats me!

I totally agree with everything that spinelli and samjhart said. I mean, Keira is, I'm sure,a really good actress in her own right; i such don't think that she suited Elizabeth's character at all. Jennifer WAS Elizabeth in every sense; looks, the way she carried herself, the way she treated others, her personality, etc... But that is just my opinion.

She was a PERFECT Lizzy !

Jennifer, stiff? How can she be stiff when she is always smiling and moving around and having a whole bunch of emotions on her face. Seriously. And Keira knightley made a very annoying Lizzy and she made me very mad

For those who read the book, who really care about what Jane Austen wanted her characters to be - Jennifer's the best!

Keira was more lively which, i do agree made her seem a little immature and ungraceful by those century standards, but whenever i read the book & i read Elizabeth's dialogue, i always find myself thinking of Keira's lively way of talking in the 2005 movie. But i do think Jennifer was more 'to the book', but i find myself imagining Keira anyway.

Ritengo che la Lizzy del 1995 sia molto piu' rispondente per abbigliamento e modi ad una signorina di buona famiglia di inizio 1800. Elisabeth Bennet indossava sicuramente sempre il cappellino ed i guanti, ed abiti graziosi, anche se piu' modesti rispetto alle signorine piu' altolocate (vedi le Bingly). Trovo invece troppo banale e volgare di modi e di abbigliamento Elisabeh del 2005. Forse la piu' giusta nell'estitica, nell'essere graziosità , nell'abbigliamento, nei modi per rispondenza al libro ed all'epoca è la Lizzy del 1980.
Sono molto affezionata alla serie del 1980, penso che sia come veramente la Austen immaginava Lizzy e Darcy.
Un bacione a chi come me è una appassionata di Pride and Prejudice.
Ho scritto in italiano per essere piu' chiara, mi scuso con chi non mi comprenderà.

I can understand why people might think Keira to be a bit too immature and silly as Lizzy and Jennifer certainly appears more mature in that respect but I like Smophie I just found Lizzy to be so lively in the books she didn't seem to be like other women of that age. She was light-hearted and fun and I do think Jennifer had the same characteristics. I think Lizzy is so passionate and full of emotion that occasionally her lady-like manners give way and that's what I liked about Keira. I thought Jennifer was too composed for some of the things she said, like when she was arguing with Darcy after he proposed the first time. It didn't match up sometimes. I like Keira a lot more since I saw her in P&P.

I don't necessarily believe that one actress is more outstanding than the other, and I do believe that for beginners, people who perhaps haven't read pride and prejudice before seeing the movie, or those who have only read pride and prejudice instead of all of Jane Austen's works, Keira Knightly makes them feel connected to Elizabeth Bennet. however, Pride and Prejudice 1995 much better portrays the entirety of what I think Jane Austen was aiming for, both in character and in consequence.... just my humble opinion, of course...

err, actually, it does not say ANYWHERE in the book that lizzie was plain. seriously, re-read it.
in fact, jane austen does not even say that jane is the prettiest. the characters in the book, ie mr bingley, mrs bennet, see jane as the prettiest because she has blond hair. it sounds strange, i know, but that is what people were like.
it is exactly like the anne of green gables series, very few people of that time saw anne as pretty, purely because of her red hair and freckles, when, in fact, she probably was. people were not as open-minded, then.
i suppose what i'm getting at is that, although elizabeth was not considered pretty by people of that era, it doen't mean she wasn't pretty. she just didn't fit the stereotype. jane was not neccesarily better looking.

as for who was a better lizzie, personally i prefer jennifer ehle. i'm not saying she was a better elizabeth then keira knightley (actually, neither of them come close to the way i imagine her), i've just seen keira knightley in too many films. i'm afraid i will always see her as elizabeth swan from pirates of the caribbean.

Keira is the best.

surely keira!!!!
really made a true picture of what jane austen wrote !

i do love kiera better as elizabeth, but i will admit that jennifer looks more victorian and probably more as elizabeth bennett should and would b. just because shes more pale, and her hair, and just the manner she had. jennifer is def. a very good actress, but i've always loved kiera's performance better :) <3

Keira was moreeee attractive , intelligent and suited well to elizabeth than that stupid , fat , ugly and old jenn...

^*rolls eyes*

coul we plz have dignified debate without attacking the actresses' physical features?

and mahnoor how is Keira more intelligent if they were playing the same role..?

Also Jen is curvy NOT fat. Women of that era were expected to fill their corsets in all the right places :) Funny how you never called Susannah Harker fat since she was pregnant during filming lol..but anyhoo, bottom line none of the were fat

Jennifer potrayed Lizzy more believably.

I wish there was an option for both.

Jennifer Ehle did better than Keira Knightley could ever hope to in that movie. Its like she didn't even respect the person she was playing she did it so badly. Jeniffer was THE best Elizabeth EVER. I couldn't have chosen a better one myself, if I'm being completely honest..... :)

i have not seen the mini series of Pride and Prejudice, so maybe i would have chosen the other woman if i did. but i doubt it. i thought Keira Knightley was excellent. i have not read Pride and Prejudice YET, but recently i got a book containing all Jane Austen's works. so i will read it soon. but i thought Keira's charm and charisma made up for a great performance in my opinion. it was probably my favorite role of hers. and don't forget this people, she was nominated for BEST actress at the academy awards for that.

Even though I'm not a Keira fan, I did think she did a wonderful job as Lizzy. She just wasn't as good as Jennifer. It's pretty close, though.

She seemed to be more intelligent and her looks were more like Lizzy.

Without a doubt, Keira Knightley!!! She's a much better actor (in my mind!) and conveys Lizzy in a better way!!!

I haven't watched the 1995 version yet but I'm planning to. I've watched some clips from the 1995 version and Jennifer didn't capture my attention as much as Keira did. To me Keira portrayed Elizabeth perfectly. She was exactly how I pictured Elizabeth.

Yeah, it's true Keira is too skinny for tha part, but I have a whole problem with '95 version. Let's not forget that even though Jennifer seems to be ideal for the role, it has to do with how each director pictured the book in their head. The 2 versions focus on different things. '95 versions stays loyal to the book while '05 version tries to "see" the book from a different perspective. The first is more "traditional" than the other, which is more artistic.

Keira Did the Role Perfectly. Lizzy was Supposed to be a Beautiful, Smart Girl, Keira Brought That up. I Only saw some Clips of the 1995 Version, (Mostly Watching Colin's Scene By the Lake :P) so I Can't Judge Jennifer's Act.

No way Kiera could play this part - she's bipolar - either a giggly girl or bitchy. Why would Darcy like her???
Jennifer really captures Elizabeth Bennet.

Keira Knightley is Very Sweet and I would like to say that Elizabeth's Role Suit her!She Looks somewhat Exact Like Jane Austen...

Both were pretty good, but I would give more points to Jennifer Ehle.

I much prefered Keira.

Keira definately, i just don't think Jennifer fit Elizabeth like Keira did.

For me she is the best Elizabeth.

Keira in my opinion has not grasped the role of Elizabeth Bennet, she was very amused, not like!!!

I respectfully disagree with you fishface fans. Jennifer Ehle was Obviously the better of the two, although kiera was alright, I think the 2005 adaption was a disgrace to the book and the 1995 adaption.

Keira was amazing! She captured the character of Elizabeth so perfectly!

I think Keira was more playful, but still a smart ass.