My Favorite Mr. Darcy and Lizzie Scenes from Pride and Prejudice (Part 2 of 2)

My favorite movie at the moment is the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice directed by Joe Wright. I’ve only seen this movie for the first time more than a week ago (11 June 2010 to be exact) but have since watched it more than 15 times. Here is the second part of my list of top 10 favorite Mr. Darcy and Lizzie scenes in reverse order. Check out the first part here.

# 5 – Proposal at dawn

Though this must be the top favorite of a lot of Pride and Prejudice fans (after all, this was the proposal where Lizzie finally said yes), there are scenes that I enjoyed more. Of course, it’s quite hard to refuse a slightly disheveled looking Mr. Darcy saying “You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you.” though I’m not even sure if that was a stutter or if he was repeating himself for emphasis. But it was so lovely all the same, and such a perfect way to end the story.

# 4 – And so he smiles.

How can I not love the only scene where Mr. Darcy actually smiles? While Georgiana is playing so well on the pianoforte, Lizzie and the Gardiners arrive. Mr. Darcy seemed much more relaxed and open than we’ve ever seen him before, which is either because of the presence of his sister, or his growing love for Lizzie, or probably a combination of both. I particularly love how proud he seemed to be of his brother, and how so many smiling looks were exchanged between Mr. Darcy and Georgiana, Mr. Darcy and Lizzie, and Georgiana and Lizzie. Such a nice happy family-to-be.

# 3 – The most awkward call of all time

While Lizzie is settled down alone at the Collins, Mr. Darcy storms in and stands fidgeting, looking most awkward and out of his depth. He glances around with a slightly panicked expression on his face, and when it was quite obvious that Lizzie was waiting for him to say something, the only thing he could come up with is, “This is a charming home.” When he hears the arrival of Mrs. Collins, he hurriedly departs with the words, “It’s been a pleasure.” We echo Charlotte’s astonishment when she asked, “What on earth did you to do to poor Mr. Darcy?” and Lizzie replies with equal astonishment, “I have no idea.”

# 2 – Surprise, surprise

Lizzie is visiting Pemberly with her Aunt and Uncle, and she strays away accidentantally and spies Georgina in a room, playing on the pianoforte. This is interrupted by the sudden arrival of her brother, Mr. Darcy, who looks up and sees Lizzie. She tries to run, much embarassed by having been seen by Mr. Darcy in his own estate. He follows her, quite obviously very surprised (though pleased) to see her. His demeanor has already changed much from his stiff and formal attitude before, and you could see how he wanted to stay there talking to her for a longer time. However, she hurries off and turns down his offer to see her back to the village.

# 1 – “I love you. Most ardently.” (a.k.a. the trainwreck proposal)

Without a doubt, this is my favorite scene in the entire movie. Mr. Darcy proposes to Lizzie in the rain by saying that he loves her most ardently, and yet unwittingly insults her in the process. I love this intense scene so much that I better just transcribe the whole conversation here:

Mr. Darcy: Miss Elizabeth. I have struggled in vain and I can bear it no longer. These past months have been a torment. I came to Rosings with the single object of seeing you… I had to see you. I have fought against my better judgment, my family’s expectations, the inferiority of your birth by rank and circumstance. These things I am willing to put aside and ask you to end my agony.

Lizzie: I don’t understand.

Mr. Darcy: I love you. Most ardently. Please do me the honor of accepting my hand.

Lizzie: (after a pause) Sir, I appreciate the struggle you have been through, and I am very sorry to have caused you pain. Believe me, it was unconsciously done.

Mr. Darcy: Is this your reply?

Lizzie: Yes, sir.

Mr. Darcy: Are you… are you laughing at me?

Lizzie: No.

Mr. Darcy: Are you rejecting me?

Lizzie: I’m sure that the feelings which, as you’ve told me have hindered your regard, will help you in overcoming it.

Mr. Darcy: Might I ask why, with so little endeavor at civility, I am thus repulsed?

Lizzie: And I might as well enquire why, with so evident a design of insulting me, you chose to tell me that you liked me against your better judgment.

Mr. Darcy: No, believe me, I…

Lizzie: If I was uncivil, then that is some excuse. But I have other reasons, you know I have.

Mr. Darcy: What reasons?

Lizzie: Do you think anything might tempt me to accept the man who has ruined, perhaps forever, the happiness of a most beloved sister? Do you deny it, Mr. Darcy? That you separated a young couple who loved each other, exposing your friend to the censure of the world for caprice and my sister to its derision for disappointed hopes, involving them both in misery of the acutest kind?

Mr. Darcy: I do not deny it.

Lizzie: How could you do it?

Mr. Darcy: Because I believed your sister indifferent.

Lizzie: Indifferent?

Mr. Darcy: I watched them most carefully and realized his attachment was deeper than hers.

Lizzie: That’s because she’s shy!

Mr. Darcy: Bingley too is modest and was persuaded she didn’t feel strongly.

Lizzie: Because you suggested it!

Mr. Darcy: I did it for his own good!

Lizzie: My sister hardly shows her true feelings to me. (silence) I suppose you suspect that his… his fortune had some bearing…

Mr. Darcy: No, believe me I wouldn’t do your sister the dishonour, though it was suggested…

Lizzie: What was?

Mr. Darcy: (after a pause) It was made perfectly clear an advantageous marriage…

Lizzie: (enraged) Did my sister give that impression?

Mr. Darcy: No, no! No, there was, however, I have to admit, the matter of your family…

Lizzie: Our want of connection? Mr. Bingley didn’t seem to vex himself about that…

Mr. Darcy: No, it was more than that.

Lizzie: How, sir?

Mr. Darcy: It was the lack of propriety shown by your mother, your three younger sisters, and even, on occasion, your father. (thunderclaps are heard, Lizzie is obviously hurt) Forgive me. You and your sister I must exclude from this.

Lizzie: And what about Mr. Wickham?

Mr. Darcy: (moves closer) Mr. Wickham?

Lizzie: What excuse can you give your… your behavior towards him?

Mr. Darcy: You take an eager interest in that gentleman’s affairs.

Lizzie: He told of his misfortunes…

Mr. Darcy: Oh yes, his misfortunes have been very great indeed.

Lizzie: You ruined his chances and then you treat him with sarcasm.

Mr. Darcy: So this is your opinon of me? Thank you for explaining so fully. Perhaps these offences might have been overlooked had not your pride been hurt…

Lizzie: My pride?!

Mr. Darcy: …by my honesty in admitting scruples about our relationship. Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your circumstances?

Lizzie: And those are the words of a gentleman. From the first moment I met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain for the feelings of others made me realize that you were the last man in the world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry.

Mr. Darcy: (leans in, looks at Lizzie for a long time as if about to kiss her) Forgive me, madam, for taking up so much of your time.

16 thoughts on “My Favorite Mr. Darcy and Lizzie Scenes from Pride and Prejudice (Part 2 of 2)

  1. My favorite is when Mr Darcy went to find Lizzie in Charlotte’s private parlor but couldn’t find the courage to propose and left hastily. “What on earth have you done to poor Mr Darcy?”

    I watched the 2005 movie for the first time last week and fell in love with the movie. It didn’t follow the book like the mini series did. But if I want a word for word reproduction of the book, I might as well read the book. The movie was well done – artistic, not-overacting (like Colin Firth swaggering when he talked), has beautiful scenes and music to go with it.

    Colin Firth’s Mr Darcy looked like a man of the world and a womanizer. So cockily sure of himself to the point that I dislike him. He was also fat. (sorry if you like fat people…)

    Matthew MacFadyen’s Mr Darcy looked like a reserved, strong, family man, sure of himself and his values and yet unfamiliar with the opposite sex. He was definitely a virgin and a worthy husband. I find his vulnerability quite sexy and his athletic build charming. Unfortunately MacFadyen wasn’t able to capitalize on the role and looks of Mr Darcy to forward his career like Firth did.

    Keira K. was definitely a livelier and feisty Lizzie. Jennifer E. was boring and does not have the spirit of Lizzie.

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  2. I love, I love, I love this movie!!! The acting is superb. I, too, have snuggled up with Pride and Prejudice at least 12 times. I become Elizabeth, and Mr. Darcy is mine.

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  3. This film is one of the most beautiful films of all times. I loved it since the first time I saw it and now it’s stuck in my mind.. I must say that I share the same feelings you have for the “rain scene” it is (in my opinion too) the best scene ever.
    Thank you for troubling yourself at the making of this
    Great job

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  4. Well here it is August of 2012 and I saw this movie for the first time last week! That evening after seeing it on TV I purchased it, and have watched it several times since with no sense of…that’s enough. I love this film, I dare say it’s one of my all time favorites and besides the lovely story and settings I attribute it all to the lovely and layered performance of Mathew MacFayden! Why this man is not a superstar is beyond me! Not that that is important in life, but he’s just so ahhhh :)! Lovely!

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  5. Hi,
    I have read just this post several times already. I enjoy it very much.
    That said, is there something in this phrase that needs adjustment? I can’t figure it out:
    #4 “I particularly love how proud he seemed to be of his brother,”

    Maybe “I particularly love how proud she seemed to be of her brother,”
    Or “I particularly love how proud he seemed to be of his sister”

    Thanks again!

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    1. Yeah, you’re right. I noticed that too. I think its supposed to be how proud ‘she’ is…

      Anywho, this is my favorite movie too! Watched the 2005 years ago, and just read the book recently. Love them both.

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  6. I just watched this film coz my friend recommended this for me. and all I can say about this movie is OH MY GOD HOW COULD A PERSON LIKE MR.DARCY EXIST? he’s just too sweet to be true, though that awkwardness made me feel like he’s such a bastard at the beginning. and yessss, i couldnt agree more with what you write in this post. the raining proposal scene is just toooo melting.

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  7. I as well saw this rendition before the Firth version and fell head over heels for it. That being said, when I did see the 6 hr series, there was no going back for me. I absolutely LOVED Collin Firth’s Darcy! Mostly because I thought a lot more of the book was in that version.
    But I absolutely agree that in both, the failed proposal scene was my absolute favorite Lizzy-Darcy interaction, filled with awkwardness, and rage that spilled from the screen.
    Most of the different versions I’ve seen have given me a different kind of appreciation for the dynamics of the two characters. (And for those with a taste for action and humor, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, leaves one with great mental images of Lizzy slamming Darcy into the mantle).

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  8. I just wanted to tell you how happy I am that my thoughts on pride and prejudice totally match yours!
    I loved your Darcy Elizabeth list! !!
    Cheers ^.^

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  9. I love your list 🙂 Watched this movie for the first time a few weeks ago and can’t get enough of it.

    I love every moment of it and the music is so captivating that I had to get the sheets, am now practicing “Georgiana” and “Dawn”.

    I tried watching the BBC version however this 2005 version had set the bar and I abandoned that one 10 minutes in.

    Keira Knightley and the gorgeous Matthew Macfadyen were electrifying, I thought their chemistry was intense. The cinematography was breathtaking and the whole movie made me feel as if I was there.

    I have since read the book as well and although I know this movie strayed from it in some parts, I still enjoyed it thoroughly and was not hung up on that.

    I now consider this my favourite movie, as it didn’t need any gory or sex scenes to captivate its audience, I am in love with Lizzy and Darcy’s journey to love, the differences they had to overcome, their loyalty to family/friends.

    Having said ALL that :), my 2 favourite scenes are (I have lost count of the number of times I have watched it or a few scenes and am planning to purchase the blu-ray and soundtrack!):

    1) the Pemberley scene when Lizzy was running away and Darcy called her and their ensuing awkward conversation. For me, it was the turning point for Lizzy, it was cute to see her at loss for polite conversation and Darcy was totally aching for her, emotions just pouring through his eyes!

    2) This is a toss between when Darcy introduced her to Georgiana..oh, that smile he gave Lizzy was so tender and the look they shared after Darcy came out of Mr. Bennet’s library and Lizzy was shutting the door. Her eyes were positively shining! (Her fine eyes, as in the book) And he looked relief..lol.

    Last week I went on an Austen binge and watched Persuasion’07 and Northanger Abbey. I also watched Sense and Sensibility when it came out in ’95 but none of them can compare to P&P’05 (as they call it).

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  10. I love your list …first when I read the book I fell in love with Mr Darcy’s charter N wen I watched the movie it was just awsome … I love Mr Darcy !!! Hez such a gentleman!!! I love the part where Mr Darcy entered …from there the movie was just worth watching …

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  11. In this current life, I love deeply my own sweetheart, whom I had fallen in love with when I was 13 or so years old.
    And as time has past, we had lived our own lives, seeing each other at times but never really having the chance to be together as one.
    We have that chance now, but life has been hard on my Love, and he finds it hard to relate in such a manner as to love all the while when we see one another. But when we do see and hold one another, our souls are one and the moments are breathtaking.
    But sweet moments are longed for, as the bitterness of life steals away our desired time to be together.
    As I watch Mr. Darcy and Lizzie finally come together in the end of the story , it brings me hope that one day my love and I will put life’s trials and tribulations aside,realizing that we are only here for but a time, to be together, to Love and respect one another for always.

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