The 2005 film adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, is airing on BBC Two this Sunday, July 12, at 4.25pm for one day only. The film recently departed Netflix, making this broadcast a rare free-to-watch opportunity for fans.
Acclaimed adaptation
Screenwriter Deborah Moggach spent over two years crafting the screenplay, producing approximately 10 separate versions. Director Joe Wright initially hesitated to cast Knightley, believing she was "too pretty" for the role of Elizabeth Bennet, as she revealed on The Graham Norton Show.
Despite mixed reviews from critics, Austen enthusiasts have hailed it as one of the finest adaptations of the classic 1813 novel. In July 2025, the film appeared in the Readers' Choice edition of The New York Times' compilation of The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century.
Viewer praise
Fans have flocked to IMDb to share their admiration. One reviewer called it an "emotional masterpiece," stating: "Pride and Prejudice was the best movie I've seen in a very long time, if not the best I've ever seen. It captured the very essence of Jane Austen's brilliant novel. In fact, I enjoyed the movie more than the book itself."
Another viewer described it as "absolutely perfect," adding: "This Pride and Prejudice adaptation perfectly captured the wit, the intelligence, the passion and the romance of Jane Austen's classic." A third fan dubbed it "simply excellent," commenting: "It's simplicity that empowered every possibility for imagination. The music, the natural scenes, the arts, and every honest soul in the movie made this film alive."
Broadcast details
The film charts the tempestuous romance between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy, exploring the ramifications of rash conclusions. It will be shown on BBC Two this Sunday, July 12, at 4.25pm. Viewers are encouraged to tune in for this one-day-only free broadcast.
