It has been more than two decades since Joe Wright‘s adaption of ‘Pride & Prejudice’ first graced our screens and won an irreplaceable place in our hearts. From the sweeping cinematography to the unforgettable chemistry between Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, everything in the movie is just perfect.
Except, when it comes to the ending. Depending on where you watched it, you might have seen an entirely different ending to Lizzie and Mr Darcy’s story and here’s why.
‘Pride & Prejudice’ UK Vs USA
When Joe Wright was creating his adaptation, one thing that especially troubled him was the ending. “We couldn’t really figure out how to end the movie,” director Joe Wright admitted. “And we wanted to avoid the kind of cliché wedding scene.”
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So, the crew decided to go with two separate options. The version released in the United States concludes with an intimate scene at Pemberley, where Lizzie and Darcy share a quiet evening, ending with a perfect kiss.
British audiences, however, never saw that scene in theatres. Instead, the UK version ends moments earlier when Elizabeth was speaking to her father, Mr Bennet, about her engagement to Mr Darcy. The touching father-daughter conversation marked the final scene.
The different endings were not created by accident. During the UK test screenings, the romantic epilogue didn’t receive much positive reception. In fact, some viewers even criticised it for being overly sentimental, cheesy and even unnecessarily sexualized.
But American test audiences, on the other hand, responded far more positively to the sweet ending. As a result, the filmmakers just decided to go with two different endings based on the region where the movie is airing.
Joe Wright’s Stance On The Alternate Endings
As for Joe Wright, he ultimately prefers the original British ending. “But that’s probably because I’m British,” Wright joked when discussing the two versions. “The American ending is possibly a little sweeter, and Americans like sugar. So, that seems about appropriate.”
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The late Donald Sutherland, who portrayed Mr Bennet, also preferred the British ending. Wright revealed that the actor “loved” the conclusion ending on a sweet moment between the father-daughter duo.
“He was a very emotional man. I remember him crying and thanking me when he saw it,” Wright recalled.
Now, two decades later, both endings continue to have their devoted supporters. The British finale stays true to the novel’s tone and ends with warmth and elegance. Yet, it is impossible not to have a soft spot for the “perfectly, and incandescently happy” scene that continues to win our hearts every time we rewatch it.
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