- 17 hours ago
Episode 1 tells the untold story of the Bennet sister with romance, drama, and personal struggles.
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Short filmTranscript
00:17It is a sad fact of life that if a young woman is unlucky enough to come into the world
00:22without expectations,
00:23she had better do all she can to ensure that she is beautiful.
00:31To be poor and handsome is misfortune enough, but to be penniless and plain is a hard fate indeed.
00:41Or so my mother taught us.
00:44Mr. Bennet, have you heard Netherfield Park is lit at last?
00:49I have not.
00:54Do you want to know who has taken it?
00:57You want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.
01:00I would like to know.
01:03It has been lent to a Mr. Bingley, a single man of large fortune, four or five thousand a year.
01:14I heard someone came down on Monday in a chaise and four.
01:18From whom did you hear this?
01:19Girls, you must prepare yourselves.
01:23Mrs. Long told me he is from the north of England.
01:26He saw Netherfield Park, fell in love with it and snapped it up straight away.
01:30In order to understand my mother's enthusiasm for this stranger's arrival, we must start at the beginning.
01:39With cake in Meriton, England.
01:46Where a wealthy boy met a beautiful girl.
01:51Father, meet mother.
01:53Sadly, the happiness of this union was to be undone by an archaic entail that meant only a male heir
01:59could inherit my father's estate.
02:01And what followed was girl, after girl, after girl, after girl, after girl.
02:12That's his fortune, and her beauty were worthless.
02:17Mother spent her days trying to involve father in how to overcome their dire situation.
02:22But father hid in his newspaper, indifferent to the cause.
02:26Why should he engage?
02:27When the time comes...
02:28I'll be dead anyway.
02:31Our mother, not known for giving up easily, found a chink of light.
02:36A saving grace.
02:38Each of her children possessed a certain je ne sais quoi.
02:42Be it Jane's beauty.
02:46Lizzie's wit.
02:48Kitty's good humour.
02:50Or Lydia's...
02:51Spirit.
02:55If she could secure advantageous marriages for each of us girls, it would be enough to save us all from
03:00destitution.
03:03Although I had not found my own best quality...
03:08Oh...
03:08I was quite sure that I would.
03:10My fault, Mary.
03:11Until the day my mother's true opinion of me was confirmed.
03:16Mary has an awfully ruddy complexion.
03:19She does not have the complexion of her sisters, that is true.
03:23And she is clumsy.
03:25Ungainly.
03:26Maladroite, as they say.
03:29Four good marriages will have to do.
03:31I only hope she does not ruin her sister's chances.
04:01I only hope she does not ruin her sister's chances.
04:11If you're not the beautiful one, the quick-witted one, or the ones that are good at games and full
04:18of youthful energy, then who are you?
04:22And what can you do if you're the odd one out?
04:27Is it possible you'll ever find a way to fit in?
04:33Worse, I think.
04:47Worse, still.
04:49Do not fret, Miss Bennet.
05:01Have we found it?
05:04I think we have, Mr. Sparrow.
05:06Oh, thank goodness for that.
05:15You see, the lenses here correct your vision by bending light rays.
05:18Well, I never.
05:21Hm?
05:35You really do look very well in your spectacles.
05:39Especially when you smile.
05:44Ah, I do not think my mother will agree.
05:46But I have a great passion for reading, and I would have been sad to stop.
05:53I hope they will help you better enjoy the upcoming Meriton Assembly.
05:56An Assembly?
05:57Yes.
05:58In a month.
05:59I heard this morning.
06:01My sisters will be pleased.
06:05Perhaps I shall see you there.
06:07Hm.
06:13Miss Mary, you ought to get on.
06:15Oh, of course.
06:15I'll settle affairs here.
06:19And thank you, Mrs. Sparrow.
06:28I have news.
06:31There's going to be an Assembly in Meriton in a month.
06:34We know.
06:35Oh.
06:35I'm going to be the one to tell Mama.
06:38This will mark my first Assembly.
06:40My first venture into society.
06:44So it will.
06:48How might I secure a partner for dancing?
06:50I've always wondered.
06:51Oh, Mary, I'm sure your clever mind can work out something as simple as dance partners.
06:56Do not fret.
06:57Not?
06:57Not fretting.
07:22I'm going to fill my card for dances.
07:25Jane, do you think I shall be allowed to dance?
07:27Mary, move.
07:28Do you hope you're not going to span this close at the Assembly?
07:31Oh, we should have taken the long route.
07:34Oh, these are my good boots.
07:37Oh, all for you for wearing them.
07:40Dan.
07:45Do you think russet would be too harsh for my complexion?
07:48I don't see why it should.
07:50It would match my eyes, I suppose.
07:52Your eyes are green.
07:54You are so inattentive.
08:00Mr. Thompson told me himself.
08:02I was the first to know that the ball is confirmed.
08:04We were the first.
08:05I was the first.
08:06You were stood a little behind me.
08:07It is wonderful.
08:08What will I wear?
08:10Are Kitty and Lydia allowed to attend the ball, Father?
08:12Why would we not be?
08:13I was the one that found out about it.
08:14Am I allowed?
08:16Jane, Lizzie, you'll of course go.
08:19And Mary.
08:19Father, I shall die if I do not go.
08:22I'll probably die too.
08:23I very much doubt that.
08:24Mr. Bennet, Kitty and Lydia will also need to find husbands.
08:29After Jane and Lizzie, of course.
08:33I don't see what this fuss is all about.
08:35It's horrible, sweaty affairs.
08:38Mary, you will attend.
08:41Oh, well, of course, Mother, if you wish.
08:46Lady Lucas and I will need someone to fetch us our drinks.
08:49As long as I am not expected to attend.
08:51Mr. Bennet.
08:51I told you, I will not attend another of those insufferable muddy little dancers.
08:57I wonder if Mr. Bingley will be going to the Meriton Assembly.
09:00Oh, he must be.
09:02Who would miss it?
09:03Me, apparently.
09:04You shall all go to the ball, as long as I am obliged to hear no more about you.
09:10I shall never be rid of you otherwise.
09:14Perhaps I shall dance with Bingley too.
09:15I'm me.
09:16This excitement over a man you've never set eyes on is quite ridiculous.
09:18Oh, Mary, we're only indulging ourselves.
09:27Mary is wearing spectacles.
09:30What on earth?
09:32Very good.
09:32I hope you find them most useful, Mary.
09:35I do, Father.
09:36Mr. Bennet, did you know about this?
09:39We discussed this at length.
09:41Mary was to visit the optician.
09:42Yes, but I did not know that she would actually need to wear glasses.
09:46You seem to forget, my dear, that I wear spectacles myself.
09:50But she is a woman.
09:53Nevertheless, she ought to be able to see.
09:55I think they look very well.
10:00Potatoes, Mary.
10:03In case she couldn't see them.
10:07I think you're very brave to be prepared to look so ugly.
10:09Lydia.
10:10But Papa, who is going to dance with Mary with those things on her face?
10:13Pleased to be able to read.
10:16Oh, I do hope you are to meet him.
10:18Surely we must.
10:20Spectacles indeed.
10:28Mama, Kitty and I will need new desks for the walk.
10:35Moon, I will need you to meet every day.
10:38for a city to be here.
10:39That's hot.
10:46gifts.
10:53And then I will be 100 breaths.
10:55It's been a roll.
11:00I'd like to jump on the floor.
11:17Maybe I could help you pick out a dress at the Meryton Assembly, Miss Mary.
11:21Oh, hell.
11:24What am I to do at a dance?
11:27Dance?
11:29But what if no one wants to dance with me?
11:33Then you'll eat lots of ices.
11:36Such fripperies are not for me.
11:38I wonder, Miss Mary, if you don't see yourself clearly.
11:41If you're saying I don't bear comparison to my sisters, I've known that for years.
11:45A daffodil might look plain next to a lily, but on its own there is much to be admired.
11:50Now I am tall and yellow.
11:53Miss Mary, I wonder if you wouldn't be a little happier if you went out in the world
12:00and saw yourself how other people see you, outside of your family.
12:08Well, that's decided.
12:10I am picking you out a new dress for the Assembly.
12:14And I will not hear another word on the subject.
12:28Help!
12:29I've lost my ribbons!
12:33Found us!
12:40Madam, please remain still, if you can.
12:49Does the gold make me look like...
12:54a little?
12:57Kitty!
12:58What is it?
12:59Those are my books, Lydia.
13:00I cannot reach my jewel's box.
13:02I need something to stand on.
13:03This is important, Mary.
13:05We need to start getting ready, Miss Mary.
13:15Jane is first.
13:17That's not fair, I'm always last.
13:20Mary, you're last.
13:24Do you think I'll be able to dance on it?
13:26Is this not that?
13:27Yes.
13:28It was two weeks ago.
13:29I know.
13:31Should we eat beforehand?
13:33Perhaps a very small meal.
13:35And don't drink too much.
13:36But what if I'm thirsty?
13:37Lydia, I don't suppose you want to relieve yourself behind a screen in front of everyone?
13:41Missy!
13:42I don't know.
13:43I don't know.
13:47I don't know.
13:52I don't know.
13:55I don't know.
13:58I don't know.
13:59I don't know.
14:00I don't know.
14:01I don't know.
14:01I don't know.
14:01I don't know.
14:02I don't know.
14:07I don't know.
14:16Is it too fine for me, do you think?
14:19You look very handsome in it.
14:32Katie!
14:33You have taken my party.
14:34I have, my heart.
14:35Miss Lydia, you have plenty of party.
14:37What's in that set?
14:51You have plenty of party.
14:56Well, thank you so much.
14:59We'll be back.
15:00Here we go.
15:48And I brought your ass, Mary.
15:51Oh, Charlotte!
15:53What's that about?
15:54I swear, the crowd gets bigger every season.
15:56I should limit entry to those young ladies, fortunate enough, to have secured partners.
16:01I thought the very same thing.
16:04I should limit entry to those young ladies.
16:35Mr. Bingley, welcome.
16:38These are my sisters, Louisa, and this is Caroline.
16:41This is Mr. Hurst and Mr. Darcy.
16:43And if I may present, Mrs. Bennet.
16:49Miss Jane Bennet.
16:52Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
16:56Kitty and Lydia.
17:00Oh, and this is Miss Mary Bennet.
17:06Mr. Campbell's girl in the whole neighbourhood.
17:09That is a great achievement, to be sure.
17:13Study clearly trumps all other considerations in your mind.
17:16What an example to us all.
17:26If I could be so good with Mr. Barclay.
17:28Oh, God, it's an idiot.
17:37It's easy.
17:38Ho, God.
17:40Ho, God.
17:44Ho, God.
17:45Ho, God.
17:49Ho, God.
17:56Ho.
18:08You will not believe the insufferable company that Mr. Bingley keeps.
18:13What has happened?
18:13I also heard, quite accidentally, Mr. Bingley talking to that conceited gentleman lent against
18:19the wall there, a Mr. Darcy, who said of me, he is tolerable, but not handsome enough
18:28to tempt me.
18:37Around we go!
18:43Excuse me, Ms. Bennett.
18:46I do not mean to intrude, but it is very bad for your eyes to screw them up in such
18:51a fashion.
18:52Mr. Sparrow?
18:53Perhaps I may be permitted to help you find what you're looking for.
18:57I was looking for, uh, my sisters.
19:02Take his hand.
19:05I'm quite exhausted from all the dancing.
19:07I just chose to sit this one out.
19:10That is a shame.
19:13I was going to ask if you would do me the honor of standing up with me for the next
19:16dance.
19:18I'm now feeling much rested.
19:20And I would be delighted.
19:22Well then, I thank you.
19:25Oh, yes.
19:28Shall we remain here until the next second place?
19:30Of course.
19:31That's exactly what I thought.
19:41How are your spectacles?
19:43Very well.
19:44Yes, I'm unable to study for hours without this year.
19:47I am delighted to hear that.
19:50It's my turn.
19:55Perhaps you could recommend a book to me.
19:58What do you read with such enjoyment?
20:02Well, Mrs. Catherine Macaulay has written a wonderful account of British history.
20:06It's a fascinating read.
20:07I will seek it out.
20:08Oh, are you a scholar, sir?
20:11I like to read, but science rather than history.
20:14I have a plan to study medicine in London, baths or maybe morphine's.
20:19What a noble ambition.
20:21But it is not a thing widely known.
20:23I have not mentioned it to anyone before you.
20:27I have not mentioned it to anyone before you.
21:36I'm regressing visiting the supper table so early, I should have had less oyster patties.
21:43It's fewer.
21:45It's fewer oyster patties.
21:50Here we go!
21:51Oh my God!
21:54Oh my God!
22:02Oh my God!
22:06Oh my God!
22:12Oh my God!
22:15Oh my God!
22:20Oh my God!
22:27Oh my God!
22:49It looks as though you are enjoying yourself, Mary.
22:54Your partner is the young John Sparrow, isn't he?
22:57Yes, the optician's son.
23:00And you have danced with him twice.
23:04Mary, you are very young.
23:07And perhaps do not fully appreciate how things are understood.
23:11If you are to dance with him again, it will be remarked upon.
23:14Two dances in succession suggest a liking.
23:16Three might imply something more.
23:22I'm very happy dancing with him.
23:36I see that you have stood up twice with the Sparrow boy.
23:41Yes, Mama.
23:43You will not dance with him again.
23:48But Mother, he's been most attentive. He's quite the gentleman.
23:53Mary, his father, owns a shop.
23:57Yes?
23:59With a bell.
24:03Mother, I have danced with him twice. I have no wish to marry him.
24:07You may not object to lowering yourself, but I will not have you ruin your sister's chances of a match.
24:34Would you care to dance again, Miss Bennet, once we have finished our ices?
24:40Mrs. Sparrow, I am afraid that I shall...
24:45I shall not be able to stand up with you again this evening.
24:48Oh.
24:49But I thought...
24:52I thought...
24:54I hope I have not offended you.
24:55No, no, no, not at all, sir.
24:57I've...
24:58Oh, I've...
24:58I've...
24:59I've...
24:59I've...
24:59I've...
25:00very much enjoyed...
25:01dancing with you.
25:03It's, um...
25:04That is to say that, um...
25:08My mother is...
25:10concerned.
25:11Concerned?
25:12Uh, um...
25:13For my sisters...
25:14And I, um...
25:16It's important that we make an...
25:17Uh...
25:18Appropriate social, um...
25:20One might say, uh...
25:22Financially, um...
25:24Well...
25:25A suitable match.
25:26Mrs. Bennet, there is no need for an explanation.
25:29I shall not pursue the matter.
25:31I've...
25:31Enjoyed...
25:32I've enjoyed my time.
25:33Um...
25:34Good evening to you.
25:37I'm sorry.
25:38I'm...
25:39Sorry.
25:42Sorry.
26:08Jane.
26:09Jane.
26:10Jane.
26:10Jane stood up with him twice.
26:12I had little time for his friend.
26:15Please do not hold that against Mr. Bingley.
26:17She's not going to go again soon.
26:18Yes.
26:20I danced with two soldiers.
26:21I'm not very good with faces, so I'm not sure how many times I stood up with anyone.
26:25Ew!
26:26As my mother and sisters happily dissected every moment of the ball, I felt a terrible sense
26:31of shame.
26:33I had caused hurt to a man whose only crime was being kind to me.
26:40Who was I?
26:42A coward who lacked the courage to follow her own inclinations.
26:46It was time to find my own way.
26:50To look for a new version of myself.
26:53As a serious-minded woman.
26:56From now on, knowledge and reason would be my guide.
27:01No more ribbons, ball gowns, or dance cards.
27:05The old Mary would be no more.
27:07I would transform into the intellectual one.
27:11That was how I would stand out as the other Bennet sister.
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