Pride And Prejudice’s Director Shared The Story Behind Mr. Darcy’s Iconic Hand Flex Scene, And I’m Swooning All Over Again

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As a die-hard movie enthusiast, let me tell you, Mr. Darcy is undeniably the monarch of longing. This fellow earned himself a diploma in ardor studies, and he’s got a knack for delivering those soulful glances that could melt any heart. His affection for Elizabeth Bennet is nothing short of extraordinary, as evidenced throughout the entirety of one of the 2000s’ most unforgettable films, Pride & Prejudice. Matthew Macfadyen’s portrayal of Mr. Darcy was simply brilliant. But there’s one scene everyone still whispers about – you know, the one with the subtle hand gesture? Now, on the eve of the movie’s 20th anniversary, the director has finally spilled the beans about that legendary moment.

In this poignant scene from the Jane Austen adaptation, I found myself witnessing a tender moment between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. As she prepared to depart, stepping into the carriage, Mr. Darcy extended his hand to assist her gracefully. The air crackled with emotion, and as he walked away, he subtly clenched his fist – a detail not originally scripted, yet vital to the narrative’s impact, as director Joe Wright revealed to People.

Though it wasn’t initially planned, that particular scene held significant weight in the narrative. It was during their farewell when they both came to understand the impact they had on one another – be it emotionally supportive or causing unintended turmoil in each other’s lives.

To put it simply, this crucial scene is a game-changer for transforming adversaries into sweethearts in the movie, contributing to the captivating love narrative that makes “Pride & Prejudice” stand out among other romantic films. Incredibly, this scene was almost omitted, but luckily Matthew Macfadyen came up with the idea, resulting in one of the film’s most memorable moments.

In a continuation of his discourse, it became clear that the scene indicated an as-yet-unacknowledged pull between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, their feelings perhaps not fully comprehended by their minds at this point. The slight twitch in Macfadyen’s fingers upon contact with Elizabeth’s hand hinted at a stirring of emotion within him, and from then on, both characters found themselves deeply smitten, head over heels.

Discussing further the significance of this particular scene from one of Keira Knightley’s finest movies, the director commented on its symbolism.

Our physical selves are often wiser than our conscious thoughts might suggest. Despite their minds being at odds with each other, their bodies seem magnetically attracted to one another. The slightest touch, such as her lifting a hand in courtesy of the time period, can send a jolt like an electric shock wave through both of them, causing him to shake it off.

Oh my, I find myself falling in love anew each time I rewatch Pride & Prejudice! The way Mr. Darcy comes to appreciate Elizabeth never fails to capture me, and that particular scene is one of many reasons it does so.

Initially, Wright had his doubts about it. Looking back to when they filmed the carriage scene in the early 2000s, he elaborated on why he felt it didn’t quite capture his intended vision.

On a rather dismal day, we captured the footage. Frankly, I feared that my intended message might not have come across clearly, but surprisingly, it seems we managed to narrate our story effectively. Initially, while filming, I had doubts – ‘Oh dear, this isn’t working out.’ However, it’s quite strange and delightful to see that the footage is still being shared. It’s a pleasant surprise indeed.

Reflecting on that iconic scene from two decades ago, I can’t help but marvel at how the cinematographer didn’t just capture a simple shot, they crafted an enduring moment in pop culture history. To this day, conversations about Mr. Darcy still revolve around his powerful hand flex, a testament to its lasting impact on us all.

Starting from April 20th to 23rd, Pride & Prejudice will be back in movie theaters for those who want to watch it on the big screen. If you can’t make it to the theater, you can enjoy the 2005 version of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy by streaming it with a Netflix subscription instead.

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2025-04-19 03:07