Will the real Lizzie Bennet stand up?

Over the years Jane Austen's character, Elizabeth Bennet, has been portrayed by a number of talented actresses, who all put their own touch on the feisty, opinionated miss. I know which is my favorite. Who's yours? I'd love to hear what you think and why. Who came closest to the vision you had after reading the book?
And if you had the opportunity to cast a new version, which of the current actresses would you choose?

Of whom could you hear Mr Fitzwiliam Darcy declare, "She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me."?

Greer Garson

Jennifer Ehrle

Keira Knightly

Elizabeth Garvie

 

 

Gemma Arteton

 



The character of Lizzie Bennet is so beloved, so well known, that it must be a pretty daunting task to play her. I confess, I often imagine who might portray my heroines in a movie version and I'm a tough, protective mummy when it comes to my characters! I wonder what Miss Jane Austen herself would think of these ladies and which one would meet with her approval. Although it's interesting to note that the first illustrations of her characters had Lizzie as fair and her sister, Jane, as a brunette, Miss Austen herself leaves only the mention of Lizzie's "bright eyes" and light figure with which to tease us. And, of course, her petticoats, shamefully "six inches deep in mud."