The five Bennett sisters are of marrying age and would already be betrothed if wasn’t for their uncouth Shaolin training belittling their class.
To be educated in China for their zombie fighting skills, as opposed to what the Japanese training aristocrats receive, practically renders the Bennetts undesirable. That is until two handsome and wealthy bachelors move to town.
Col. Darcy is renowned for his zombie hunting and Mr. Bingley stands to inherit a fortune. Can they survive the apocalypse long enough to overcome their Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, to fall in love?
We say, “The title says it all.”
TAYLOR: Pride and Prejudice tells the story of 19th century debutantes and their romantic escapades. It is dramatic, comedic and by throwing zombies into the mix, becomes something altogether different. The only question with films like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is does the mix work?
HOWE: Pride and Prejudice = great. Zombies = fantastic. Now throw the two together and I thought it would be an awful mess.
In the last couple of years, movie makers have given us some pretty bad mixed-title horror movies – Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters and Abe Lincoln Vampire Hunter, which was written by this film’s writer, Seth Grahame-Smith – so I wasn’t holding out much hope for P&P&Zombies.
For being a tongue-in-cheek period piece I was pretty shocked by how well it was made. The costume department really outdid itself. The calibre of actors was very good (Charles Dance, Matt Smith and Sally Phillips to name a few) and the zombie makeup was some of the best I have seen in a movie. It kept me well entertained for the entire film.
TAYLOR: When I first saw the trailer, I was worried that there would be too many action sequence: shots of knives being pulled from garter belts in slow motion.
There was a bit of that, but I was pleased by how much Pride &Prejudice is left in what ultimately deteriorates into a regular, unwinnable zombie war story. At least the alternative history presented by the film was fun. I also enjoyed having to pay attention to language again.
HOWE: I really enjoyed the film’s sense of humour. It’s not laugh-out-loud giggles, but very subtle like an old English film.
There wasn’t too much blood for a movie like this. If there had been blood splashing all over the screen, I think it would have made the movie cheap and tacky. It had an interesting take on the zombies, who looked beautiful by the way. For a huge added bonus, Pride, Prejudice and Zombies wasn’t made in 3D.
– Taylor gives Pride and Prejudice and Zombies 3.5 heaving bosoms out of 5.
– Howe gives it 3.5 very respectable (and shocked) points out of 5.
Reel Reviews with Brian Taylor and Peter Howe appears in The Morning Star every Friday and Sunday.