The first well-known cinematic adaptation came in 1940, with Greer Garson (who was 36 when the movie was released) as Elizabeth Bennet and Shakespearean actor Laurence Olivier as Mr. Darcy. 'Hannah and Her Sisters' actress Maureen O'Sullivan played Jane, while 'Miracle on 34th Street' actor Edmund Gwenn was absentminded Mr. Bennet. The screenplay was partially based on Jerome's Broadway adaptation.

By MGM Studios
Greer Garson as Lizzy Bennet in the 1940 'Pride and Prejudice' film.