Pride and Prejudice (1940)

Laurence Olivier: Mr. Darcy

Photos 

Quotes 

• Mr. Darcy : Yes, she looks tolerable enough, but I am in no humor tonight to give consequence to the middle classes at play.

• Mr. Darcy : I rather admired what you did this afternoon Miss Elizabeth. Your resentment of what you believe to be an injustice showed courage and loyalty. I could wish i might possess a friend who would defend me as ably as Mr. Wickham was defended today.

  Elizabeth Bennet : At this moment it's difficult to believe that you're so proud.

  Mr. Darcy : At this moment it's difficult to believe that you're so prejudiced.

• Caroline Bingley : ...and her sisters Jane and Elizabeth were seen running down Market Street in an attempt to escape their disgrace. Isn't that exquisitely funny, Mr. Darcy?

  Mr. Darcy : Exquisitely. Just think how you would roar with laughter if it happened to yourself.

• Mr. Darcy : You must allow me to tell you how much I admire and love you.

• Mr. Darcy : I have made the mistake of being honest with you.

  Elizabeth Bennet : Honesty is a greatly overrated virtue. Silence in this case would have been more agreeable.

• Caroline Bingley : A waltz, Mr. Darcy.

  Mr. Darcy : Yes.

  Caroline Bingley : How modern.

  Mr. Darcy : Yes, indeed.

• Mr. Bingley : The place is full of pretty girls!

  Mr. Darcy : I have noticed only one and you seemed to have monopolized her.

  Mr. Bingley : Yes, isn't she lovely? But, there's that sister of hers, Miss Elizabeth. They say she has quite a lively wit.

  Mr. Darcy : Ugh! A provincial young lady with a lively wit. Heaven preserve us!

• Sir William Lucas : Dancing is a charming amusement for young people. In my opinion, it's one of the first refinements of a polite society.

  Mr. Darcy : It has the added advantage, sir, of being one of the first refinements of savages. Every Huttentot can dance.

  Sir William Lucas : Oh, yes. Yes. Quite so.

• Caroline Bingley : I must know. Pray explain what the two motives might be, Mr. Darcy.

  Mr. Darcy : I've not the smallest objection to explaining.

  [explaining Caroline's motives on why she asked Mr. Darcy to walk with her and Elizabeth] 

  Mr. Darcy : Either you have secret affairs to discuss, or, you are conscious that your figures show to the greatest advantage while walking. In the first case, I should be completely in your way. And, in the second, I can admire you much better from where I am.

  Caroline Bingley : Perfectly abominable! What shall we do to punish him, Miss Eliza?

  Elizabeth Bennet : As you know him so well, I shall leave his punishment to you.

• Elizabeth Bennet : Are you a good shot with the bow and arrow, Mr. Darcy?

  Mr. Darcy : Tolerable.

  Elizabeth Bennet : Only - tolerable?

  Mr. Darcy : Well, it's a fine old sport. And one in which even a young lady can become proficient.

  Elizabeth Bennet : So I've heard.

  Mr. Darcy : At a short range, of course. And, with a light bow.

• Elizabeth Bennet : Thank you, Mr. Darcy. You saved me from one of the most dangerous bores in the country.

  Mr. Darcy : If the dragon returns, Saint George will know how to deal with him.

• Mr. Darcy : Miss Elizabeth thinks I do not laugh enough.

  Caroline Bingley : I should be sorry to see you laugh more than you do. To me, there's something so unrefined about excessive laughter.

• Mr. Darcy : A gentleman does not have to explain his action. He expects people to give him credit for being a man of honor and integrity.

• Mr. Darcy : Miss Elizabeth, I have thought a great deal of what you said to me at Netherfield that day - thank you - about laughing more. I've tried to follow your advice.

  Elizabeth Bennet : I hope it worked. Do you feel happier now?

  Mr. Darcy : I've never felt more miserable in my life.

  Elizabeth Bennet : It's doubtless the lack of exercise. You'll feel happier when the hunting season begins.

• Mr. Darcy : Oh, don't stop, Miss Elizabeth. That was charming!

  Elizabeth Bennet : Isn't that the right time to stop when people still think you're charming? If I went on, you might change your mind.

• Mr. Darcy : This last week, since I left Netherfield, had been empty, meaningless days and nights. I thought that I could put you out of my mind. That inclination would give way to judgment. I've walked the streets of London reminding myself of the unsuitability of such a marriage. Ah, the obstacles between us. But, it won't do. I can struggle against you no longer.

• Mr. Darcy : Whatever I did, I thought only of you.

  Elizabeth Bennet : Oh, Mr. Darcy! When I think of how I've misjudged you!

• Mr. Darcy : Well?

  Lady Catherine de Bourgh : A blank refusal.

  Mr. Darcy : She refused to see me?

  Lady Catherine de Bourgh : She refused not to see you.

  Mr. Darcy : Did she?

  Lady Catherine de Bourgh : Most emphatically! But that's not the worst, Darcy. I told her that I could strip you of your fortune if I chose to. But she refused to be the least impressed.

  Mr. Darcy : You see?

  Lady Catherine de Bourgh : Yes, I see, Darcy. I grant I was wrong about that. But there's one thing I can't agree with. You told me at Rosings she was nothing if not decided. That's not true. The young woman is positively obstinate.

  Mr. Darcy : What? Did she refuse anything else?

  Lady Catherine de Bourgh : Well, she... she merely refused to refuse to marry you.

• Mr. Darcy : How can I ever thank you, Aunt Catherine?

  Lady Catherine de Bourgh : Upon my word, I'm not accustomed to so much gratitude. Everybody seems to be thanking me today.