I MUST be the only woman in the Western world not to have seen Colin Firth smoulder as Mr Darcy in the 1994 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

So it was with little knowledge of this celebrated performance that I was able to judge Matthew Macfayden's portrayal of the enigmatic aristocrat in the latest version of the Jane Austen classic. And from what I can see Macfayden does a damn fine job, although Colin Firth fans may beg to differ.

Less can be said though for co-star Keira Knightley, who fails to demonstrate she is much more than a pouting ironing board.

She plays razor-tongued Elizabeth Bennet, one of five sisters brought up by their mother in the class-conscious Georgian era, with one purpose in life - finding a husband.

When wealthy batchelor Mr Bingley (Simon Woods) takes up residence in a nearby mansion, the Bennets are abuzz. Surely, among Bingley's sophisticated circle of friends, there will be enough suitors for the Bennet sisters?

However when Elizabeth locks horns with Bingley's best friend, the seemingly snobbish Mr Darcy, the saying that the path of true love never runs smooth could not be more apt.

Beautifully shot and well scripted P&P is yet another fine adaptation of Austen's much-loved text. Purists may quibble that some of the original storylines were not explored, although this would simply be impossible in a two-hour film.

EB