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Pride And Prejudice Films Showing At State Theatre
modesto-theatre
When The State Theatre reopened in 2007 it boasted some modern features like a digital marquee, but classic aspects of the theatre were kept as homage to the heritage. - photo by Photo Contributed

The original classic and a unique version of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ are being screened this month at The State Theatre in Modesto. The theatre is at 1307 J St., Modesto.

First up, ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m.

Rated PG-13, the film runs one hour, 48 minutes and was released in 2016. A zombie outbreak has fallen upon the land in this reimagining of Jane Austen’s classic tale of the tangled relationships between lovers from different social classes in 19th century England. Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet (Lily James) is a master of martial arts and weaponry and the handsome Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley) is a fierce zombie killer, yet the epitome of upper class prejudice. As the zombie outbreak intensifies, they must swallow their pride and join forces on the blood-soaked battlefield in order to conquer the undead once and for all.

The movie will be preceded by a zombie walk costume parade across the theater’s stage and is a kickoff event for the Jane Austen-themed JaneCon Weekend being observed in Modesto.

As part of the ‘From Page to Screen’ film series at The State Theatre, the original ‘Pride and Prejudice’ will be presented on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 6:30 p.m., and runs one hour, 58 minutes. The film was released in 1940.

Do great books make bad movies? What are the artistic challenges in moving literary works from page to screen? The State Theatre and Opera Modesto invite you to explore both artistic forms through interactive pre-film discussions moderated by an expert.

Long before 19th-century novelist Jane Austen became a hot property in Hollywood, MGM produced this opulent and entertaining adaptation of one of Austen’s best-known novels. The elegant and slyly satirical comedy of manners gets under way when socially conscious Mrs. Bennet, with the begrudging assistance of her husband, begins seeking out suitable (and suitably wealthy) husbands for her five daughters: Elizabeth, Jane, Lydia, Kitty and Mary. One of the least likely matrimonial prospects is Mr. Darcy (Laurence Olivier), a rich, handsome, but cynical and boorish young man. Naturally, Elizabeth Bennet (Greer Garson), the strongest-willed of the Bennet girls, is immediately fascinated by him, and she sets out to land him — but only on her own terms, and only after she has exacted a bit of genteel revenge for his calculated indifference to her. Though Austen’s novel was set in 1813, the year of its publication, the film version takes place in 1835, reportedly so as to take advantage of the more attractive costume designs of that period.

Doors open at 6 p.m.; discussion at 6:30 p.m.; film at 7 p.m.

For online ticket sales go to www.thestate.org.To purchase your tickets by phone call the Box Office at 209-527-4697 from noon to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. If still available, tickets may also be purchased the night of the event up to the start of the presentation.