Handsome enough to tempt me.

Today is Colin Firth's birthday, the stoic, oddly charming actor turns 49 today.
His most memorable role to date has been of course Mr. Darcy. Both in the beloved BBC adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice" and in the Bridget Jones movies which in itself is a version of Jane Austen's beloved masterpiece (talk about typecasting).
With his birthday in mind and having seen all three versions of "Pride..." lately, only one doubt comes to mind.
Who has been the best Mr. Darcy?

Laurence Olivier in the 1940 version?

Matthew Macfayden in the nouvelle vague-ish 2005 take?

...or birthday boy?

(Complete with wet shirt, puppy eyes and all...)

You pick!

Bullseye.

It might not be the most faithful adaptation, but 1940's "Pride and Prejudice" pretty much set the bar for what would be consequent Austen adaptations.
The arrow scene featured in the picture above is practically recreated in "Emma", the older actors playing younger characters thing was done by Emma Thompson in Ang Lee's "Sense and Sensibility" and Joe Wright's masterful "Pride and Prejudice" from 2005 adapts the book by using almost the same turning points featured in this film.
Not so shabby for a minor classic huh?