Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Brenda Blethyn: Mrs. Bennet

Photos 

Quotes 

• [ordered to order Lizzie to accept Mr. Collins's proposal] 

  Mr. Bennet : Your mother insists on you marrying Mr. Collins...

  Mrs. Bennet : Yes! Or I'll never see her again!

  Mr. Bennet : Well, Lizzy, from this day henceforth it seems you must be a stranger to one of your parents...

  Mrs. Bennet : Who will maintain you when your father's gone?

  Mr. Bennet : Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins... and I will never see you again if you do.

  Mrs. Bennet : Mr. Bennet!

  Elizabeth Bennet : Thank you, Papa.

• Mr. Bennet : Well, if Jane does die, it will be a comfort to know she was in pursuit of Mr. Bingley.

  Mrs. Bennet : People do not *die* of colds.

  Elizabeth Bennet : Though she may well perish with the shame of having such a mother.

• Mrs. Bennet : But she doesn't like him. I thought she didn't like him.

  Jane Bennet : So did I, so did we all. We must have been wrong.

  Mrs. Bennet : Wouldn't be the first time, will it?

  Jane Bennet : No, nor the last I dare say.

• Mrs. Bennet : Now she'll have to stay the night. Exactly as I predicted.

  Mr. Bennet : Good grief, woman. Your skills in the art of matchmaking are positively occult.

  [Mrs. Bennet giggles] 

  Elizabeth Bennet : Though I don't think, Mama, you can reasonably take credit for making it rain.

• Elizabeth Bennet : [On Marriage]  Is that really all you think about?

  Mrs. Bennet : When you have five daughters, Lizzie, tell me what else will occupy your thoughts, and then perhaps you will understand.

• Mrs. Bennet : Oh, my goodness. Everybody behave naturally.

• Mr. Collins : Mrs. Bennet I was hoping, if it would not trouble you, that I might solicit a private audience with Miss Elizabeth in the course of the morning.

  Mrs. Bennet : Oh, yes. Certainly. Lizzy will be very happy indeed. Everyone, out. Mr. Collins would like a private audience with your sister.

  Elizabeth Bennet : No, no, wait, please. I beg you. Mr. Collins can have nothing to say to me that anybody need not hear.

  Mrs. Bennet : No nonsense, Lizzy. I desire you will stay where you are. Everyone else to the drawing room. Mr. Bennet?

  Mr. Bennet : But...

  Mrs. Bennet : Now.

• Mrs. Bennet : Oh, Mr. Bennet, the way you carry on, anyone would think our girls look forward to a grand inheritance. When you die, Mr. Bennet, which may in fact be very soon, our girls will be left without a roof to their head nor a penny to their name.

  Elizabeth Bennet : Oh, Mama, please. It's ten in the morning.

• Mrs. Bennet : ...and then he danced the third with Miss Lucas.

  Mr. Bennet : We were all there, dear.

  Mrs. Bennet : Oh, poor thing. It is a shame she's not more handsome. There's a spinster in the making and no mistake. The fourth with a Miss King, of little standing... and the fifth again with Jane.

  Mr. Bennet : If he'd had any compassion for me, he would have sprained his ankle in the first set.

• Mr. Bennet : There's no need. I already have.

  Mrs. Bennet : Have? Oh Mr Bennet! How can you tease me so? Have you no compassion for my poor nerves?

  Mr. Bennet : Oh you mistake me, my dear. I have the highest respect for them. They've been my constant companions these twenty years.

• Kitty Bennet : Papa!

  Mrs. Bennet : Is he amiable?

  Mary Bennet : Who?

  Kitty Bennet : Is he handsome?

  Mary Bennet : Who?

  Lydia Bennet : He's sure to be handsome.

  Elizabeth Bennet : For five thousand a year, it would not matter if he's got warts and a leer.

  Mary Bennet : Who's got warts?

  Mr. Bennet : I'll give my heartiest consent to his marrying whichever of the girls he chooses.

  Lydia Bennet : So will he come to the ball tomorrow, Papa?

  Mr. Bennet : I believe so.

• Mrs. Bennet : Do you not want to know who has taken it?

  Mr. Bennet : As you wish to tell me, my dear, I doubt I have any choice in the matter.

• Mrs. Bennet : Mr. Bennet, you must introduce him to the girls! Immediately!

• Mrs. Bennet : Jane is a splendid dancer, is she not?

• Mr. Bingley : Your friend, Miss Lucas, is a most amusing young woman.

  Elizabeth Bennet : Oh, yes, I adore her!

  Mrs. Bennet : It is a pity she's not more handsome.

  Elizabeth Bennet : Mama!

  Mrs. Bennet : Oh, but Lizzie would never admit that she's plain. Of course, it's my Jane that's considered the beauty of the county.

  Jane Bennet : No, Mama, please...

  Mrs. Bennet : When she was only fifteen there was a gentleman that was so much in love with her that I was sure he would make her an offer. However, he did write her some very pretty verses.

• [first lines] 

  Elizabeth Bennet : [to frolicking sisters]  Lydia! Kitty!

  Mrs. Bennet : My dear Mr Bennet, have you heard? Netherfield Park is let at last. Do you not want to know who has taken it?

  Mr. Bennet : As you wish to tell me, my dear, I doubt I have any choice in the matter.

• Mr. Bennet : How can that possibly affect them?

  Mrs. Bennet : Oh Mr. Bennet, how can you be so tiresome? You know he must marry one of them!

  Mr. Bennet : Ah, so that is his desire in settling here.

  Mrs. Bennet : You must go and visit him at once!

  Mr. Bennet : Good heavens. People.

  Mrs. Bennet : For we may not visit if you do not, as you well know, Mr. Bennet!

• [from trailer] 

  Mrs. Bennet : Is he amiable?

• Mrs. Bennet : You must visit him at once.

• Sir William Lucas : Mr. Bingley, my eldest daughter you know. Mrs. Bennet, Miss Jane Bennet, Elizabeth, and Miss Mary Bennet.

  Mrs. Bennet : It is a pleasure. I have two others, but they are already dancing.

  Mr. Bingley : I'm delighted to make your acquaintance.

  Sir William Lucas : And may I introduce Mr. Darcy of Pemberley and Derbyshire.

• Lydia Bennet : Oh, Mama! You will never, ever, ever believe what we're about to tell you!

  Mrs. Bennet : Well tell me quickly, my love!

  Lydia Bennet , Kitty Bennet : [in unison]  The regiment are coming!

  Mrs. Bennet : Officers!

• Mrs. Bennet : Netherfield Park is let at last. Have you heard who has taken it?

  Mr. Bennet : I have.

• Mrs. Bennet : Find some useful employment.