Chatsworth stars in a new film of Pride and Prejudice

Chatsworth is delighted to have been used as a location for the new Working Title Film production of Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice, released on 16th September 2005.

Watch Keira Knightley in the exclusive trailer for 'Pride and Prejudice'. Please note that you do need Windows Media Player or QuickTime.

The exterior of Chatsworth and two important rooms were used to depict Pemberley, the great Derbyshire mansion belonging to the film's hero, Mr Darcy. There is now a small display at Chatsworth, including the bust of Mr Darcy made for the film, and a 1st edition of Jane Austen's book from the Chatsworth library.

Download high resolution print ready images about 'Pride and Prejudice'.

A bust of Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) made for a scene shot in the Sculpture Gallery, on view to visitors

Chatsworth has a long association with the book, which was published in 1813. Many readers and scholars believe that Jane Austen's description of Pemberley House is based on the appearance of Chatsworth as it was in the early 19th century. The writer is known to have visited Derbyshire, but there is no evidence to confirm that she saw or visited Chatsworth. It is interesting to compare a painting of Chatsworth as it would have looked in this period, which is on view to visitors at Chatsworth, with the book's description of Pemberley, as first seen by the book's heroine, Elizabeth Bennett.

A painting of Chatsworth from the west, c.1770, by William Marlow

Volume 3, Chapter 1 of Pride and Prejudice
'Elizabeth, as they drove along, watched for the first appearance of Pemberley Woods with some perturbation; and when at length they turned in at the lodge, her spirits were in a high flutter.

The park was very large, and contained great variety of ground. They entered it in one of its lowest points, and drove for some time through a beautiful wood, stretching over a wide extent.

Elizabeth's mind was too full for conversation, but she saw and admired every remarkable spot and point of view.

They gradually ascended for half a mile, and then found themselves at the top of a considerable eminence, where the wood ceased, and the eye was instantly caught by Pemberley House, situated on the opposite side of a valley, into which the road with some abruptness wound. It was a large, handsome, stone building, standing well on rising ground, and backed by a ridge of high woody hills; - and in front, a stream of some natural importance was swelled into greater, but without any artificial appearance. Its banks were neither formal, nor falsely adorned. Elizabeth was delighted. She had never seen a place of which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste. They were all of them warm in their admiration; and at that moment she felt, that to be mistress of Pemberley might be something!'

A behind the scenes look at some of the the cast during filming

The cast of the film, released by Universal Pictures, includes Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfayden, Judi Dench, Penelope Wilton and Donald Sutherland. This is the first time Chatsworth has been used in any film or TV version of the book. Please note that other interior scenes for Pemberley were filmed at Wilton House, near Salisbury in Wiltshire. Other historic houses and sites used as locations for the making of Pride and Prejudice are Haddon Hall, Burghley House, Groombridge Place and Basildon Park.

Watch Keira Knightley in the exclusive trailer for 'Pride and Prejudice'. Please note that you do need Windows Media Player or QuickTime.

Download high resolution print ready images about 'Pride and Prejudice'.