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Pride and Prejudice (1940) movie poster

Timeline

Pride and Prejudice (1940) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1940 · 118 min · English
Directed by
Robert Z. Leonard
Starring
Edmund Gwenn, Karen Morley, Maureen O'Sullivan, Laurence Olivier, Heather Angel, Edna May Oliver

In the English countryside, a mother’s determination to secure advantageous marriages for her daughters clashes with the young women’s own independent views. As potential suitors emerge, misunderstandings and prejudices abound, particularly between the amiable Mr. Bingley and the reserved Mr. Darcy. Through societal expectations and personal biases, they must confront their feelings and overcome obstacles to find lasting love and happiness.

Drama Romance Cast, crew & box office
On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 The book behind the movie
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Pride and Prejudice (1940)

Where can you watch Pride and Prejudice? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Philo, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Pride and Prejudice Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Pride and Prejudice (1940) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Lalita's Heritage

    Lalita Bakshi's story begins in the culturally rich city of Amritsar, where she resides with her family. This environment shapes her identity, blending traditional Indian values with her personal aspirations.

    Where
    Amritsar

  2. Invitation to the Wedding

    Lalita receives a wedding invitation from her friend, marking the start of a significant journey. This event will bring forth a melting pot of cultures and personalities that profoundly influence her life.

  3. Meeting Darcy

    At the wedding festivities, Lalita encounters Will Darcy, an intriguing American whose charm is overshadowed by his condescending demeanor. Their initial interactions are marked by a clash of wills, setting a tone of tension between the two.

  4. Kohli Saab's Arrival

    The arrival of Kohli Saab, a jovial family friend from Los Angeles, adds complexity to the family dynamics. He is in search of a traditional Indian bride, stirring conversations about cultural customs and expectations among Lalita's family.

    Where
    Los Angeles

  5. Trip to Goa

    Lalita and Darcy's journey takes them to Goa, where their clashing perspectives on love and India's socio-economic future lead to a battleground of ideals. This trip deepens their understanding of each other's backgrounds and beliefs.

    Where
    Goa

  6. Wickham's Influence

    Johnny Wickham, a rogue acquaintance of Darcy, begins to woo Lalita, further intensifying her resentment towards Darcy. Wickham's presence complicates Lalita's emotions and challenges her views on relationships.

  7. Garba Ceremony Conflicts

    Lalita faces a difficult situation at the Garba ceremony when Wickham attends, despite Mrs. Bakshi's disapproval. This event highlights Lalita's struggle for autonomy amid her duties to her family.

  8. Balraj's Departure

    Balraj's bittersweet departure to London serves as a poignant reminder of familial bonds and potential distances that may grow. His promise to keep in touch with Jaya reflects the fragility of connections within families.

    Where
    London

  9. News from Kiran

    The Bakshi family receives the shocking news from Kiran that Balraj is courting potential brides in New York. The reaction from Mrs. Bakshi, Jaya, and Lalita underscores the emotional weight of losing a beloved family member to a distant life.

    Where
    New York

  10. Chance Encounter at Heathrow

    A twist of fate unfolds when the Bakshis meet Darcy at Heathrow Airport, where he too is attending a wedding. His generous act of offering his first-class seat to Mrs. Bakshi sets the stage for a transformational flight with Lalita.

    Where
    Heathrow Airport

  11. Meeting Darcy's Past

    During the flight, Darcy's mother Catherine introduces Lalita to his former love, Anne. This encounter leads to revelations that complicate Lalita's understanding of Darcy and their intertwined fates.

  12. Confrontation with Darcy

    Faced with significant revelations about Balraj and Darcy's past interactions, Lalita's fury comes to a head. She confronts Darcy over his role in Jaya's unhappiness, marking a pivotal moment in their relationship.

  13. Rescue Mission

    Reflecting on Darcy's words, Lalita seeks his help to rescue Lakhi from Wickham's clutches. Their collaboration proves to be successful, showcasing a shift in Lalita's perspective towards Darcy.

  14. The Proposal

    After facing trials together, Lalita accepts Darcy's heartfelt proposal, symbolizing her growth and newfound understanding. This acceptance signifies the merging of their paths and the promise of love and happiness.

  15. The Double Wedding

    The film culminates in a joyous double wedding, where Lalita marries Darcy and Jaya unites with Balraj. This celebration embodies the blend of love, family, and cultural identity, marking the end of their remarkable journeys.

Last updated: November 17, 2024 at 21:47

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Timeline questions answered

Pride and Prejudice Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Pride and Prejudice (1940): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Lalita clash with Darcy at the wedding?

Lalita encounters Darcy at the wedding festivities and immediately takes issue with his condescending demeanor. Despite his charming presence, his attitude comes across as dismissive and superior, creating tension between them from their first meeting.

Foreshadowing: This initial antagonism foreshadows their rocky relationship, as Darcy's pride and Lalita's prejudice repeatedly clash throughout the story.

  • Lalita
  • Darcy
  • wedding
  • conflict
  • first meeting
Q2

Who is Johnny Wickham and why does Lalita trust him?

Johnny Wickham is a rogue acquaintance of Darcy from London who begins wooing Lalita. His smooth talking and interest in her intensify her contempt for Darcy, as she is drawn to Wickham's attention despite knowing little about his true character.

Foreshadowing: Wickham's presence at the Garba ceremony despite Mrs. Bakshi's disapproval sets up a later confrontation about his true nature.

  • Johnny Wickham
  • Lalita
  • romance
  • trust
Q3

Why does Balraj go to New York and what happens with Jaya?

Balraj travels to New York to court potential brides, which devastates Jaya and the Bakshi family. The news from Kiran that Balraj is seeking a bride elsewhere creates heartbreak, especially for Jaya who had hoped to unite with him.

Foreshadowing: This painful separation sets up the emotional arc leading to their eventual reunion at the double wedding.

  • Balraj
  • Jaya
  • New York
  • wedding
  • separation
Q4

Why does Lalita reject Darcy's proposal?

After learning that Darcy persuaded his brother Balraj against marrying an Indian girl, Lalita becomes furious believing Darcy is responsible for Jaya's unhappiness. When Darcy proposes, she rejects him vehemently, blaming him for causing Jaya's heartbreak.

Foreshadowing: This confrontation occurs after revelations about the estrangement between the brothers, which drives the story's central misunderstanding.

  • Lalita
  • Darcy
  • proposal
  • rejection
  • blame
Q5

What happened between Darcy and Balraj that caused the estrangement?

Georgie, Darcy's younger sister, reveals the painful truth: Darcy persuaded his brother Balraj against marrying an Indian girl with a reputation for greed. This decision caused a rift between the brothers and indirectly impacted Jaya's relationship with Balraj.

Foreshadowing: This revelation explains why Lalita's family views Darcy with suspicion and why Jaya's happiness seemed compromised.

  • Darcy
  • Balraj
  • Georgie
  • estrangement
  • marriage
Q6

How does Darcy help rescue Lakhi from Wickham?

After reflecting on Darcy's words about working to mend Balraj and Jaya's relationship, Lalita asks for his help to rescue Lakhi from Wickham's clutches. Together, they successfully collaborate to free Lakhi, demonstrating Darcy's genuine intentions and changing Lalita's perception of him.

Foreshadowing: This rescue mission marks the turning point where Lalita begins to trust Darcy and see his true character.

  • Lakhi
  • Wickham
  • rescue
  • collaboration
  • trust
Q7

What is Wickham's true character and past actions?

Darcy reveals that Wickham had impregnated Georgie at a young age and schemed to marry her for their family's riches. When his plans collapsed, Wickham fled, exposing his manipulative and dishonest nature.

Foreshadowing: This revelation explains Mrs. Bakshi's initial disapproval of Wickham at the Garba ceremony.

  • Wickham
  • Georgie
  • deception
  • scandal
  • secret
Q8

Why is the Heathrow Airport encounter significant?

The Bakshis unexpectedly meet Darcy at Heathrow Airport, where he is also attending Kohli Saab and Chandra's wedding. Darcy generously gives his first-class seat to Mrs. Bakshi, allowing him to sit beside Lalita in economy for the flight. This act of kindness begins to shift their relationship.

Foreshadowing: This pivotal moment creates the opportunity for deeper conversation and eventual understanding between Darcy and Lalita.

  • Heathrow
  • airport
  • flight
  • kindness
  • meeting
Q9

How does Darcy's feelings for Lalita develop?

Darcy's initial attraction to Lalita grows throughout their interactions despite their clashes. His pursuit continues even after she rejects his proposal, demonstrating his genuine feelings. Ultimately, Lalita comes to understand his true character and accepts his proposal.

Foreshadowing: The double wedding at the end confirms their union, showing how their relationship evolved from conflict to love.

  • Darcy
  • Lalita
  • love
  • proposal
  • acceptance
Q10

Why does the film end with a double wedding?

The film culminates in a joyful double wedding where Jaya unites with Balraj and Lalita marries Darcy. This celebration represents the resolution of multiple relationship arcs, with both couples overcoming misunderstandings and obstacles to find happiness together.

Foreshadowing: The double wedding fulfills the hopeful tone established throughout the narrative, bringing closure to all central relationships.

  • wedding
  • double wedding
  • Jaya
  • Balraj
  • Lalita
  • resolution

Movie threads

More Movies Like Pride and Prejudice, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Pride and Prejudice tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Manners and Misunderstandings in Period Romance like Pride and Prejudice

Romantic tales where social conventions and false impressions create heartfelt conflict. Find more movies like Pride and Prejudice, featuring romantic stories where love is tested by societal rules and personal misunderstandings. These films often share a steady pace, complex character dynamics, and a hopeful journey toward a satisfying, happy ending.

  • romantic
  • dramatic
  • nostalgic
  • hopeful
  • sentimental
  • witty
  • Tone: hopeful, romantic, dramatic
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically unfold within a specific historical or cultural setting with rigid social rules. The central romance is hindered by initial misunderstandings, clashing personalities, or external societal pressures, requiring characters to overcome their biases and grow personally before finding true love.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared focus on the intricate dance of romance within a formal society. They offer a similar mix of dramatic tension, witty dialogue, and a heartfelt, hopeful resolution, appealing to viewers who enjoy character-driven love stories with emotional depth.

Old Fashioned movie poster

Old Fashioned

2015
Persuasion movie poster

Persuasion

2007
Pride and Prejudice movie poster

Pride and Prejudice

1940
The Romance of Rosy Ridge movie poster

The Romance of Rosy Ridge

1947
Holiday movie poster

Holiday

1930
Love at First Sight movie poster

Love at First Sight

2023
Moonstruck movie poster

Moonstruck

2010
Possessed movie poster

Possessed

1931

Hopeful Journeys of Personal Growth like in Pride and Prejudice

Character-driven stories where overcoming flaws leads to profound happiness. If you liked the character arc in Pride and Prejudice, explore other movies about personal growth and overcoming prejudice. These films follow protagonists on a hopeful journey of self-discovery, featuring steady pacing, complex emotions, and a ultimately happy resolution to their internal struggles.

  • hopeful
  • sentimental
  • dramatic
  • conflicted
  • introspective
  • rewarding
  • Tone: hopeful, sentimental, dramatic
  • Pacing: steady, contemplative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The defining pattern is a central character arc where the protagonist's primary flaw (like pride, prejudice, or stubbornness) is the main source of conflict. The plot tests this flaw, forcing introspection and change, culminating in a resolution that feels earned and celebrates the character's emotional maturity.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared emphasis on a hopeful and positive character transformation. They provide a satisfying emotional experience where viewers witness a journey from misunderstanding to clarity, from conflict to connection, all while maintaining a steady, engaging pace.

Where Hope Grows movie poster

Where Hope Grows

2015
My Own Love Song movie poster

My Own Love Song

2010
Tumse Na Ho Payega movie poster

Tumse Na Ho Payega

2023
Happiness for Beginners movie poster

Happiness for Beginners

2023
How Old Are You movie poster

How Old Are You

2014
Second Act movie poster

Second Act

2023
Finding Joy movie poster

Finding Joy

2013
Dramatic School movie poster

Dramatic School

1938

Every angle

Pride and Prejudice (1940) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Pride and Prejudice in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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