This release celebrates the 250^th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen and the 20^th of the highly acclaimed 2005 movie of Pride and Prejudice. Following Focus Features’ April theatrical re-release is the Decca soundtrack remastered for vinyl only in a deluxe gatefold jacket with 16-page tip-in booklet. With inspired direction by Joe Wright from Deborah Moggach’s superb screenplay, this film is quite the best of the four movie/TV adaptations because it’s the only one that wholly reimagines the novel in a new medium while retaining the sense and sensibility of Austen. Following Wright’s suggestion that he listen to Beethoven’s early sonatas, Dario Marianelli composed a score that flawlessly evokes the Georgian world of the Bennets and the Darcies, with salon and chamber pieces, country dances, one characteristic piece, and several unabashedly romantic cues involving piano and chamber orchestra. “Dawn,” the opening cue, has a melody that once heard is never forgotten; as developed throughout the film it acquires some of the emotionally evocative power of the nocturnes of John Field, an Austen contemporary. Nominated for an Academy award, this is one of the finest film scores of the 21st century from one of the best film composers. Beautiful sound, if a tad close up.