Joe Wright reveals how the iconic hand flex scene in Pride and Prejudice wasn't scripted

Joe Wright's Pride and Prejudice has been widely considered as one of the best films adapted from books and one of the best reimaginations of Jane Austen's classic novel. Starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, the film explored the complexities of love, class, and feminism in the 19th century, with a heroine who went on to become one of the strongest female characters in the history of literature.

Needless to say, Wright incorporated the same standards into his film as well, which gave life to the love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Although it has been two decades since its release and other adaptations have made their way to screens as well, Knightley's depiction of Lizzie and MacFayden's depiction of Darcy remain superior in all senses.

One of the most popular scenes in the movie is the iconic "hand flex" scene where Darcy helps Lizzie get on a carriage and after the subtle moment when their skin touches briefly, he lets her go and walks away and flexes his hand- like he's overwhelmed, shaken, or deeply affected by the brief physical contact. It was a way to portray Darcy's repressed feelings for Elizabeth, which later came to the surface, making it the climax of the film.

Decades later, Wright is now making a grand revelation that the scene that went on to become one of the most iconic scenes in cinematic history was not actually in the script! Speaking to PEOPLE, the director revealed,

"It wasn't in the script, but that was an important moment in the book. This sudden realization, as they were parting, of what they meant to each other or the kind of disturbance they caused in each other."

Sharing details about the day the scene was shot, he added,

"It had been a gloomy day when we shot it. I felt like I hadn't conveyed what I wanted to, and it's odd and gratifying to find that we told our story, and people have responded. Because on the day, I thought, 'Oh no, we didn't get it. It was rubbish. It didn't work.' Now, people are still posting it. It's odd and really nice."

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What the hand flexing scene actually means

Throughout the novel, Mr. Darcy is shown as this awkward, guarded individual who dislikes everything and everyone around him, and yes, Lizzie as well, but something happens when he touches her. Her eyes linger on his move as she looks down. The camera catches Darcy's hand as he turns to go. His fingers spread out like a spontaneous, uncontrollable twitch. He could hardly stand the intensity of her touch.

The scene is a physical embodiment of where his affection for Lizzie begins, and he starts facing it hard and cold. Despite his broodiness, we can see that Darcy is impacted by Lizzie, which makes it a moving moment.

The hand flex is arguably the novel's signature scene in Wright's interpretation of the novel in the two decades since the movie's release. Numerous TikTok dissertations, critical essays, and social media posts have addressed it; countless social media connoisseurs, writers, and poets have touched upon that scene.

Breaking down the scene, the director further told the outlet,

"Our bodies are so much smarter than our minds often. Although their conscious minds are fighting against each other, their bodies are two magnets drawn to each other. As they touch, even that little hand lifting helping her, which is pure etiquette of the period, somehow creates this kind of electronic shock wave through them both, and he has to shake it away."

In another interview with NPR, MacFayden talked about how he made the gesture during one of the rehearsals, and Wright asked him to do it for the final take.

The actor says,

"It’s credit to Joe, because he doesn’t miss a trick and he’s so alive to things, and he saw me do it in a rehearsal take and I remember him just going, “Get that!” So they just did an extra shot on the hand."

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Pride and Prejudice and how it's legacy lives on

Very few modern movies have been able to capture the quiet magic of a classic novel with significant tropes and the exploration of social issues, in the way Joe Wright has. Wright’s approach made it feel more raw and real. The characters aren’t just in pretty dresses and perfect settings, but in a world that’s a little rough around the edges. The film feels like you could almost reach out and touch it, whether it's the dirt on their shoes or the chilly winds of the English countryside.

What sticks with people is the chemistry between Elizabeth and Darcy, especially those quiet moments of tension that say so much without words. In addition, Knightley and MacFayden were stunning as their characters and perhaps the most iconic holders of the said roles.

Talking about the film and how it has continued to stay with people, the actor told Letterboxd,

"Pride & Prejudice has had legs, hasn't it? I don't know how things are going to continue and whether they'll last or whether people will keep watching them, but people are still watching it."

Meanwhile in another interview with CBS, he talks about his role as he shares,

"I think probably the most flattering thing that happens to me now is people say, 'Were you Mr. Darcy?' and it's a good 20 years later. So I think, 'I can't be aging that badly.' "

Nearly 20 years later, this adaptation still holds a special place in fans' hearts. It introduced a new generation to Austen's world while making it feel real and relatable. The film is not just a retelling; it’s a film that took something old and made it new, giving it a legacy that still lives on.

Pride and Prejudice is available on Netflix.