Fans have been shocked to discover that Pride and Prejudice has an alternative ending and it’s left the internet deeply divided.
The 2005 film is based on the classic novel and has been called one of the most ‘authentic' Jane Austen adaptations.
However, this didn’t stop director Joe Wright from amending the ending for US audiences.
Much like the novel, Pride and Prejudice follows the story of Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley) as she tries to navigate stuffy Georgian society and care for her five sisters.
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While attending a dance, she meets the aloof Mr Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen) and is instantly unimpressed by his arrogant personality.
As the pair continually come into contact, they slowly begin to fall for each other.
The film ends with Darcy asking Lizzy’s father, Mr Bennet (Donald Sutherland) for his blessing and the final scene shows the old man quietly chuckling to himself.
Despite being based on one of the most beloved novels of all time, the US version of the film adds a sickly-sweet scene with Darcy and Elizabeth kissing under a star-filled sky.
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Fans of the original novel were completely unimpressed, with Austen Society member Elsa Solender saying the alternative ending has ‘nothing at all of Jane Austen in it’. Ouch!
So, why change the ending?
Well, the New York Times reports that director Joe Wright was unsure how to end the film and so he chose to cut the kiss scene from the UK release.
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However, he then readded the alternative ending to the US version, believing that they expected a bigger romantic gesture at the film’s end.
Upon the film's release in 2005, he told press: "I guess, in America, you just like a little more sugar in your champagne."
While both versions of the film have existed for nearly two decades, some fans are still discovering the alternative ending and taking to Twitter to vent their frustration.
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One shocked fan wrote: “I was last year, years old when I learned that Pride & Prejudice (2005) had an alternate ending in the US.”
Others have also commented on the cut-scene, with another user angrily writing: “The alternate American ending of 2005 Pride & Prejudice is so so stupid... the movie should end with Donald Sutherland tearfully laughing not that 'call me Mrs Darcy' bulls**t."
Many fans were also similarly unimpressed with the vomit-inducing ending, as they wrote: “Why am I only now discovering the 2005 Pride & Prejudice alternate ending I am bursting into flames !!!!!!!!! MRS DARCY!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
However, some fans have defended the cut scene and claimed they actually prefer the US version.
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One even wrote: “The fact that Netflix doesn’t have this version of the Pride & Prejudice ending is honestly rude.”
The video is up above, so you can decide for yourself.
Topics: TV And Film, Celebrity
Katherine Sidnell