'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies': Jane Austen and the Undead

With the surprising popularity of the book Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, it's no wonder the Jane Austen classic has been turned into a movie about the undead.

In fact, the movie is set for release February 5th, 2016. I was rather surprised when I found out the book was being turned into a movie. While I enjoyed reading about the undead-slaying exploits of the Bennet sisters, I never expected it to become as popular as it has, even with the present interest in zombies. Perhaps the juxtaposition of high-culture with pop-clutter is what so many people find appealing. Who knows?

SPOILER ALERT

The trailer reveals some rather interesting tidbits about the upcoming movie. Naturally, it isn't set in a city both due to the original setting in Pride and Prejudice but also because fighting massive zombie hordes with muskets and swords would be a bit tricky there.

There also appears to be some sort of climactic battle involving a cavalry charge. I'm not sure why anyone would do that. Those poor horses. I have no doubt we'll get a scene somewhere in the movie of zombies nomming down on a horse.

In keeping with some of the more popular aspects of zombie lore, these walking dead are forged from the fires of the Black Death. Well, the bubonic plague, at least. Interestingly, I did some research and the plague did recur occasionally until the 19th century, albeit it had mostly subsided in Europe by the mid-18th century.

"Working from his adaption of the book, director Burr Steers has heroine Elizabeth Bennet (Lily James) musing over how to balance life with the stench of death that is everywhere thanks to a huge outbreak of the risen dead (or "sorry stricken" as they're known here) which struck following a vicious plague. And while she may not be on the lookout for a husband like some of her sisters and contemporaries, things change when she finds a potential match in Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley)."

I'm quite curious to see the movie. As a child, I ended up seeing many versions of Jane Austen on TV. I want to see how this movie interprets Victorian England with zombies.

So what do you think of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies? Will it be good? Did you read the book? Tell us your thoughts!