Masterpiece Theatre: Northanger Abbey

This production revived my appreciation for Northanger Abbey (admittedly my least favorite Austen novel before). JJ Feild was an amazing Henry Tilney. So much so that my subconscious leaked into a dream one night; whereupon, widowed Elizabeth Darcy finds a love with Henry Tilney (after that ninny Catherine Morland Tilney went mad in an attic - Brontë/Jane Eyre style). Excellent dream, what a treat! Henry Tilney (the less heralded Austen hero compared to Darcy) is the male match to our heroine Elizabeth Bennet and you'll see it alive here. I'm really glad Northanger was reinvigorated for me in this production. It's also subtly funny: the glaring Morland kids over a contrite Henry's shoulder, the ridiculously crass John Thorpe, the scheming hyperbole of Isabella Thorpe, ditsy muslin obsessed Ms. Allen, the pompous lothario Captain Tilney, rain soaked and disobliging sheep, gothic imaginings are even parody characters with kick ass sprouting wallpaper segues of a story within the story... I only lament that the PBS version was cut down and edited a little counter-intuitively in bits. Some of my favorite lines in Northanger have disappeared from the dialogue and the lovely narrator (sounded like the mum from Rozema's Mansfield?) could have delivered those Austen-style as in the beginning/ending of Northanger, or thrown us a tied up loose end novel bone? For example: Catherine has 3,000 in her dowry and 150 pounds per year, thrice Elizabeth Bennet's at a time when 7,000 would land you a Baron - that's nothing to cough at (yeah, I'm looking at you, cruel General Tilney) and by Henry's own admission he gets his wish fulfillment to a tolerable degree of both love and a modest fortune (insert romantic, practical flutter instead of worry here)! As with most things Austen, finance of young ladies is an unspoken character with its own story arc. I wish they had taken slightly more time with it - enhance the smart romance? That rhymed, sincere apologies. (@.@) Once in a while, the Tilney/Morland chemistry is confusing, or a little awkward at times, but hey, that's Henry Tilney 'the teasing enigma.' You'll be gratified to know some very swoony bits are in here from pouty, longing looks across opera boxes barely masking jealousy to stolen suggestive leers (in dreams, near fireplaces and in ballrooms) and very steamy cheek swipes after a long horseback ride in the rain before a kiss fest under trees. <Le sigh> At any rate, if you're an Austen fan this version should be in your arsenal along with Paltrow's Emma, Ehle's Pride and Prejudice, Root's Persuasion, O'Connor's Mansfield Park and the illustrious Thompson's Sense and Sensibility (not necessarily in that order). JJ Feild will win you through Henry Tilney after one head tilt and a grinning smirk. He's an acting gem, in big britches period epic especially; even, if he jokes in interviews about "slipping on cow pats and frilly sleeves that get in your lunch." To demonstrate, Feild almost single-handedly saved the romcom lampoon 'Austenland' from narcissist actors who lost their audience's perspective in favor of an untethered inside joke/circus bubble of mockery unchecked by a context lazy, immature directorial and editing effort (that I've watched 4 times - hee). Serious points to Feild for rescuing parts of that one, he has the best subdued and credibly funny bits in it even if it could have been utterly phenomenal with more cast and directorial assistance. Feild, who can shine in anything with range and emotive gifts even as an anti-hero/sociopath was kinda squandered by that Austenland/Dynamite crowd, though he totally gets it, delivered wit masterfully, and they chose him expressly "to take the piss" because of Northanger. And no, in case you were wondering, I'm not a "suffocating death by doily" type gal, but I do read and have an advanced Com Arts degree (with student loans to boot, giggle, dammit). Felicity Jones is a terribly pretty and innocent Catherine Morland - you'll cheer for her through your wincing. Don't kid yourself, it's a skill to blush on demand. Mulligan nailed Isabella in dimples, unseemly cleavage bodices, waffling inconstancy and deeply studied/nuanced motivation - bravo. The costumes, locations and set design deserve their own review. Even the rain gets a supporting role nomination. Blu-ray quality is as good as is available, so I reccommend it because any less would be mostly janky, reticulated pixel terrible on an HD worthy screen. Hello, it's an epic romance worth the extra 3 lousy Federal Reserve Notes of pretty full screen since this charmer isn't available for streaming right now. I'm hoping beyond hope that an extended version becomes available (gracious thanks, but boo PBS!). As an American woman, I'm almost forgiving of Rothschild central banking cartels, cookies called biscuits and re-swelling with diplomatic gratitude for my family peeps having stormed the shores of Normandy with ferocious, Limey allied luv. Who knew? This is definitely one to see, despite my nitpicks, the best NA going and I adore it. I just want to be clear about that. Thank me later and meow ;).

I think the source novel the least captivating of Jane Austen's works, but the film version is charming. Costumes, sets and overall design are lush and romantic, and the lead couple are charming.

Finally! We have a great adaptation for this story. I read this story years ago and I didn't understand it the first time around. Seriously, I just didn't get it. Then I read somewhere that she is mocking (in a fan way) the novels of the time. That made the story make a little more sense. Then, last year, when my husband went to the UK on business he brought me back a book that Jane Austen had read and liked well enough called Emmeline by Charlotte Smith. After I read Emmeline, I really understood Northanger Abbey. If someone is not fainting every page then it is not a good chapter. So having the overly dramatic Emmeline under my belt I reread Northanger Abbey, understood it, and loved it. I still wasn't sure if they would be able to translate it well to the screen. I was a little nervous. But after watching this, I think I can say that they used their 90 minutes very well. They only changed a few things from the book so it is very faithful to the original narrative and some of the changes actually help you understand the storyline better such as the introduction of Elinor's 'friend' earlier on in the tale. The only thing that I think they could have shown differently is the trip to Woodston and the last page of the book which tells what Catherine's actual claim to inheritance is. They also could have given a little more information about the deceit of John Thorpe as it intertwined with the story of General Tilney. I loved the actors who play Henry Tilney and Catherine Morland. They give their characters the perfect mix. I am definitely looking forward to seeing this movie again.

Firstly, we now know how to pronounce the title. Jane Austen's sister, Cassandra wrote it in her notebook as 'North Hanger Abbey' . A Hanger is a small wood that 'hangs' on a hillside. So no more 'North Anger' or 'Northanjer' please - though it should be said that the cast can't settle on a single pronunciation either. I wont recap the plot - Austen saw it as 'sparkling' in the manner of Pride and Prejudice, rather than the more serious novels, and Andrew Davies has done a great job with the adaptation, including some fairly lurid imaginings of the heroine Catherine's fantasies. For me, the standout performance was J.J. Feild as Henry Tilney. For many Henry is Austen's most delightful hero - he is such a tease! and J.J. Feild has captured him perfectly. However all the others in the cast were great, particularly Corey Mulligan as the disingenuous Isabella, and Sylvestra Le Touzel as Mrs Allen. A great adaptation of a less well known Austen.

Felice trasposizione del romanzo di Jane Austen, che è stato il meno rappresentato, infatti questa è l'unica versione in circolazione. Notevoli e molto curate le ambientazioni, la scenografia, i costumi e le musiche. Ottimi gli attori, Felicity Jones, J.J. Feild, Carey Mulligan e tutti gli altri. Assolutamente da non perdere! In lingua originale con sottotitoli in inglese. Nessuna lingua italiana.

DVD arrived in a timely manner and in good condition. It was great to be able to add to my Jane Austen collection.

¡La adoro! Es una de las obras de Jane Austen que más me gusta. La película vino en perfecto estado y se ve muy bien.

Llegó en tiempo, el único inconveniente es que la caja llegó dañada.

以前に他の作品とペアになっている「NORTHANGER ＡＢＢＥＹ」を他の俳優さんが演じているのを見ましたが、それも日本語字幕ではなかったため十分に理解することはできませんでした。それでなくても主人公の空想癖に最初はおどろきました。今回はＪＪフィールズの作品との事で購入しましたが、やはり細かいところまではわからないので、原作本を読んでもう１度トライするつもりです。