Northanger Abbey (2007) (TV)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Jon Jones

Writers:

Andrew Davies (screenplay) and
Jane Austen (novel)

Release Date:

20 January 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Plot:

When Catherine Morland is given the opportunity to stay with the childless Allen family in Bath, she...

Plot Keywords:

Love | Abbey | Georgian | England | 18th Century

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Geraldine James	...	Jane Austen (voice)
Michael Judd	...	Pastor
Julia Dearden	...	Mrs. Morland
Gerry O'Brien	...	Mr. Morland
Felicity Jones	...	Catherine Morland
David Brittain	...	Gothic Villain
Patrick Ryan	...	Gothic Villain
Sylvestra Le Touzel	...	Mrs. Allen
Desmond Barrit	...	Mr. Allen
David Sheehan	...	Cheeky Man
William Beck	...	John Thorpe
Liam McMahon	...	Sedley
Mal Whyte	...	Rude Man
JJ Feild	...	Henry Tilney
Myles Breen	...	Mr. King

Runtime:

Finland:93 min (excluding commercials) | 120 min (including commercials)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Finland:K-11 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Ardbraccan House, County Meath, Ireland

Company:

Granada Television

Trivia:

The white muslin gown Felicity Jones (Catherine Morland) wears to the opera in Bath is the same costume Claudie Blakley (Charlotte Lucas) wears to the Netherfield Ball in Pride & Prejudice (2005).

Quotes:

Catherine Morland: When shall we go into society, Mrs Allen? I suppose it is too late this evening?
Mrs. Allen: Bless you, my child, we neither of us have a stitch to wear!
Catherine Morland: I did bring my best frock and my pink muslin is not too bad, I think.
Mrs. Allen: No, no, no, no! Would you have us laughed out of Bath?
Mr. Allen: Resign yourself, Catherine! Shops must be visited! Money must be spent! Do you think you could bear it?
Catherine Morland: Very easily, sir!

Movie Connections:

Version of Northanger Abbey (1986) (TV)

Soundtrack:

The First of April

A witty and light adaptation

I've really enjoyed that adaptation. It's witty, charming and the necessary changes brought to the book narrative are clever and do not jar too much with the original. It made me reread the book, which I think should always be the effect of a good adaptation.

The actor playing Henry Tilney was charming (maybe more than the book Henry Tilney in fact) and all the others seemed to fit their roles. Carey Mulligan makes a very effective Isabella Thorpe and plays her part with subtlety while Felicity Jones looks just naive enough for the role of Catherine. I was only bothered by the choice of William Beck of Robin Hood to play John Thorpe. His physical appearance simply did not seem to fit the character. He is a very good actor but hardly attractive enough to make a valid love-interest for romantic Catherine.

The only reason I do not give it "10" is because of the absurd over-sexualisation of Catherine's dreams or the lending to her of "The Monk" by Thorpe.

This is taking incredible liberties with the historical period in order to "make it relevant" to 21st century viewers which TV film-makers must assume to be incapable of viewing anything with interest if it does not contain overtly sexual contents, though the contrary has been proved again and again.