Did you watch week two with Northanger Abbey? After what we experienced last week, my expectations were much lower. However, I was pleasantly surprised.
First of all, I would love to know if that was the intro they had already taped with Gillian Anderson or if they redid it after all the bad reviews last week. I thought she was much more relaxed and natural. Vast improvement. But the red background still needs to go.
I have not read Northanger Abbey so I can’t comment on the accuracy of this adaptation. David and I both suspected that large parts were glossed over as it seemed several storylines were wrapped up at warp speed, especially in the last fifteen minutes. However, I still enjoyed this movie and had no problem following the main points of the storyline. It kept my attention the entire time.
I thoroughly enjoyed Felicity Jones as Catherine Morland. Again, what a vast improvement in casting compared to last week’s debacle with Persuasion. I liked almost all of the casting. William Beck as John Thorpe thoroughly gave me the creeps.
There was much nicer camera work and music.
I was disappointed by the raciness of some parts. It didn’t seem necessary to me in order to make the point.
So what did you think? Please leave a comment and share your thoughts!
I did enjoy this one a lot. I thought the girl who played Catherine was beautiful! I did think the end wrapped up at warp speed as well. I have never read the book but I am going to be checking it out of the library just to see if I did miss something.
I did enjoy this one a lot. I thought the girl who played Catherine was beautiful! I did think the end wrapped up at warp speed as well. I have never read the book but I am going to be checking it out of the library just to see if I did miss something.
I’ve taped it but not watched it yet. I’m glad to hear it is better than last week’s. I was thinking I would probably like it better just from not having read the book and therefore not having expectations or anything to compare it to.
I’m sorry to hear about the racy parts. I’ve heard they really played that up in Sense and Sensibility, that parts of Willoughby’s character that were alluded to in the book are shown in the film. Sadly, modern filmmakers have little grasp of subtlety.
I’ve taped it but not watched it yet. I’m glad to hear it is better than last week’s. I was thinking I would probably like it better just from not having read the book and therefore not having expectations or anything to compare it to.
I’m sorry to hear about the racy parts. I’ve heard they really played that up in Sense and Sensibility, that parts of Willoughby’s character that were alluded to in the book are shown in the film. Sadly, modern filmmakers have little grasp of subtlety.
Oh, it was much, much better than last week’s film. (Thank goodness!)
Oh, it was much, much better than last week’s film. (Thank goodness!)
After last week’s debacle – this is heaven. Loved Felicity Jones reminds me of Kate Beckinsale as Emma in the PBS production from the 90’s – and her smirk, smile, etc. are all characteristics of Jane Austen’s heroines. I thought she was great! I hope they continue to cast her in other historical pieces since she has an understanding of women in that period. And, they did a great casting job with JJ Feild (Henry Tilney), because he’s darling, reminds me of James McAvoy . He is charming, quite witty and loved his facial expressions in the various flirtations with Jane. And Mark Dymond (Captain Frederick “Freddelicious” Tilney) was a great bad-boy, while being handsome and dangerous at the same time. And talk about creepy old men – General Tilney was the best.
All in all, I loved it. As to the opening of ‘Masterpiece’, I don’t remember what it looked like last week, aside from the red and her horrid makeup, staring face and overall disappointing feel of it. However, while they must have made some changes, it still doesn’t come close to establishing the flavor of the program.
After last week’s debacle – this is heaven. Loved Felicity Jones reminds me of Kate Beckinsale as Emma in the PBS production from the 90’s – and her smirk, smile, etc. are all characteristics of Jane Austen’s heroines. I thought she was great! I hope they continue to cast her in other historical pieces since she has an understanding of women in that period. And, they did a great casting job with JJ Feild (Henry Tilney), because he’s darling, reminds me of James McAvoy . He is charming, quite witty and loved his facial expressions in the various flirtations with Jane. And Mark Dymond (Captain Frederick “Freddelicious” Tilney) was a great bad-boy, while being handsome and dangerous at the same time. And talk about creepy old men – General Tilney was the best.
All in all, I loved it. As to the opening of ‘Masterpiece’, I don’t remember what it looked like last week, aside from the red and her horrid makeup, staring face and overall disappointing feel of it. However, while they must have made some changes, it still doesn’t come close to establishing the flavor of the program.
I loved this version, as well. I did read the book. In fact, I’ve only read Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park so far, the 2 least favourite Austen books from what I’ve gathered on the internet. The ending of the book does wrap up at “warp speed” actually. It’s strange, but sort of amusing at the same time. I don’t know if that was a weakness in her writing or if it was intentional because there is some humour in the rapid-fire way she ended the story. It’s a bit like some fairy tales end. I have seen a much racier version of Northanger Abbey so I was pleased that this one was toned down a bit. In this book, Jane Austen pokes fun at some of the racy novels that were popular at the time. Reading those novels set Catherine Morland’s imagination aflame and this is the basis of the storyline.
I loved this version, as well. I did read the book. In fact, I’ve only read Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park so far, the 2 least favourite Austen books from what I’ve gathered on the internet. The ending of the book does wrap up at “warp speed” actually. It’s strange, but sort of amusing at the same time. I don’t know if that was a weakness in her writing or if it was intentional because there is some humour in the rapid-fire way she ended the story. It’s a bit like some fairy tales end. I have seen a much racier version of Northanger Abbey so I was pleased that this one was toned down a bit. In this book, Jane Austen pokes fun at some of the racy novels that were popular at the time. Reading those novels set Catherine Morland’s imagination aflame and this is the basis of the storyline.
I liked this film better too. It did not take me half the film to figure out who was who. I agree that the raciness was not necessary-especially the one scene where Catherine was against the tree trunk. And in one scene I thought Isabelle was going to pop out of her dress.
Other than that, I liked it.
I liked this film better too. It did not take me half the film to figure out who was who. I agree that the raciness was not necessary-especially the one scene where Catherine was against the tree trunk. And in one scene I thought Isabelle was going to pop out of her dress.
Other than that, I liked it.
I liked this one better than last weeks also. I haven’t read the book in awhile, which is probably why it was so much better in my opinion. I, too, thought the “racy” scenes were inappropriate but that is my only complaint.
As for the actor playing John Thorpe, I guess they got a creepy looking person for a creepy character!
I have enjoyed these posts, thanks for doing them!
I liked this one better than last weeks also. I haven’t read the book in awhile, which is probably why it was so much better in my opinion. I, too, thought the “racy” scenes were inappropriate but that is my only complaint.
As for the actor playing John Thorpe, I guess they got a creepy looking person for a creepy character!
I have enjoyed these posts, thanks for doing them!
I thought it was good. I’ve read Northanger Abbey, although it was a long time ago, so I didn’t remember much. I was very disappointed in the racy parts as well! I’ve decided I’m going to read Mansfield Park before next week.
I thought it was good. I’ve read Northanger Abbey, although it was a long time ago, so I didn’t remember much. I was very disappointed in the racy parts as well! I’ve decided I’m going to read Mansfield Park before next week.
Hello. You may remember that these have already screened in the UK.Just read your post about Persuassion (on line time a luxury at the moment!). In my opinion, it was the worst one of the lot. We didn not have the Gillian ANderson intros, so can’t comment on those. I did video all of the adaptations and would prob watch them again- apart from persuassion. The BBC screened a new Sense and Sensibility recently, which I really enjoyed. It is hard to get past adaptations out of your head when watching new ones though.
Hello. You may remember that these have already screened in the UK.Just read your post about Persuassion (on line time a luxury at the moment!). In my opinion, it was the worst one of the lot. We didn not have the Gillian ANderson intros, so can’t comment on those. I did video all of the adaptations and would prob watch them again- apart from persuassion. The BBC screened a new Sense and Sensibility recently, which I really enjoyed. It is hard to get past adaptations out of your head when watching new ones though.
….I must add- the opening scene of the new s and s aludes to Willoughby seducing a young lady.Nothing explicit is shown but many people may not like it. However, it paints the picture of what his character was like.
….I must add- the opening scene of the new s and s aludes to Willoughby seducing a young lady.Nothing explicit is shown but many people may not like it. However, it paints the picture of what his character was like.