Now as you all know I am a huge Jane Austen fan and normally I love BBC adaptations but for every rule there is an exception and this is it but as there is no Udolpho review today then I thought I would at least keep on subject with todays posting,
It has been a long time since I last viewed this version of Northanger Abbey and I now recall why. The acting is merely acceptable but the constant use of dream sequences is both annoying and distracting. While they do reflect the dangers that were perceived to exist in impressionable young ladies reading gothic literature they are done in this in such a way as to almost drive the viewer to hitting the off switch. While of course as most BBC dramas they stick faithfully to the text this adaptation falls well below the normal standard one expects from the BBC.
Originally transmitted on 15/02/87 eight years before the great success of the Pride & Prejudice adaptation one must be thankful that they obviously learned from it in terms of casting and characterisation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeJLJL2Z2H8
While Northanger Abbey is one of the less adapted works of Austen I am confident that there are better ones out there, as well as the visual failings the soundtrack plays continuously what I assume is supposed to be music to build tension sadly it merely annoys and leads to temptation to mute the TV. I sadly have to say give this one a miss.
Rating 2 out of 5 stars and that is simply for Austen’s words.
Paula Acton 
Northanger Abbey is my favorite of Jane Austen and it surprises me that there hasn’t been a good film version. Let me know if you find one!
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I didn’t even know they’d made a film version of Northanger Abbey. To be truthful – it wasn’t my favorite book either. Perhaps I’ll watch this film just to see why it’s awful 🙂
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I remember thinking that they had miscast the hero. What would your favorite Austen movie or series be, Paula?
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really boring but it has to be the BBC version of Pride & prejudice with Colin Firth as Mr Darcy (I think that the real life relationship between him an the actress playing Elizabeth does add an extra spark in their looks towards each other)
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I really enjoyed that production.
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Thanks for the warning. Good to know!
You ready for your big day tomorrow?
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just about had to take the monster to the hospital for an appointment today and will admit that that was when it really hit home am now more nervous than excited
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Don’t worry . . . I know it will be a success. I’ll be thinking of you and sending positive energy.
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Think I’ll pass on this one then.
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I have a Granada (2006) production of Northanger Abbey, which is pretty good 🙂
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