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Post by Sarha on Jan 20, 2008 22:32:10 GMT -5
Was Eleanor Tilney played by the same actress that played Charlotte Lucas in the 1995 Pride & Prejudice? I didn't know her name so I didn't check the credits.
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Post by cosmoblue on Jan 21, 2008 0:04:44 GMT -5
No in the 1995 P&P Charlotte was Lucy Scott in Northanger Eleanor was Catherine Walker.
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Post by cosmoblue on Jan 21, 2008 0:08:55 GMT -5
I was really nervous about this film because Northanger is my favourite Jane Austen novel and I was so disappointed in Persuasion, but I really liked it. I will have to watch it again off of the DVR to know if I love it. I am already yo go back and sketch at least two of the gowns to recreate. So Pretty!
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Post by Miss Ida on Jan 21, 2008 0:49:15 GMT -5
Im glad you'd liked it cosmo, its my fav among the new adaptions (mind I have not seen the new S&S yet!)
the dresses are VERY pretty in this one!
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Post by Mme de Beaufort on Jan 21, 2008 1:33:46 GMT -5
Okay, I have to confess that I did enjoy this version much more than the last. I wish it were longer though. I feel like much was 'glossed over'. But I suppose that's the way it is when you have to squeeze a JA novel into 90 mins.
Anyway, I made my net overdress during the film. All I need is trim and sleeves. It really dresses up the white gown.
My husband finally made the stand for my dress form. It's so nice... I just had to pin the skirts on. Pictures soon... I may not be in the office at all tomorrow.
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Post by Miss Ida on Jan 21, 2008 1:58:17 GMT -5
Sounds great Steph!
Yeah 90 min is not long for a JA novel but have any of you seen the only other version of NA, back from the 70's 80's? with Peter Firth? that one my friends were AWFUL!
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Post by Val on Jan 21, 2008 12:19:38 GMT -5
*This is a reprint of what I wrote in my LiveJournal* Let's hear it for muslin! I'm least familiar with Jane Austen's Northhanger Abbey, but when all the imaginary scenes kept popping up in Catherine's head and coming to life, I just shook my head. Even I knew THIS is NOT Jane Austen. And it got worse. And worse, even to showing a seduction. Definitely not JA. I was feeling like Andrew Davies' was trying to make a social statement about how reading naughty books were the downfall of all maidens. Puleese!! I was giggling over the muslin conversations. I would have never imagined a gentleman could have that kind of knowledge, unless he was a tradesman, so being a fellow fabric-[naughty word], I loved it. And how could Catherine EVER even want to dance or look at John Thorpe? *shudder* He LOOKED evil, and NAUGHTY. Yuuuuuck!!! Was she THAT stupid? I realize these are adaptations, and every artist wants to create his own rendition, but he sure isn't going to make JA fans happy. That was the whole point of her books, the sweetness and naivety of it's characters; when men were gentlemen, and ladies were ladies; and seeing the social structure of the era. A comment on costumes; nothing jumped out at me that said MAKE ME! But I'm again drawn to the one Isabella was wearing with the pelisse that has the band in front under the bustline (similar to the ones worn in the Emma Thompson version of Sense & Sensability) That's on my project list. I'm afraid to even hope for Mansfield Park.
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modernmorland
Shopkeeper
'I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible."
Posts: 25
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Post by modernmorland on Jan 21, 2008 13:48:30 GMT -5
I really love this adaptation. I didn't see any real evidence that Catherine was interested in John Thorpe at all. She was polite--even kind--to him and failed to suspect him of real duplicity because he was Isabella's brother and James's friend, but she didn't give him concrete encouragement. Unfortunately, the adaptation didn't include some of the best scenes in which she tells him off in her own sweet way, but I thought the actors conveyed the characters' relationships well given what they had to work with.
I do agree that the seduction scene was unnecessary and inaccurate to the book, but it didn't damage my overall enjoyment of the film. I thought Henry and Catherine were both charming, and Eleanor is really growing on me. John Thorpe wasn't enough of a buffoon, nor was Isabella quite funny enough for my liking, but these were fairly minor problems in my opinion. I wasn't bothered by the dream sequences at all. I thought they were quite silly and fun, just as a parody of a Gothic novel should be, and they didn't damage Catherine's naivete. Even the strange fantasy of Isabella as Capt. Tilney's prisoner didn't show any indications that Catherine understood what might be going on between them *cough cough*.
Anyhow, to summarize, I found this adaptation very satisfying, although had it been longer, it would undoubtedly have been more so.
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Post by cosmoblue on Jan 21, 2008 13:58:58 GMT -5
Amy - I am so glad that you liked the adaptation too. ;D Seeing as you are the only one I have ever known who enjoys the book as much as I do.
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modernmorland
Shopkeeper
'I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible."
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Post by modernmorland on Jan 21, 2008 14:12:07 GMT -5
Thanks, Cosmo! I'm really surprised that I found so little to criticize in NA compared to many other loyal fans, because I've always considered myself very particular about how my favorite characters are portrayed. After all the time I've spent adapting the book and analyzing the personalities and motivations of its protagonists, you'd think I'd be horrified. But actually, something about this Catherine and Henry really rang true for me, even if their dialogue and actions weren't always taken directly from the book. It took me years to realize that Henry has a darker, more cynical side in addition to his humor, but I felt that JJ Feild balanced both very well. I was most impressed. A number of fans have expressed a dislike for the way Henry reprimanded Catherine in this version, saying he was too angry and harsh with her. Obviously, it's just a matter of opinion, but I didn't see that at all. I saw disappointment and hurt, very deftly handled. Still, it's a pity the script didn't contain any of the scenes in which Henry and Catherine reconcile prior to her being sent home.
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Post by cosmoblue on Jan 21, 2008 14:35:38 GMT -5
A number of fans have expressed a dislike for the way Henry reprimanded Catherine in this version, saying he was too angry and harsh with her. Obviously, it's just a matter of opinion, but I didn't see that at all. I saw disappointment and hurt, very deftly handled. I thought it was a bit harsh, but only because I love Catherine and don't want anyone to be even the slightest bit angry with her. When he was scolding her I felt like I was being scolded and I didn't care for that feeling. I don't think that he was cruel or mean. Still, it's a pity the script didn't contain any of the scenes in which Henry and Catherine reconcile prior to her being sent home. I agree. There are many scenes that I would have liked to see more of. It was too short!
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Lady Serendipity
Clergy
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort". --Jane Austen
Posts: 120
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Post by Lady Serendipity on Jan 21, 2008 15:28:02 GMT -5
Again, I came to this adaptation quite ignorant of the book and the story....
I have to say, I really enjoyed it, until the end! The end was SO abrupt! I was just trucking along, enjoying it, with no idea of the plot, not paying any attention to the clock...and I felt like the story was only half done!
Maybe I, like Catherine, bought way into the Gothic premise....but I felt sure there WERE still dark secrets yet to be revealed!
So it felt very disappointing. But....quite enjoyed the costumes!!
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Post by Miss Ida on Jan 22, 2008 1:54:12 GMT -5
try and watch the 86' version then you can talk of disappointment!
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Post by cosmoblue on Jan 23, 2008 18:46:12 GMT -5
Now that I have watched the film 4 times off of my DVR I am quite decided that I love it. I am going to have to purchase it because it makes me feel super happy! Love Love Love it!
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Post by Miss Ida on Jan 24, 2008 11:13:16 GMT -5
Glad you enjoyed it Cosmo! I love it too, makes you feel happy and pleasant indeside!
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savivi
Clergy
A hopeless romantic for non-existent men.
Posts: 100
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Post by savivi on Mar 1, 2008 16:46:10 GMT -5
Northanger Abbey is one of my absolute favorite books -- and I actually found this version to be a rip-off of the 80s one... only with the fantasy scenes more risque.
The hard thing about adapting the novel is taking The Mysteries of Udolpho into account. Mysteries of U was hardly terrifying, and wasn't nearly as scandalous as the Northanger Abbey movies led me to believe. It was bone chilling like when you're in a dark room and SWEAR there's someone with you, but you're alone.
I found NA the novel to be on that level of eery and mystery, but far more tongue in cheek (which was the whole point).
The adaptations were a charicature, and I thought didn't live up to the potential.
Oh, Henry Tilney... I'll still hold out for you.
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Post by cosmoblue on Mar 1, 2008 18:11:24 GMT -5
The adaptations were a charicature, and I thought didn't live up to the potential. I have seen this version 9 times now and love it even more than the 4th time. It is so entertaining each and every time. It was highly unlikely that the film could be as good as the book in such a short amount of time. I feel that had they taken 5-6 hours then the adaptation would have been much more to many peoples liking.
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savivi
Clergy
A hopeless romantic for non-existent men.
Posts: 100
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Post by savivi on Mar 1, 2008 19:06:09 GMT -5
I can definitely agree that adding more time to it would have improved it (actually, any extra time spent in a Jane Austen story is good for me) - and I realize I didn't talk about the things I liked about the new version before.
I thought the actors did well (Catherine was adorable, and Tilney was nice to look at, thank you very much), and the set and costume design was lovely. I really really enjoyed the time spent in Bath.
But it's still the over-the-top fantasy scenes that don't mesh well with me, for the same reasons mentioned in my post before. It makes me wonder if the 80s adaptation hadn't been made, how different the new one would have been.
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Post by cosmoblue on Mar 1, 2008 21:59:49 GMT -5
Catherine was adorable, and Tilney was nice to look at, thank you very much), and the set and costume design was lovely. Catherine was almost exactly how I imagined her. Tilney is dreamy! Eye candy all around. But it's still the over-the-top fantasy scenes that don't mesh well with me, for the same reasons mentioned in my post before. It makes me wonder if the 80s adaptation hadn't been made, how different the new one would have been. They were a bit weird, but not having seen the 80s version I cannot compare them. I could certainly have done without the kooky fantasy scenes. However my DH who has never read the book thought that they were the most exciting part of the movie even though he admitted they made no sense. I cannot say that I approve of his taste, but I have learned to accept it
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savivi
Clergy
A hopeless romantic for non-existent men.
Posts: 100
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Post by savivi on Mar 27, 2008 9:04:04 GMT -5
Okay, so I watched the new Northanger Abbey again. And wished I had kept my big mouth shut in my earlier posts, because now I LOVE it. Love it love it love it.
I must have been in a really snotty mood. I don't know what I was thinking when I criticized it so harshly.
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