And so tonight is the screening by PSB in America of ITV’s adaptation of Northanger Abbey , scripted by Andrew Davies, starring JJ Feild as a rather delicious Henry Tilney. My main problems with this production that it did not film crucial scenes in Bath but instead substituted Georgian Dublin for the city in the novel. I can fully understand the financial reason for doing this, but to me a lot was lost by substituting Bath for another place( albeit another sumptuous Georgian city). Bath is a very important part of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion and not to use these famous sites menas that , for me, a certain dimension was lost.
Next week PBS is screening ITV’s version of Persuasion, which in spite of its faults did use Bath (!) and so in honour of that, I will be hosting a short Persuasion season here at AustenOnly from tomorrow.
I do hope you can join me.
8 comments
February 14, 2010 at 10:37 pm
Julie
As little as I like this Northanger Abbey, I have to say that my feelings for it pale in comparison with how much I detest this version of Persuasion. As I’ve told people around the WWW, it wounds me deeply to have to say it because Persuasion is possibly my favorite book in the world. I desperately wanted to like this adaptation, but I find that it really has very few (if any) redeeming features. I’ll definitely read what you have to say about it, but will probably stick with the Olympics next Sunday night instead of Persuasion.
-Julie P.
February 15, 2010 at 9:38 am
myenglishcountrygarden
LOL ah well….to each his/her own. Most true is it that one half of the world etc etc
February 16, 2010 at 3:04 am
Julie
Based on what I’ve seen of your writings over the years, I find it interesting that you like the latest version of Persuasion. The moving around of the constancy discussion, the fact that Frederick never hears the discussion and the butchering of the letter (which, since Frederick never hears the constancy discussion, there is no reason for him to write the letter in the first place) and, last but not least, the Bath Marathon, turn me off completely.
February 16, 2010 at 4:06 am
jfwakefield
As you’ve read my views expressed in the past, I thought you would realise I was being ironicand no where have I actually stated her that I liked this version. But it is still the funniest version Ive ever seen.Ive not laughed so much at any other version.
Now,I hope you dont mind,but I really dont want to turn this blog into a discussion of the merits or demerits of adaptations, as there are many, many places where that can be done. I’d rather concentrate on the text, OK?
February 15, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Bob D
I like NA very much. And even tho this 90 minute version hardly does it justice, Felicity Jones is lovely and charming.
Looking forward to your Persuasion digression. Thanks so much for your fascinating posts.
February 15, 2010 at 10:15 pm
jfwakefield
Hello Bob.I too love Northanger Abbey,and thanks for the compliments . Id like Tim Burton to attempt a version one day …..
February 15, 2010 at 10:06 pm
Cathy Allen
Oh, Yes, I’ll join you! Bath…Dublin…hmmm…someday…
Thanks,
CEA
February 15, 2010 at 10:14 pm
jfwakefield
Why not