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Northanger Abbey [DVD] [1986]


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Absolutely terrible...
Review date: 2010-04-01 Rating: 2 out of 10

...in every way!
First: The hero in an Austen movie MUST look like a hero. Plain is ok, but Henry Tilney should NOT look like the heroines old sleezy uncle. Catherine Morland looks okay, as her brother does, but miss Thorpe and her brother looks over the top vulgar, like a lot of the cast. Some of the minor characters actually look like they are going to a freak show; huge wigs, their hair in a mess, curls all over the place, lots of red lipstick and makeup carelessly put on, fake moles, and everybody looking just unwashed or over powdered.
And the dialogue... if you are an Austen fan like me, turn the volume off. Or get irritated or amused, not only by the pathetic and sometimes confusing dialogue, but also of the incredible music. It sounds like a seventies roadmovie, or maybe they got the leftovers from the musical HAIR. And if that's not bad enough, the music works against the scenes most of the time. It's like they thought: why not make this romantic scene creepy. Or this scary scene funny. Or let's just ruin this scene with some saxophone...
And yet I haven't mentioned the plot, the costumes or the lack of chemistry between the main characters...

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Reviews


Northanger Abbey
Review date: 2009-08-05 Rating: 6 out of 10

I ordered this version of Northanger Abbey before I had read the reviews so was a little apprehensive when it arrived. I cannot understand what the other reviewers found so appalling in this production. Peter Firth was exactly how I imagined Henry Tilney - although his portrayal of him was a little camp at times - and Catherine Morland and Mrs Allen also were excellently cast. Robert Hardy made General Tilney rather more scary than I imagined from reading the book but I always find Robert Hardy to be the most watchable actor. I am afraid the "music" passed me by and I did not find it in the slightest irritating. The plot seemed to wander a litle towards the end with the appearance of the French Countess but Northanger Abbey is by far my favourite Jane Austen novel and I enjoyed this prodution very much.

1 star is overly generous
Review date: 2009-07-19 Rating: 2 out of 10

Four of us, all lovers of period dramas, have just sat through this drivel. We all agree it is quite the worst period drama we have ever seen.

Are people watching the same DVD as I am
Review date: 2009-04-11 Rating: 10 out of 10

I personally cannot see what all the criticism is about this DVD, perhaps it comes from all the Austen purists/Andrew Davies fans (although I still prefer his version of Pride and Predjudice over any other) , I first saw this in 1986 when it was made and thoroughly enjoyed it and seeing it again all these years later still enjoyed it as much, the costumes are beautiful, the sets and Bath itself are magnificent and I think the acting is first class amongst all the lead character's especially Robert Hardy and Googie Withers. It is very much of it's time before the re-interpretation of Austen by such writer's as Andrew Davie's who perhaps bring a more 'modern' slant to Jane's writings that some people prefer, but the dialogue is first class and I think it certainly capture's the spirit of Katherine and her sometimes confusion between the real world and that of Mrs Radcliffe!

I also do not agree about the music I think the music is perfect it has a mix of the traditional for example in the dancing etc and then goes to the more 'ethereal' during the dream sequences and Katherine's imagining of what might be....

Please do not discount this version it is well worth a view and probably influenced a lot of the modern versions of Austen that people might care to admit.

The adorable couple
Review date: 2008-12-18 Rating: 8 out of 10

I first saw this on TV and for me the two leads are the definitive Mr Tilney and Catherine Moreland. Katherine Schlesinger has the most expressive blue eyes imagineable and portrays an innocence that is touching. Peter Firth never looked more handsome than in Regency dress with his gold curls. I live near Bath and whenever I visit the haunts in the film I 'see' those two. I recently saw 'Catherine's' memorable white dress with the blue sash in an exhibition in the costume museum. The supporting players come warmly to life and it is fun to see them 'taking the waters' in the Pump Room baths. Despite the small budget and the obviously dated electronic score I continue to enjoy this little gem more than other later adaptations. I love the ending in particular, the music actually works very well at this point to emphasise the emotion of declared love and adoration. A recent BBC documentary on the Gothic novels in the Regency period used sequences from this DVD version as an illustration of their style and content. They are very accurate to the Gothic novel which forms part of the plot.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Peter Firth
Katherine Schlesinger
Googie Withers
Robert Hardy

Creators:
Peter Firth (Primary Contributor)
Googie Withers (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503171421
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2005-11-07
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 88 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1986
Language: English (Original Language)

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