BBC's Emma 1972

This miniseries took some getting used to. I am so accustomed to the more recent version of Emma played by Gwyneth Paltrow that I needed a little while to adjust to the characters. However, I really did enjoy this version. One of the first things that struck me was the natural easiness of the lines. It truly felt like they were thoughts of the moment not a script that was memorized. Many times characters interrupting each other, speaking over each other, in a way that felt unrehearsed.

My first impression of Mr. Knightly was unfavorable as he really did look like he was the age that he is portrayed to be. This is not his fault, it is just me, once again, struggling with the difference between this version and the more recent. But in the end I am glad of him. He plays the part very well and I ended up liking him in spite of myself.

One small thing that I enjoyed seeing in this rendition was the many different ways that the women employed their time. They didn't limit it to playing the pianoforte and needlework, the director had obviously researched and had the characters doing numerous different things during the normal dialog. I always enjoy seeing this as it is more realistic and gives us a better idea of the age which these stories were written.

Another aspect of this miniseries that I loved was how true it was to the book. You need not have read the book to follow the storyline, and nothing important is lost. They did a great job of keeping in many of the subtleties of characters and plot lines. I really enjoyed it.

Northanger Abbey - BBC 1987

BBC's rendition of Northanger Abbey struck me at first as a bit cheesy. The acting and the music did not strike me as natural. However, keeping in mind that this was filmed in 1987 it is not terrible. As you get further into the plot the acting either gets better or you stop noticing. The music, however, was still as dramatic as ever. I did finish the movie with a slight crush on Peter Firth.

One aspect that was interesting about this movie was Bath. I have always been curious about what people did in Bath, having never been curious enough to research, and this movie really showed that well. It showed the people in the Bath Houses actually in the water. This I found fascinating, as it is the first movie I have ever seen to truly show this side of Bath.

It is necessary to have read the book to follow the plot as much is left out. I am not sure but it may also be necessary to be familiar with the work of Anne Radcliffe, The Mysteries of Udolpho. But I am not certain of that point as I have read that book and therefore cannot judge if the scenes of Catherine's imagination in regards to that book give a greater understanding or more confusion. In Jane Austen's book, Northanger Abbey, it is not necessary to have read The Mysteries of Udolpho. But in the movie they have many scenes that quickly switch to Catherine's imagination without it being clear that it is not reality. It is also not very clear where these scenes are coming from, which is much described in Austen's book.

If you are a Jane Austen enthusiast you may enjoy seeing how certain scenes are depicted in this movie, that is really it's only redeeming quality. If you are not you may walk away with the feeling that the book is not worth your time. This would be sad as it definitely does not do Austen justice.

Introductions and Explanations

I must begin by stating that I am no expert. I do not pretend to have a greater understanding of Jane Austen's works. I only create this blog as a form of amusement to myself. If you choose to disagree with my findings I welcome your comments so long as you are kind in making them. I will, likewise, remain kind in receiving them.

The purpose of thos blog is simply to review anything regarding Jane Austen that I come across. It may be an audio recording, it may be a movie, it may be a website. If it interests me enough to listen, watch, or browse I will share it here.

Enjoy!