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.
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