Northanger Abbey in Other Media

Northanger Abbey, like Persuasion, was not published until after Jane Austen's death. However, in comparison to its sister novel, this little satire of Gothic novels has received few adaptions, which may explain why it gets so little love from fandom in general. Here's a sampling of the few I've seen around.

As far as I'm aware, there are only two filmed versions of this book, both televised: the 1980s BBC/A&E which I only know from online reviews (here, here, and here), and the 2007 iTV/Masterpiece Classic starring Felicity Jones and J J Feild, which I have seen the majority of (though never in one sitting). The two leads really capture their roles well, Carey Mulligan as Isabella Thorpe is delightfully catty, and I appreciated both the Allens for providing a nice presence despite their lack of screen time.

There is a problem when this promo picture is the only one where the characters smile.

Unfortunately, the screenplay was forced to condense a lot of the story due to the short length of a made-for-television movie. The majority of Henry Tilney's witty repartee winds up on the cutting room floor. Catherine fairs a bit better, as most of her early progress through Bath is still there, but once we get to the titular abbey the narrative zips by even faster than in the book. Most importantly, the decision to place their confrontation over her suspicions so late in the story, and to cut the scenes between them afterwards, robs her of any growth as an individual or in her relationship. It's as if Elizabeth received Darcy's letter, then immediately went home to find Lydia and Wickham had eloped, and then Darcy showed up immediately upon that, roll credits.

The main virtue of this adaptation is its humorous tone. Too many Austen movies forget that she's a master comic, but there are several very funny scenes here. I'm especially fond of the ending bit where Henry uncomfortably sips a glass of milk while the little Morland children all watch him intently. Also, Catherine's meet cute intro to the hero, while abbreviated, is still light and whimsical, while Mrs. Allen gets to be wonderfully oblivious. It's a B for effort. Hopefully someone films a more complete miniseries one day.

Want more of Austen's great text than any film will ever give you? Then the stage is the place for you, and fortunately the University of Iowa Department of Theatre Arts put their show online. The first thing you'll notice is that Miss Austen herself is onstage as a narrator, allowing all of the author's trademark wit to shine as she comments on what's going on. She even gets to stop the actors at moments to manage how they behave, smashing the fourth wall completely.

That's more like it: the screenshot might be fuzzier, but the smiles are much better.

The fidelity to the story is very good: they even allow Henry his fanciful storytelling. Catherine gets lots of great tomboyish moments, like jumping a spot on the trail instead of being helped across. I also liked the embellishment of having their night at the theatre foreshadow Catherine's fears about the abbey even if it is a departure from the text, as it helps clue the audience in on genre conventions they might not be familiar with.

However, this story once again makes the confrontation the penultimate moment. I get that adapters want high drama for a climax, but again, this move stunts the characters' development. Also, we still don't get to go to Woodston!

It's a college production, so some of the characters are not as as they would appear in a different venue. There are also some odd casting/directorial decisions: John Thorpe is appropriately exuberant but comes across almost likeable rather than obnoxious, and Henry Tilney, while excellent both teasing and sincere, is bald (petty, I know, but it threw me a lot). Overall I liked the portrayals and found much to admire in this script. I'd certainly love to see it live someday.

As I mentioned yesterday, I am very fond of the dramatic reading available on Librivox, a repository of open source audiobooks. Using multiple voices rather than one really brings the characters and story to life. The recording quality is quite good: no pops or strange noises in the background, with each track at a consistent volume and the different voices all sounding reasonably close in quality.

The vocal talents are what sell this recording. There are two narrators, which can be jarring the first time they switch, but both provide an appropriate deadpan delivery that really cement Austen's ironic descriptions and expressions. Henry and Catherine especially are rock solid, as are the Thorpes and Mrs. Allen. All of these actors take the time not only to read but interpret their parts, with a firm grasp of their characters' defining traits and understanding of the material.

The other characters suffer a little; in particular, General Tilney is difficult to understand at times, if appropriately haughty and belligerent in turn. James Morland sounds a bit stiff (which could be a choice, but limits his emotional range), and unfortunately Captain Tilney's few lines are delivered with no attempt at a British accent at all (unlike the rest of the vocals).

All in all, though, I think this version the best of any other medium I've experienced for Northanger Abbey. I enjoy it so much that I'd love for most of the voice talents to read my work if they'd be willing (putting it out there early!)

What about you? Have you seen or listened to any of these adaptations before, or experienced one I haven't mentioned? What's your favorite Jane Austen production?