Austen Geek

Because really, it's all about the men.

2008-02-17T18:33:00.000-08:00

This image never fails to crack me up. That is all.

Added scene in Persuasion 2007 American broadcast

2008-02-17T18:10:00.000-08:00

After the recent uproar over the fact that we're getting edited versions of the new Austen adaptations on Masterpiece Theatre (I refuse to call it "Masterpiece"), I thought it very strange indeed to discover that we Americans actually got a scene in our broadcast that was not included in the British broadcast.

During the scenes at Lyme, after Anne and Captain Harville discuss Captain Benwick's ability to get over his recent loss, the PBS broadcast edits out a one minute and 20 minute sequence in which Captain Wentworth steals a couple of quick glances at Anne ("Not looking at her. Seriously, I'm not looking at her.") and then the group passes Mr Elliot on the stairs leading up to the top of the Cobb with Mr Elliot taking a fancy toward Anne and Captain Wentworth being taken aback by the fact that another man fancies Anne.

In the American broadcast, the scene switches from Anne and Captain Harville's conversation to a shot of waves to a shot of Anne standing on the Cobb looking out at the sea and then into the camera. It then picks up with the British version showing Anne in front of the mirror at the inn.

The added scenes total about 20 seconds and were probably included to help transition the musical cues, but still, it would have been far better had the original scenes not been edited out at all. I just find it rather ironic that after all the scenes that were taken out, they decided to add some in for us.

Northanger Abbey, or How Adorable Are the Tilney Children Going to Be?

2008-01-26T22:26:00.000-08:00

“I’m going to do what against a tree?”

Continuing in the great tradition of gently mocking "The Complete Jane Austen," here is "Northanger Abbey," slightly belated. I enjoyed this adaptation much more than the first two times I watched it. For once I think the editing helped.Spoilers, obviously. Some of the images are slightly more suggestive than the American broadcast. Those marked with an asterisk are among cut scenes. Once again, screen caps courtesy of the awesome angelfish_icons.

And now, Northanger Abbey, or How Adorable Are the Tilney Children Going to Be?

Evidence #513 that I'm an Austen Geek

2008-01-13T16:04:00.000-08:00

Yes, that' Ciaran Hinds' autograph on the cover of my "Persuasion" '95 DVD. I was fortunate enough to see him perform in "The Seafarer" on Broadway recently (amazing performance), and after the show, I waited outside the stagedoor in the freezing cold with a friend hoping to catch a glimpse of him. We were the only ones waiting.

After a few minutes, he came out. I asked if he would sign my Playbill and then if he would sign my DVD. From his reaction, I may be the first person to have ever asked him to do that. He was incredibly kind and as he wrote across Amanda Root's back, he said, "Amanda's lovely in this, isn't she?" to which I heartily agreed. I was then giddy for about two hours.

I am such a geek!

Persuasion, or Sex on Legs

2008-01-13T15:52:00.000-08:00

This doesn’t really advance the plot, but c’mon. Do I need a reason?

In celebration of the premiere of "The Complete Jane Austen" on Masterpiece Theatre in the US, I present you with "Persuasion" 2007 picspam, starring the very attractive Sally Hawkins and the extremely attractive Rupert Penry-Jones.

Images marked with an asterisk were edited out of the American broadcast, but will, I'm told, be available on the DVD. Screen caps courtesy of the lovely angelfish_icons.

While nothing, in my opinion, can compare to the '95 version, there is much to enjoy in this adaptation. (Like asking the eternal question: When exactly did Rupert Penry-Jones get so hot? I remember him from back in the day when he did "The Student Prince" aka "The Prince of Hearts" and the boy did not look like this. The years have been kind to him.)

So without further ado, Persuasion, or Sex on Legs.

Austen Geek: An Introduction

2008-01-13T14:44:00.000-08:00

I have a confession to make, one in which I am not ashamed to proclaim. I am a Jane Austen geek.

Twelve years ago, almost to the very day, I saw "Sense and Sensibility" starring Emma Thompson in the movie theatres. I had heard the name Jane Austen before that and I was aware she written a book called Pride and Prejudice, but I had somehow confused it in my mind with War and Peace and thought P&P was all about Russian balls.

"Sense and Sensibility" changed my life. Not only did it introduce me to the work of Jane Austen, but it also truly opened up the world of costume dramas to me. I eagerly watched each new adaptation that came out in the 90s, and by the time I entered college and had read most of Austen's work, I was something of an amateur Austen scholar. Albeit, a rather strange one. Case in point, I once wrote a paper in which I attempted to compare Mr. Darcy to Superman. (Yes, I know.)

I completely embrace my Jane Austen obsession. I've been to Chawton. I've bought the tea towl. And yes, I own the action figure. So I figured it was time to do the only healthy thing and start a blog.

With the premiere of "The Complete Jane Austen" on Masterpiece Theatre tonight, an event I've been eagerly awaiting since they first announced the new adaptations, I thought it only fitting, that I begin to chronicle my love for all things Austen on the internets. Jane Austen adaptations will play a large role in this blog, but I also intend to talk about the many other costume dramas I love and look forward to(Bronte, Gaskell, Dickens, etc), the books I'm reading, and from time to time, my irrational love for "Doctor Who."

And for the record, I hated "Becoming Jane." But that should come as no real surprise.