More on PERSUASION 2007 filming in Bath
The Bath Chronicle had an article on the filming that named some of the shooting locations.
The crew were in Neston Park last week for a scene showing the inside of what Austen conceived as Elliot’s Bath home. On Monday they were in the Pump Room, and yesterday they were based in the Assembly Rooms, the setting for a concert in the book.
According to the schedule, today will see Bennett Street transformed and tomorrow Sally Hawkins, who plays Anne, will be running down Bennett Street from Lansdown Road as she hurriedly seeks Captain Wentworth, played by Rupert Penry-Jones, star of the BBC spy drama Spooks.
Filming will be finished fairly soon, sounds like:
“It’s very tight. A number of the main characters won’t be working with us after this week,” she said.
“Of course, we’ll still have the main two, but people like Anthony Head and Julia Davis won’t be with us anymore.”
Their preparation warms the Editrix’s wizened spinster heart.
It has also been revealed that before filming began, the production team were in Bath as part of a meticulous fact-finding mission.
In an effort to make sure historical details are accurately represented in the new adaptation, the crew tapped into the resources of the Bath Record Office archives at the Guildhall. The Records Office was only too happy to assist the crew by showing them manuscripts and sketches dating back to the 19th century and providing information about the social conventions and events of the time.
Colin Johnston, principal archivist, said: “We have been delighted to help where we can. We were able to provide a lot of details about the layout of the streets, and indeed the Pump Room. Old sketches showing caricatures and cartoons of Georgian life were also useful for the crew and to help the props people get an idea of what was in fashion at the time.”
Alert Janeite Maisy also posted some links to set photos taken by an extra. Looks like more of the shooting in Bath Street that we linked to earlier as well as some in the Circus.
“So, Miss Anne, Sir Walter and your sister are gone; and what part of Bath do you think they will settle in?” and this, without much waiting for an answer; or in the young ladies’ addition of, “I hope we shall be in Bath in the winter; but remember, papa, if we do go, we must be in a good situation: none of your Queen Squares for us!” or in the anxious supplement from Mary, of– “Upon my word, I shall be pretty well off, when you are all gone away to be happy at Bath!”
October 17th, 2006 at 4:23 am
Anne RUNNING down the streets of Bath? *gasp*
I’m afraid that I’m so much of a purist I was shocked (as sweet as the moment was) at the kiss in the streets in the otherwise almost perfect version with Amanda Root. It also didn’t ring true the way she desperately got up and went after Captain Wentworth to try to get him to stay when he was leaving the concert. So you know I grabbed my smelling salts when I read THAT. On the other hand, I can handle it if the overall thing is as good as the previous version.
October 17th, 2006 at 2:05 pm
I just saw Love Actually again this weekend, and Julia Davis is in that movie for about 10 seconds (she is the cook in Keira’s wedding, and this Colin character speaks to her); on the commentary Richard Curtis says this girl is going places.
October 17th, 2006 at 4:39 pm
Yes, she really shouldn’t be running, she should save her energy for the long wrong-way-round walk Wentworth and her will be doing via the gravel path near the Royal Crescent before getting taken home to Camden Crescent. It’s STEEP! Rather than run, couldn’t she just walk fast?
October 17th, 2006 at 4:56 pm
My question is: WHERE’S CHARLES???
I love Charles Musgrove, and hope he hasn’t been cut out of that scene! It’s so funny, when he veritably delivers Anne into Wentworth’s arms and then runs off to the gunsmiths.
October 18th, 2006 at 1:36 pm
More geese, though.
October 18th, 2006 at 6:47 pm
Karenlee, glad someone else was weirded out when Anne loudly begged Wentworth to stay at the concert hall in the 1995 version, which I otherwise adore, mostly due to the fantastic Ciarán Hinds. They almost seemed to have a lover’s spat in full view, with everyone turning their heads and voices drowning out the music. Most unbecoming, and most of all, un-Anne E. They do this iritatingly often in the film adaptations. Like Bingley coming straight in to Jane’s bedroom with scarcely a knock while she lies there in her bedclothes. Do they think the conventions at the time too dull for our sensibilities? I think the restraint of Jane’s time leant itself to an undercurrent of strong feeling which was understood but not so openly demonstrated. Seems like every film version has one scene that makes me squirm and wish someone would READ THE BOOK PLEASE.
October 19th, 2006 at 11:08 pm
Did anyone else feel from the pics that the girl playing Anne Elliot is a bit young? Anne is 27 in the book. By the looks of Sally hawkins, she sould have been 13 when Wentworth first proposed to her. Also, pleeeease don’t have her running down the street after him! Jane’s heroines do not run after men! Lucy Steeles run after men.
October 20th, 2006 at 3:56 pm
Sally Hawkins is 30 years old so she is actually older than Anne. Maybe she just has a youthful look about her. I think she looks good in the role so far.