Austen Season trailer preview
Alert Janeite Alessia let us know that The Guardian’s Organgrinder blog has updated their post of the other day with a preview of the Austen Season trailer, which you can download and obsess over. Discuss amongst yourselves.
February 24th, 2007 at 12:17 am
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so looking forward to all three of these films! This is so exciting!
:) 
February 24th, 2007 at 12:23 am
WOW! I cannot wait! Thank you for posting the link!
February 24th, 2007 at 12:25 am
If melodrama were shillings, I’d have that pied à terre in Bath within a week.
February 24th, 2007 at 12:41 am
I am so glad that we get the theater scene in this version of NA. Do you think we’ll get the line “My dear. You tumble my gown.”?
All three of these look great so far. The only complaints I have are 1) Anne running through Bath with “The Letter” 2) Fanny’s hair. By the way.
The seduction scene of Captain Tilney and Isabella looks like it’s one of Catherine’s fantasies. Notice it’s all blue/white; kind of dream-like.
Captain Wentworth…..Ahhhhhh!!!! I’m a puddle already!
I like that scene where one can see Fanny and Edmund’s hands touch.
OK, I’d better stop rambling here.:)
February 24th, 2007 at 12:58 am
Beautiful trailer! *sigh*
NA looks like it will be real good.
Finally! Some shots of Edmund! That shot of his and Fanny’s hands touching was so wonderful.
February 24th, 2007 at 3:33 am
Everything looks beautiful. Does anyone know what the music is ? Before seeing it, I was really looking forward to the adaptation of Persuasion because I already really like the 1995 one and I wondered what they could do to make it better, but now I must say I’m most looking forward to Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park, the acting looks gorgeous, the hands touching, the smiles, the looks. Very very good. I can’t wait !
February 24th, 2007 at 3:44 am
I can’t wait for Persuasion!
Rupert and Sally look wonderful together.
I’m sorry to say that Billie Piper won’t make me change my mind about that boring Fanny.
February 24th, 2007 at 4:38 am
This looks absolutely WONDERFUL!!!
Thanks for posting that link, I’m going to watch it over and over again now! 
And finally some shots of Edmund! *Sigh* They seem to do the hand-touching-thing in a lot of period drama lately, by the way.
But the music is beautiful.
I think the voice-over-guy in this clip talks quite some silly nonsese, though!
By the way, I really think that Felicity Jones (who plays Catherine Morland) looks like Kate Beckinsale when she played Emma.
At first I was most looking forward to NA, but now I can’t decide to which one I’m mostly looking forward. A big dilemma when I’ll receive the DVD’s and have to decide which one to watch first…..
February 24th, 2007 at 4:53 am
Has this made it onto YouTube yet? poor mac users can’t watch this!
February 24th, 2007 at 6:23 am
I am so ridiculously excited by these!! Especially Persuasion – Rupert Penry-Jones is just perfect!! *swoon*
And however much I’m annoyed by Billie Piper’s hair-do, I’m determined to give her a chance as she was very good in Ruby in the Smoke.
Must go watch it again…
February 24th, 2007 at 8:11 am
Mac users can watch the downloadable version with VLC. I cannot wait for Persuasion…
February 24th, 2007 at 9:49 am
Since I don’t own the Beckinsale “Emma,” I just might have to bite the bullet and invest in this boxed set from the UK and watch them all long before they’re on Masterpiece Theater.
I’ve just finished re-reads of NA and Persuasion. 2 down, 3 to go… (I can put off P&P for the moment)
February 24th, 2007 at 9:52 am
AHHHHHH!!!! It’s beautiful! Absolutely gorgeous. *squees beyond measure and wildly flaps hands in fanning motion* Oh, oh, oh— Sally Hawkins looks lovely, as do Rupert P-J (swoon!) and Felicity Jones. I wish they wouldn’t have Anne running through Bath (that is such a cliche-the proper [select your era] woman breaking the rules to get to her love). But over all, P3 and NA2 are looking really good ^_^ and MP3 is looking better than MP1–maybe they’re going into melodrama, Mags, but at least they’re not as uptight as MP1 was (yawn :O).
February 24th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Just watched it again, and who is that dancing (too close?) w/Catherine? It doesn’t look like Da Man (bummer :D), it looks rather more like John Thorpe, which does make sense (i.e. him pressing into her space bubble, trying to take control). Hey, ‘dya see bad!Mary playing the harp?
February 24th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Fanny and Edmund’s hand-touching is surely more of a homage to MP2 - specifically the scene where they hold hands in the carriage when Fanny returns to MP from Portsmouth.
Overall looking good! Felicity Jones is perfect as Catherine - at least in looks. And I thought JJ Feild made for quite a dashing Tilney too.
Of course nothing quite matches the uber-dashing heights of Rupert P-J as Wentworth! Mind you, I have been a big fan of his for some time, due to Spooks (or Mi5 as I believe it’s called in the USA).
I have been trying to work out when these films will air. If, as rumoured, MP is the 18th, I wonder if the season will have already kicked off the week before with Emma, or will ITV choose to start on the 18th because that is also Mothers Day?? Just a thought.
February 24th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Looks a bit Bronte to me, Mags. *sneaks back under thesis*
February 24th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
There are several things I noticed whilst viewing this clip for the tenth time.
NA2 will include the theater scene (which is my favorite), John Thorpe dancing with Catherine, a very pretty Isabella whispering secrets to Catherine, Catherine will read James’s letter out loud to Miss Tilney who apparently has is light brown hair, and Henry Tilney wears tall hats but not very many great coats (sorry Mags). I looking forward to my favorite novel coming to life!
P3 will end in a kiss, Mr. Elliot kisses Anne’s hand, the pretty Anne has kept Capt Wentworth’s letters and she she runs through Bath with “the letter”. I’m really starting to like Sally Hawkins as Anne and think she’s not plain at all and she’ll play the piano beautifully!
MP3 will have Fanny & Edmund’s hands touching in the carriage and Edmund grabbing Fanny by the arm, both Bertram girls admire Mr. Crawford greatly and Maria even kisses him! Mary Crawford’s harp will be played, and Henry Crawford isn’t in the least ugly he’s going to be very handsome though I fear this MP will again focus too much on the so called “love triangle” between Fanny, Edmund and Crawford. Billie Piper is too pretty for Fanny, too grown up, I can not like her.
February 24th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
To those still unable to get the trailer, the Quicktime version is available here:
http://www.tlc-graphics.com/post/Tony/JASeason.mov.zip
I also converted it to the correct aspect ratio, thereby getting rid of the long faces.
February 24th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Thanks, Tony!
February 24th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Who did the voice over? He sounds sexay!
February 24th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
I think the voice-over-guy in this clip talks quite some silly nonsese, though!
I barely comprehended what he was saying ’cause I was so focused on what I was seeing.
I’m glad we’ll get the theater scene in this version of Northanger Abbey! How nice to spot Mr. and Mrs. Allen, the General, James Moreland, Eleanor Tilney, and John Thorpe. At the dance John Thorpe seems to tower over Catherine and dances uncomfortably close to her. Henry Tilney looks good in tall hats and makes a dashing figure. What a look he gave Catherine at the theater! Carey Mulligan is a very pretty Isabella and I liked the shot of her whispering secrets to Catherine. In my opinion, Felicity Jones (Catherine Morland) looks like Kate Beckinsale when she played Emma.
I’m getting more excited about Mansfield Park, thanks to the trailer. What a fine looking fellow Edmund Bertram is. He has a nice stare while reclining on a sofa (possibly watching Mary play her harp?). He smiles at Fanny and their hands touch. (AWWW!!!!) Even when he’s upset he’s handsome. Both Bertram girls admire Henry Crawford, who is not in the least ugly. I’m still unsure about Billie but I’m starting to warm up to her more; I liked the different range of emotion I glimpsed her show.
I haven’t yet read or seen any of the other adaptations of Persuasion, but it looks good and I will very likely see it.
*siggggh* Those in the UK are so lucky; just about a month to go!!
February 24th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
I never saw the Elizabeth Garvie version of P&P because I cannot stand the woman. Could the same happen with Persuasion here? Sally Hawkins seems all wrong to me, more and more every time I see her
February 24th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
I’m not sure if I like it or not. It’s nice to see little glimpses of pieces of the novel that seem to have come to life (like the theatre shot from NA - I like that!), but the way they’re treating it is as if it’s all just kleenex-inducing “dwama.” Or a soap opera. And Mr. Narrator doesn’t help dispel that idea one bit.
My opinion of Persuasion stays the same - I didn’t like P2 that much so I’m looking forward to seeing it. I do think Sally Hawkins looks the part.
MP? Ugh, if Fanny is going to be hanging out of her dresses the whole film, Henry’s attraction to her does him no credit.
February 24th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
I LOVED the trailer, everything looks fantastic, I only wish those in the USA could get Masterpiece Theatre to release their Jane Austen Season schedule so we could plan to watch… Hopefully they will not make us wait four months like they did for Bleak House.
~R
February 24th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Oh Melodrama indeed! Definitely, and in spades at that. Which is precisely why ITV will hit its target audience squarely where its aiming with this trailer, and then some. Tobias Menzies’ “deceit sealed with a kiss” was enough for me!
I fully admit I’m no Austen purist, and therefore have no license to run around with a concealed spork
I consider myself a moderate Austenite, which is why I can see Anne running through Bath (and through a poorly lit passageway with apparently nobody too close around to see) forgivable for the sake of visually illustrating (which is what “screen” adaptations are at least partially about after all) her inner heart’s desire to connect with and confess her true feelings to Captain Wentworth once he’s provided the appropriate opportunity for her do to so.
Felicity Jones looks and acts from the little we’ve seen so far absolutely perfect in my mind as Catherine Moreland, as do the rest of the cast for Northanger. I am far too bias as far as Sally Hawkins is concerned to say much there, other than I can barely wait! And oh yes indeed RPJ is more than swoonable (such a lovely voice).
As for Billie Piper, well I don’t care what anybody says, the gal’s got talent and I’m more than willing to give her a chance as Fanny. Plus I’ve never had a particularly fixed image of Fanny in my head, so visually she does fine for me (and again, being just an Austenite moderate, the slightly off hair-do thing doesn’t disturb me).
In short, I’m hooked. It’s going to be a long haul into the boat from across the Pond though!
February 24th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
I fear this MP will again focus too much on the so called “love triangle” between Fanny, Edmund and Crawford.
There’s a triangle between the three of them? I must have missed that in the book. Or was one created in MP2?
February 24th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
One word: GUH.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:11 am
I think it’s a bit overdone.
February 25th, 2007 at 4:22 am
Marcia, could I second your “Tobias Menzies’ “deceit sealed with a kiss” was enough for me!”? Slurp! I like Anne’s piano as well. NA theatre scene…ooooh! Am very much looking forward to all three (while my heart is sinking about ‘Becoming Jane’).
February 25th, 2007 at 7:46 am
The dates for the release of the DVD’s have been changed: Mansfield Park will be released on March 19th, then NA follows on March 23th, and last but not least, Persuasion (my favorite!), on April 2nd. I’m from Portugal, so I’ll have to wait for the release of the DVD’s to see the films! I can’t wait! The first two have pictures of the covers, but Persuasion doesn’t, I don’t know why!
February 25th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
I’m so excited about this. NA and MP look very interesting, but it’s the Persuasion clips that have me all giddy and overjoyed. RPJ has been one of my favourite actors for a while (I’m a big fan of him on Spooks/MI-5) and he is going to be the most dashing and wonderful Captain Wentworth. I am very impressed with Sally Hawkins. I didn’t like the pictures I saw of her, but she lights up the screen in these clips and while re-reading Persuasion for the umpteenth time last night, I actually saw Sally as Anne several times. I can’t wait!
February 25th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
Robyn, we’re going to have to wait more than 4 months. These movies are being shown in the UK in March, and we in the US have to wait until November. I have a multi-region DVD player and am considering buying the discs when they’re released in the UK.
February 25th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
OH, MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!
I couldn’t contain my excitement over this wonderful trailer! Everything and everyone looks superb and I’m even starting to warm up a bit to Billie Piper and Blake Ritson (still need to see it as I’m still not 100% convinced that they look right for the role). I absolutely love how Rupert Penry-Jones, Felicity Jones, JJ Feild, and the entire cast of “Northanger Abbey” look. I’m still not sure about Sally Hawkins either - she seems rather ‘mousy’ and I was hoping Anne Eliott would be blooming towards the end of the story, and yet she still looks rather dowdy and spinster-like to me on that “reconciliation” scene.
Either way, I’ll be watching this trailer over and over and over - studying each frame - and obsessing, as you all say. You lucky UK folks will be able to see it in a few weeks! How exciting! Those of us in the US have to depend on your kindness by sharing your thoughts with us (and maybe a clip or two to tied us over), as we wait until November for our chance to see it for ourselves!
February 25th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Long time reader, first time poster. I must say, everything in this trailer looks fantastic. Even Billie Piper, who I had reservations about, is starting to look more at home in period costume. She’s far too conventionally pretty for Fanny Price, but her acting is endearing me to the performance. Northanger Abbey has always been my least favorite JA novel, but this adaptation looks very promising. It’s got to be better than the bizarre 1986 version, right? (Peter Firth’s dishy Henry Tilney notwithstanding). Far and away the one I’m looking forward to the most is Persuasion, and after seeing the clips in this trailer, I’m on countdown mode. The prelude to a kiss scene is so, so fabulous…I think after the emotional buildup of the whole series I will probably be smiling and sobbing at that scene.
On a related note, I guess I haven’t been paying enough attention to casting…while I’ve just started to get used to Billie, I’m now going to have to repress my recognition of “Zoe from Eastenders” and think “Maria Bertram” instead (and I’m American and don’t even watch that show!). I guess if Daniela Denby-Ashe can do it…
February 26th, 2007 at 2:41 am
Sqqqqqqquuuueeeee! I am very much the fan girl about RP-J portraying the delectable Captain Wentworth, especially after seeing this. With absolutely no word of when this may reach Australia, I will definitely purchasing the DVDs once they are released in the UK.
February 26th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Oh no! I wish I hadn’t watched the trailer now…these look great and I have to wait until November to see them. I don’t think I can wait that long:( Rupert Penry-Jones looks so good. *sigh* Blake Ritson looks adorable as Edmund. Those big brown eyes are lovely:) Very nice. Billie Piper has grown on me and I’m willing to give her a chance, though I could do with less of her bosom…
Can’t believe how long we have to wait for Masterpiece Theatre to show these…I wonder if there is any hope it will be released on DVD in the US before then…not likely, I know, but I’m an optimist…sometimes!
February 26th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
Yes, I’ll have to bite the bullet and purchase the region 2 dvds when they come out in March/April. I don’t think I can wait until November (that’s 8 more months……ugh!!!). Thank goodness for that multi-region dvd player, or else I’ll go bonkers just thinking about how lucky the UK folks are to be seeing it firsthand.
I have to say that NA2 is probably the one I am really looking forward to. I liked NA1 eventhough it has some weird bits and I do like the book. The casting is just so perfect, and I love the way JJ Feild and Felicity Jones look. I just think overall this adaptation looks spot on.
P2 would be a very, very close second since it is my 2nd favorite JA book next to P&P, and RP-J just looks so dashing. Sally Hawkins is the one I have reservations on. Anne Eliott is one of my favorite literary heroines and I was somewhat disappointed with Amanda Root’s casting in P1 (looks too old for the role). I really hope Sally does justice to Anne Eliott.
MP3 would be third, though I’m very curious about how Billie Piper and Blake Ritson will pull off their roles (just please let it be an improvement over MP2!!). I have to say I really do love Blake Ritson’s smile, and that hand-touching brought out the warm fuzzies..!
February 27th, 2007 at 6:11 am
Amanda Root is in P2. Ann Firbank (she of the prom beehive and the green plaid dress) is in P1.
February 27th, 2007 at 8:17 am
Daphne Slater and Paul Daneman starred in the mini-series of Persuasion on BBC in 1960. Does anyone else remember it? This was the version that got me hooked on JA in the first place.
February 27th, 2007 at 8:26 am
See, this is why I stick with the years now instead of using the silly numbering system. A lot of people are unaware of the existence of previous adaptations and I for one am tired of explaining it. P71, P95, P07, oh heck, P60. Simple and incapable of misunderstanding, as long as one remembers the years that is.
March 5th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Its the wonderful Tobias Menzies I’m looking forward to seeing as William Elliot. I lost my heart to him watching season 2 of Rome so I’m afraid Rupert Penry Jones wont be my focus of attention when watching the production.