Northanger Abbey (1986 film)


Northanger Abbey is a 1986 made-for-television film adaptation of Jane Austen's 1817 novel Northanger Abbey, and was originally broadcast on the A&E Network and the BBC in 1987.

Plot

The film is set in the late 18th century, when Jane Austen wrote the novel although it was published after her death in 1817. Northanger Abbey is the story of a young woman, Catherine Morland, who is invited to Bath, Somerset, with family friends, the Allens; they hope that the waters at Bath will help Mr. Allen's gout. Catherine is a 17-year-old young lady whom has been quite sheltered all her life, escaping only by reading Gothic novels, and so is delighted to go to Bath. Mrs. Allen introduces Catherine to the Thorpe family, including an older girl, Isabella, who befriends Catherine. The girls have bonded over their love of similar novels when their brothers arrive. James falls in love with Isabella, who is a hardened flirt. Likewise, John pusues Catherine, who does not like John nearly as much as John likes himself.
Catherine is falling in love with a quirky 26-year-old clergyman, Henry Tilney, whom she met at a dance. She befriends Henry's sister, Eleanor, and goes on many outings with the two of them, after their brother Frederick Tilney comes to Bath. Isabella, having learned that James is poor, begins to flirt with Frederick and ultimately ends her engagement with James. Eleanor invites Catherine to stay with her at the Tilneys' home, Northanger Abbey.
Catherine accepts the invitation with pleasure, although she imagines that the Abbey will be rather like one of the gloomy castles in her books. Catherine is at first welcomed by General Tilney, who has been bragged to by John Thorpe that Catherine is an heiress. When the General realizes that Catherine is not rich, however, he sends her packing. Once back at home, Catherine is unhappy, missing Henry and disillusioned about her precious Gothic novels. Henry appears and proposes, however, and the story ends happily.

Cast