"The Mayor of Casterbridge" (1978) TV mini-series

User Rating:

8.9/10   

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

3 September 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

In a drunken and disheartened state, Michael Henchard sells his wife at a fair. When he becomes sober again he realises what he has done...

Plot Keywords:

TV Mini-Series | Based On Novel

Cast

Alan Bates	...	Michael Henchard (7 episodes, 1978)
Janet Maw	...	Elizabeth Jane Henchard (7 episodes, 1978)
Jack Galloway	...	Donald Farfrae (7 episodes, 1978)
Anna Massey	...	Lucetta Farfrae / ... (4 episodes, 1978)
Peter Bourke	...	Abel Whittle (4 episodes, 1978)
Ronald Lacey	...	Jopp (4 episodes, 1978)
Jeffrey Holland	...	Carter (4 episodes, 1978)
Gilly Brown	...	Lucetta's Maid (4 episodes, 1978)
Alan Rowe	...	Mr. Joyce (4 episodes, 1978)
Clifford Parrish	...	Longways (4 episodes, 1978)
Richard Owens	...	Newson (3 episodes, 1978)
Douglas Milvain	...	Concy (3 episodes, 1978)

(more)

Series Directed by
David Giles		(7 episodes, 1978)

Series Writing credits
Thomas Hardy		(7 episodes, 1978)
Dennis Potter		(7 episodes, 1978)

Series Produced by
Jonathan Powell	....	producer (7 episodes, 1978)

Series Original Music by
Carl Davis		(7 episodes, 1978)

Series Production Design by
Peter Kindred		(6 episodes, 1978)

Series Costume Design by
Christine Rawlins		(2 episodes, 1978)

Series Makeup Department
Elizabeth Rowell	....	makeup artist (2 episodes, 1978)

Series Sound Department
Robin Luxford	....	sound (2 episodes, 1978)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Hubert Cartwright	....	lighting technician (1 episode, 1978)

Series Other crew
Betty Willingale	....	script editor (3 episodes, 1978)

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Runtime:

50 min (7 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Corfe Castle, Dorset, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Movie Connections:

Version of Daag: A Poem of Love (1973)

Smashing, stupendous, sensational

10 is not a high enough rating for this masterpiece. Even as we see the gorgeous and extremely talented Alan Bates as the mayor, making mistake after mistake, acting like a fool, struggling with his conscience, and sometimes making things right only to screw up again, we are moved by him. We have pity for a man who cannot get out of his own way, who is his own worst enemy.

The acting is superb, the scenery/sets beautiful and fitting of the time and place. Often meanings are conveyed through looks, expressions, and not an excess of words. The score by Carl Davis is appropriate and adds to the feel of the series, enhancing the whole thing.

What luck that this is on DVD, complete with biographies on Sir Alan Bates and Thomas Hardy, among other things. Don't miss this gem.