The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders (1996) (TV)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

David Attwood

Writers:

Andrew Davies (writer)
Daniel Defoe (novel)

Release Date:

13 October 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

A legendary master of disguise.

Plot Keywords:

Prostitution | Incest | Society | Adultery | Based On Novel

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

James Bowers	...	Gaoler
Alex Kingston	...	Moll Flanders
Nicola Kingston	...	Moll's Mother
Geoffrey Beevers	...	Judge
Lucy Evans	...	Little Moll
Anthony Bessick	...	Gypsy
Struan Rodger	...	Mr. Richardson
Chrissie Cotterill	...	Mrs. Fairley
Peter Jonfield	...	Parish Officer
Neville Phillips	...	Magistrate
Maureen O'Brien	...	Mrs. Richardson
Ian Driver	...	Robin
Caroline Harker	...	Maria
Dawn McDaniel	...	Emily
Ken McDonald	...	Mr. Baggot

Also Known As:

Moll Flanders (UK) (short title)

Runtime:

54 min (4 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | Finland:K-3 | UK:18 | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Astley Hall, Chorley, Lancashire, England, UK

Company:

Granada Television

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When this mini-series first aired on British TV, in the final episode, Moll is led to what she believes is her death. The cart in which she travels passes behind a large blue van, clearly visible in the foreground.

Movie Connections:

Version of The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders (1965)

An outline of the story of Moll Flanders, an excellent film.

This is a delightful tale of an orphan born in Newgate prison where her mother was waiting to be hanged. This film is NOT to be confused with the disappointing film, "Moll Flanders", also released in 1996. Gypsies take the infant, Moll, to a small town where she is raised by a wealthy family with two sons. One is her first love, but he passes her to his brother who marries her. After he dies, she marries a businessman, who leaves her when his fortune is depleted. Moll then marries a ship's captain, who takes her to his prosperous Virginia plantation. She learns a shocking family secret so she returns to England alone to begin a new life. She meets and marries again, but this time her true love, Jemmy, is not what he appears. He has no fortune and makes a living as a highwayman. They part and she marries again. When the next husband dies, she is left a pauper. In desperation she becomes a thief. She is imprisoned in the place of her birth, awaiting the a sentence to be carried out. Moll is a survivor. Will she cheat the hangman? I enjoyed this film very much because of its refreshing blend of drama and humor.