"The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling" (1997) TV mini-series

User Rating:

8.2/10   

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

5 April 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

A new adaptation of the classic novel by Henry Fielding of the life, loves and adventures of the charming rascal Tom Jones...

Plot Keywords:

Love | 18th Century | Historical Fiction | Male Female Relationship | English

Awards:

4 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

John Sessions	...	Henry Fielding (5 episodes, 1997)
Benjamin Whitrow	...	Squire Allworthy (5 episodes, 1997)
Ron Cook	...	Benjamin Partridge (5 episodes, 1997)
Christopher Fulford	...	Mr. Square (5 episodes, 1997)
Richard Ridings	...	Reverend Thwackum (5 episodes, 1997)
Brian Blessed	...	Squire Western (5 episodes, 1997)
Frances de la Tour	...	Aunt Western (5 episodes, 1997)
Max Beesley	...	Tom Jones / ... (5 episodes, 1997)
James D'Arcy	...	Blifil (5 episodes, 1997)
Samantha Morton	...	Sophia Western / ... (5 episodes, 1997)
Brian Pettifer	...	Parson Supple (5 episodes, 1997)
Kathy Burke	...	Honour (5 episodes, 1997)
Sylvester McCoy	...	Mr. Dowling (4 episodes, 1997)
Michelle Fairley	...	Mrs. Fitzpatrick (4 episodes, 1997)
Camille Coduri	...	Jenny Jones (3 episodes, 1997)
Celia Imrie	...	Mrs. Miller (3 episodes, 1997)
Matt Bardock	...	Jack Nightingale (3 episodes, 1997)
Kelly Reilly	...	Nancy Miller (3 episodes, 1997)
Lindsay Duncan	...	Lady Bellaston (3 episodes, 1997)
Peter Capaldi	...	Lord Fellamar (3 episodes, 1997)

(more)

Series Directed by
Metin Hüseyin		(4 episodes, 1997)

Series Writing credits
Simon Burke		(4 episodes, 1997)
Henry Fielding		(4 episodes, 1997)

Series Produced by
Suzan Harrison	....	producer (4 episodes, 1997)

Series Original Music by
Jim Parker		(1 episode, 1997)

Series Cinematography by
Cinders Forshaw		(1 episode, 1997)

Series Film Editing by
Paul Tothill		(1 episode, 1997)
Annie Kocur		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Angela Grosvenor		(1 episode, 1997)

Series Production Design by
Roger Cann		(1 episode, 1997)

Series Art Direction by
Sarah Jane Cornish		(1 episode, 1997)
John Hill		(1 episode, 1997)

Series Costume Design by
Rosalind Ebbutt		(1 episode, 1997)

Series Makeup Department
Kay Bilk	....	makeup artist (1 episode, 1997)
Sally Collins	....	makeup artist (1 episode, 1997)
Carmel Jackson	....	makeup artist (1 episode, 1997)
Jean Speak	....	hair stylist / makeup designer (1 episode, 1997)

Series Production Management
Richard Burrell	....	production manager (1 episode, 1997)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Lee Trevor	....	third assistant director / first assistant director: second unit / ... (5 episodes, 1997)

Series Art Department
Graham Bishop	....	prop buyer (1 episode, 1997)
Madelaine Leech	....	assistant art director (1 episode, 1997)
Dan Frye	....	property maker (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Dennis Cartwright	....	sound recordist (1 episode, 1997)
Paul Hamblin	....	dubbing mixer (1 episode, 1997)
Graham Headicar	....	dubbing editor (1 episode, 1997)
Catherine Hodgson	....	dubbing editor (1 episode, 1997)
Kate Morath	....	boom operator (1 episode, 1997)
William Towers	....	boom operator (1 episode, 1997)
Jake Knott	....	boom operator (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Clive Curtis	....	stunt and fight arranger (1 episode, 1997)
Rowley Irlam	....	stunt double (unknown episodes)
Chrissy Monk	....	stunts (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Richard Brierley	....	focus puller (1 episode, 1997)
Matt Crowder	....	electrician (1 episode, 1997)
Brock Denis	....	gaffer (1 episode, 1997)
Paul Harris	....	electrician (1 episode, 1997)
Stefan Lissner	....	electrician (1 episode, 1997)
Kenny Redford	....	electrician (1 episode, 1997)
Paul Shirley	....	electrician (1 episode, 1997)
Tom Shirley	....	electrician (1 episode, 1997)
Jan Turner	....	electrician (1 episode, 1997)

Series Animation Department
Brian Larkin	....	animator (1 episode, 1997)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Giles Gale	....	wardrobe master (1 episode, 1997)
Amanda Keable	....	assistant costume designer (1 episode, 1997)
Marie Rose	....	wardrobe assistant (1 episode, 1997)

Series Music Department
Mark Tucker	....	music score recording engineer (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Sam Breckman	....	location manager (1 episode, 1997)
Naomi Burman	....	assistant production accountant (1 episode, 1997)
Fiona Carding	....	production secretary (1 episode, 1997)
Freya Carter	....	runner (1 episode, 1997)
Helen Crawley	....	script editor (1 episode, 1997)
Sarah Fisher	....	production accountant (1 episode, 1997)
Jane Gibson	....	etiquette consultant (1 episode, 1997)
Lisa Gravelle	....	location manager (1 episode, 1997)
Richard Green	....	assistant production accountant (1 episode, 1997)
Jane Harris	....	runner (1 episode, 1997)
Howard Kingston	....	production executive (1 episode, 1997)
Tanya Latif	....	production coordinator (1 episode, 1997)
Duncan Muggoch	....	location manager (1 episode, 1997)
Anne Pivcevic	....	script editor (1 episode, 1997)
Maggie Stevens	....	script supervisor (1 episode, 1997)
Jenny Uglow	....	historical consultant (1 episode, 1997)
Joan Washington	....	dialogue coach (1 episode, 1997)
Peter White	....	horse master (1 episode, 1997)
Wayne Docksey	....	animal master (unknown episodes)
Nina Hobson	....	runner (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• A&E Television Networks
• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Distributors

• A&E Television Networks

Other Companies

• Diverse Design  titles
• Micheal Samuelson Lighting  lighting equipment

Runtime:

UK:95 min (5 episodes) | USA:120 min (3 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:PG | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Belton House, Belton, Lincolnshire, England, UK

Company:

A&E Television Networks

Movie Connections:

Version of The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones (1976)

Soundtrack:

Phyllis, Talk No More of Passion

Engaging, well-done fare

We had the video box set since it first came out -- it was sealed and in our video drawer until this month (December, 2002), when I sold the videos and bought the DVD box set.

I can't believe we waited this long to watch it! Max Beasley is wonderful (and yes, a real Ewan MacGregor look-a-like) as is Samantha Morton and the rest of the cast.

The Oscar-winning 1963 version seems dated and over-the-top compared to the A&E production. Bawdy, racy, all the things Fielding's novel was criticized for, that all remains. It's surprisingly funny and sweet and very, very enjoyable!