"Wives and Daughters" (1999) TV mini-series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

15 December 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Britain | Loss Of Son | Loss Of Mother | Brother Brother Relationship | Country Life

Awards:

8 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Justine Waddell	...	Molly Gibson (4 episodes, 1999)
Bill Paterson	...	Mr. Gibson (4 episodes, 1999)
Francesca Annis	...	Hyacinth Gibson (4 episodes, 1999)
Keeley Hawes	...	Cynthia Kirkpatrick (4 episodes, 1999)
Tom Hollander	...	Osborne Hamley (4 episodes, 1999)
Anthony Howell	...	Roger Hamley (4 episodes, 1999)
Michael Gambon	...	Squire Hamley (4 episodes, 1999)
Barbara Flynn	...	Miss Browning (4 episodes, 1999)
Deborah Findlay	...	Miss Phoebe (4 episodes, 1999)
Iain Glen	...	Mr. Preston (4 episodes, 1999)
Peter Copley	...	Robinson (4 episodes, 1999)
Barbara Leigh-Hunt	...	Lady Cumnor (4 episodes, 1999)
Ian Carmichael	...	Lord Cumnor (4 episodes, 1999)
Rosamund Pike	...	Lady Harriet Cumnor / ... (4 episodes, 1999)
Emily McKenzie	...	Maria (4 episodes, 1999)
Elizabeth Spriggs	...	Mrs. Goodenough (3 episodes, 1999)
Tonia Chauvet	...	Aimée (3 episodes, 1999)
Shaughan Seymour	...	Lord Hollingford (3 episodes, 1999)
Georgie Glen	...	Miss Hornblower (3 episodes, 1999)
Roddy Maude-Roxby	...	St. Hilaire (3 episodes, 1999)
Fred Pearson	...	Mr Sheepshanks / ... (3 episodes, 1999)
Jacqueline Pilton	...	Mrs. Dawes (3 episodes, 1999)
Jemima Rooper	...	Lizzie Goodenough (3 episodes, 1999)
Richard Coyle	...	Mr. Coxe (2 episodes, 1999)
Penelope Wilton	...	Mrs. Hamley (2 episodes, 1999)
Matthew Lloyd Davies	...	Mr. Roscoe (2 episodes, 1999)
Keylee Jade Flanders	...	Fanny Goodenough (2 episodes, 1999)
Gordon Gostelow	...	Williams (2 episodes, 1999)
Dilys Hamlett	...	The Duchess (2 episodes, 1999)
Ben Illis	...	Mr Wynne (2 episodes, 1999)
Dariel Pertwee	...	Lady Cuxhaven (2 episodes, 1999)
Charles Simon	...	Old Silas (2 episodes, 1999)
Tim Wallers	...	Mr. Henderson (2 episodes, 1999)
Steven Webb	...	William Goodenough (2 episodes, 1999)

Runtime:

301 min (4 parts)

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:PG | UK:U | USA:TV-PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Charlestown, Cornwall, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The blue striped dress with long sleeves worn by a guest at the Towers in the opening scene is the same costume worn by Gwyneth Paltrow (Emma Woodhouse) at Hartfield in Emma (1996), and by Mali Harries (Ann Rood) for her wedding in Byron (2003) (TV). The same costume is also worn by one of the maids at Chawton Cottage in Miss Austen Regrets (2008) (TV).

Quotes:

Molly Gibson: I don't think you should mention it to Lady Cumnor, Mama.
Claire Gibson: Molly dear, I know you mean well but don't let one walk into town with Lady Harriet go to your head. I think I'm well capable to decide what I should or shouldn't say to Lady Cumnor.

Soundtrack:

Bonny Breast Knot

Superb! - Buy the DVD and wallow in this marvellous production!

The BBC is well known for its high quality costume dramas and this is one of the best in recent years. Elizabeth Gaskell is not an author that I was familiar with except for her usually being known as 'Mrs. Gaskell', which immediately makes her work offer the prospect of being a bit staid. Well not a bit of it! This production is intelligent, witty and thoroughly charming throughout. When it was shown as a serial, I couldn't wait for the next episode! Every member of the cast is exceptional, but special praise for Justine Waddell and Francesca Annis. I defy anybody not to become thoroughly involved in the story of Molly and her family/friends. Elizabeth Gaskell never finished the novel, sadly dying before its completion, but I feel certain that she would have wholeheartedly approved of the BBC's ending which is absolutely heartwarming! Even if you dislike period drama, I urge you to give this one a try, I know that my DVD copy will be getting a lot of use in the coming years - many thanks BBC!