The Onedin Line (1971–1980)

James Onedin marries Anne Webster in order to get his hands on a ship. However the marriage turns out to be one of true love. James is ruthless in his attempt to get a shipping line started... See full summary »

Creator:

Cyril Abraham

Stars:

Peter Gilmore, Jessica Benton, Howard Lang

4 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Peter Gilmore	...	James Onedin (91 episodes, 1971-1980)
Jessica Benton	...	Elizabeth Frazer (91 episodes, 1971-1980)
Howard Lang	...	Captain Baines (91 episodes, 1971-1980)
Mary Webster	...	Sarah Onedin (50 episodes, 1971-1979)
Brian Rawlinson	...	Robert Onedin (41 episodes, 1971-1978)

Storyline

James Onedin marries Anne Webster in order to get his hands on a ship. However the marriage turns out to be one of true love. James is ruthless in his attempt to get a shipping line started in Liverpool of the 1860s.

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Plot Keywords:

liverpool | ship | shipping | shipping line | ocean | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 October 1971 (UK)

Also Known As:

Az Onedin család

Filming Locations:

Bayard's Cove, Dartmouth, Devon, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min 50 min (91 episodes)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The show was praised for its locations and use of genuine historical vessels. Along with day-to-day drama, romance, and business dealings, the series also tackled social and economic issues of the time, such as slavery.

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Connections

Referenced in The Cult of...: The Onedin Line (2008)

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Soundtracks

Opening music from Khachaturian: Spartacus-Suite

User Reviews

Pitch perfect script & acting make this ageing serial a true joy

I watched the series in the 70s,...Sunday evenings around the TV with my Mum an Dad and my sister. I enjoyed it then. Now I am watching the whole thing all over again in the afternoons. Its not just a bit of nostalgia, its absolutely marvellous. Production values may seem low at first compared to today's blockbuster serials, but the sharply drawn characters are brought to riveting life by a first class cast (special mentions to Peter Gilmore, Jessica Benton and Anne Stallybrass as James, Elizabeth and Anne Onedin respectively). Proof (as if it were needed) that script and cast can overcome any weaknesses or paucity of cash elsewhere in a production. One noticeable aspect is how fully rounded the women characters are, how equal in every way to the male characters. That this is immediately apparent is a sad reflection on the way women's roles have retreated in the last decade or so. Maybe 70s feminism had something to do with it. But these women are not all about shoe shopping and chocolate! As an adult I really see the nuances of the story telling, and the richness of characterisation, historical context etc, Fantastic.