A Rather English Marriage (1998) (TV)

Director:

Paul Seed

Writers:

Andrew Davies
Angela Lambert (novel)

Release Date:

3 October 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A squadron leader and a retired milkman decide to bury their differences and move in together after they are both widowed on the very same night...

Plot Keywords:

Odd Couple | Milkman | Unlikely Friendship | Friendship | Retiree

Awards:

8 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Albert Finney	...	Reggie Conyngham-Jervis
Tom Courtenay	...	Roy Southgate
Joanna Lumley	...	Liz Franks
John Light	...	Young Reggie
Joanna Scanlan	...	Sister
Priyanga Burford	...	Dr. Swann (as Priyanga Elan)
Ursula Howells	...	Mary
Katie Carr	...	Young Mary
Aileen O'Gorman	...	Grace
Iain Jones	...	Young Roy
Caroline Carver	...	Young Grace
Rebecca Clarke	...	Nurse
Laura Heath	...	Felicity
Rosamund Pike	...	Celia
Lucy Robinson	...	Susan
Jeremy Clyde	...	Vivian
Matthew Lloyd Davies	...	Chaggers
Orlando Wells	...	Dogleg
Richard Syms	...	Vicar
Adjoa Andoh	...	Mandy Hulme
Sean Murray	...	Alan
Shaughan Seymour	...	Solicitor
Kenneth MacDonald	...	Barman
Georgina Hale	...	Sabrina's Maid
Emily Morgan	...	Sabrina
John Rowe	...	Prison Governor
Dominic Rowan	...	Bank Manager
Jeillo Edwards	...	Sister
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jason Canning	...	Restaurant Manager (uncredited)

Directed by
Paul Seed

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Andrew Davies
Angela Lambert		novel

Produced by
Alex Graham	....	executive producer
Paul Sarony	....	line producer
David M. Thompson	....	executive producer
Jo Willett	....	producer

Original Music by
Jim Parker

Cinematography by
Gavin Finney

Film Editing by
Dave King

Casting by
Janey Fothergill

Production Design by
Michael Pickwoad

Art Direction by
Henry Harris

Costume Design by
Frances Tempest

Makeup Department
Deborah Jarvis	....	assistant makeup artist
Deborah Jarvis	....	hair stylist
Dorka Nieradzik	....	makeup designer

Production Management
Rebecca Christiansen	....	production manager
Claire Tovey	....	unit manager
Maria Walker	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Fiona Gosden	....	third assistant director
Cordelia Hardy	....	first assistant director
Adrian Toynton	....	second assistant director

Art Department
David Fyson	....	production buyer
Austin Harris	....	assistant art director
Kate Lloyd-Spencer	....	assistant art director
Mike Malik	....	property master
Nick Thomas	....	stand-by prop (uncredited)

Sound Department
Jim Greenhorn	....	sound mixer
Colin Martin	....	dubbing mixer
Steve Mayer	....	boom operator
Richard Skelton	....	dubbing editor

Camera and Electrical Department
Andy Curling	....	electrician
Simon Finney	....	focus puller
Martin Healey	....	best boy
Andy Long	....	gaffer
Rod Marley	....	clapper loader (as Roderick Marley)
Micky Reeves	....	electrician (as Mick Reeves)
John Robinson	....	camera grip
Alf Tramontin	....	Steadicam operator (as Alf Tremontin)
Gary Parnham	....	additional electrician (uncredited)
Mark Tillie	....	still photographer (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Shirley Nevin	....	wardrobe mistress
Gerald Moulin	....	costume assistant (uncredited)

Music Department
Gerry O'Riordan	....	music recording engineer (uncredited)

Other crew
Kim Armitage	....	continuity
Mark Beaumont	....	production accountant
Laragh Cresswell	....	production team
Victoria Fea	....	script editor
Barney Hughes	....	production team
Ben Kingsland	....	production team
Ian Murray	....	head of department rigger
Adam Richards	....	location manager
Glynn Turner	....	production team
Julia Walsh	....	script editor
Sarah-Jane Wilson	....	assistant accountant (as Sarah Wilson)

Production Companies

• Wall to Wall Television

Distributors

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
• E1 Entertainment (2009) (USA) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Sapex Scripts  post-production script services

Also Known As:

Runtime:

USA:104 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, UK

Company:

Wall to Wall Television

Quotes:

Reggie Conyngham-Jervis:What did you tell her? What did you say to her?
Roy Southgate:Your nephew would have told her if I hadn't. She would have had to find out sooner or later. Only fair she should know. I mean, it's true, isn't it, about the house and that.
Reggie Conyngham-Jervis:Of course it's bloody well true, you bloody idiot, but you didn't have to spill the beans! She's gone now. Left me. Thanks to you, gone abroad. My last chance at happiness!
Roy Southgate:Perhaps you're better off without her. I mean, she was only after you because she thought you were rich.
[...]

Movie Connections:

References The Dresser (1983)

A Uniquely English Classic

A modern television classic set in the Eighties, A Rather English Marriage tells the story of two recently widowed men; a brash World War Two squadron leader (Albert Finney) and a retired milkman (Tom Courtenay) who form an unlikely alliance as they come to terms with their bereavements.

The two men miss their wives for totally different reasons, Roy Southgate (Courtenay) is a loyal, devoted husband who spends hours with his wife when visiting her at hospital. Reggie Conyngham-Jervis (Finney) is a philanderer who relies on his wife mainly for her cooking and cleaning skills and sees his hospital visits as time that could be better spent in the pub.

When a social worker sees that each man could be the solution to the other's problems, these two characters (complete opposites plagued by personal problems they try to keep hidden) who were hospital waiting room acquaintances are now brought together full time.

This is the sort of charming, well-written television drama that nobody seems to want to make anymore, the two leads forming an even more effective partnership than they did in The Dresser fifteen years earlier where Finney stole the show.

Courtenay is superbly understated, Finney is more powerful and boisterous and probably the more versatile actor. Their contrasting styles complement each other perfectly.

Although this is mainly a double-act, Joanna Lumley also excels as the gold-digger who has her eye on Reggie's wallet.

However this drama belongs equally to Finney and Courtenay. The final scene with these two grand old men of film and theatre dancing to Glenn Miller's 'Moonlight Serenade' will surely prove to be one of the most lasting and endearing moments in British television.