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

User Rating:

8.6/10   

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

15 December 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Darwinism | Aristocrat | Brother Brother Relationship | Estate | Loss Of Mother

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)
Emily McKenzie	...	Maria (4 episodes, 1999)
Barbara Leigh-Hunt	...	Lady Cumnor (3 episodes, 1999)
Ian Carmichael	...	Lord Cumnor (3 episodes, 1999)
Rosamund Pike	...	Lady Harriet Cumnor (3 episodes, 1999)
Elizabeth Spriggs	...	Mrs. Goodenough (3 episodes, 1999)
Tonia Chauvet	...	Aimée (3 episodes, 1999)
Richard Coyle	...	Mr. Coxe (2 episodes, 1999)
Shaughan Seymour	...	Lord Hollingford (2 episodes, 1999)
Penelope Wilton	...	Mrs. Hamley (2 episodes, 1999)
Georgie Glen	...	Miss Hornblower (2 episodes, 1999)
Ben Illis	...	Mr Wynne (2 episodes, 1999)
Fred Pearson	...	Mr Sheepshanks (2 episodes, 1999)
Dariel Pertwee	...	Lady Cuxhaven (2 episodes, 1999)
Jacqueline Pilton	...	Mrs. Dawes (2 episodes, 1999)
Jemima Rooper	...	Lizzie Goodenough (2 episodes, 1999)
Tim Wallers	...	Mr. Henderson (2 episodes, 1999)

Runtime:

301 min (4 parts)

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

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

Filming Locations:

Charlestown, Cornwall, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The tan striped gown with teal scallop trim at the hem worn by a guest at the Easter Ball is the same costume worn by Greta Scacchi (Mrs. Weston) in the final scene of Emma (1996), and by Emma Pierson (Fanny Dorrit) to visit Mrs. Merdles in "Little Dorrit" (2008).

Quotes:

Lord Cumnor: How much is twice eighteen? Thirty?
Lady Cumnor: Thirty six.
Lord Cumnor: Ah! So, Molly Gibson is to marry Mr Preston.
Lady Cumnor: Is she indeed?
Lady Harriet Cumnor: Are you sure you've got it right Papa?

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!