"Fanny Hill" (2007) TV series

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

James Hawes

Writers:

Andrew Davies (screenplay)
John Cleland (novel)

Release Date:

22 October 2007 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Orphaned by smallpox, young Lancashire country lady Fanny Hill cheerfully accepts her friend Esther...

Plot Keywords:

Underwear | Female Nudity | Prostitution | Male Nudity | Kissing

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Hugo Speer	...	Mr. H
Rebecca Night	...	Fanny Hill
Emma Stansfield	...	Esther Davies
Tony Guilfoyle	...	Old Clergyman
Alison Steadman	...	Mrs. Brown
Louisa Clein	...	Susan
Joanna Miller	...	Emma
Carli Norris	...	Phoebe
Philip Jackson	...	Mr. Crofts
Alex Robertson	...	Charles Standing
Ruth Sheen	...	Mrs Jones
Samantha Bond	...	Mrs. Coles
Richard Riddell	...	William
Kayleigh Folcarelli	...	Florence
Claire Murphy	...	Louisa

Runtime:

60 min (2 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Netherlands:16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Sally Head Productions

Trivia:

Although the word "fanny" is nowadays widely used as British slang for the female genitals, and has been since the 19th century, this connotation was unknown at the time when John Cleland wrote his novel. Consequently, lines such as Mrs Coles's "Be gentle with my little Fanny, sir" would not have been seen as double-entendres.

Quotes:

[Mr Norbert, a terminally-ill punter, is making love to Fanny but he dies, lying on top of her, at the moment of climax]
Fanny Hill: [voiceover] It had all been too much for Mr Norbert. It was a strange and eerie sensation to be lying there with the dart of a dead man lodged inside of me, but nonetheless I was proud to have played my part in enabling him to die a happy man. Whether his soul went to heaven or hell, I leave for others to determine.

A thoroughly entertaining romp

This adaptation of John Clelland's 18th century novel was broadcast on BBC4 recently. Telling the story of an innocent northern country girl who travels to London to seek her fortune it certainly gallops along at an entertaining pace. Along the way, Fanny falls into the clutches of brothel keeper Mrs. Brown, finds her true love, finishes up in the gutter and finally....well, you'll have to watch it yourself to find out! The cast ranges from beautiful to grotesques, all play their parts with gusto and the tongue in cheek script provides enough material for all of them to shine. Everyone looks as if they are enjoying themselves. Made with the BBC's usual high production values and eye for historical accuracy, it's naughty, it's bawdy and an enjoyable, lighthearted piece of entertainment. I'm sure that this will eventually find its way onto BBC 2, it certainly deserves a wider audience - so keep an eye out for it and enjoy!