The Mayor of Casterbridge (2003)

At a country fair, young hay-trusser Michael Henchard quarrels with his wife Susan, and in a drunken fit decides to auction off his wife and baby to a sailor for five guineas. The next day,... See full summary »

Director:

David Thacker

Writers:

Thomas Hardy (novel), Ted Whitehead (screenplay)

Stars:

Ciarán Hinds, Juliet Aubrey, Jodhi May

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ciarán Hinds	...	Michael Henchard (as Ciaran Hinds)
Juliet Aubrey	...	Susan Henchard
Jodhi May	...	Elizabeth Jane
James Purefoy	...	Donald Farfrae
Polly Walker	...	Lucetta Templeman
Darren Hawkes	...	Auctioneer
Jean Marsh	...	Furmity Woman
Michael Beint	...	Coachman
Clive Russell	...	Newson
John Surman	...	Tent Auctioneer
Susan Jane Tanner	...	Staylaces Dealer
Tony Haygarth	...	Solomon Longways
David Bradley	...	Councillor Vatt
Richard Moore	...	Councillor Chalkfield
Elliot Head	...	Waiter

Storyline

At a country fair, young hay-trusser Michael Henchard quarrels with his wife Susan, and in a drunken fit decides to auction off his wife and baby to a sailor for five guineas. The next day, realizing his loss, he swears not to touch liquor again for as many years as he has lived so far. Eighteen years later, Henchard has become Mayor of Casterbridge, a man well respected but not well liked. The unexpected return of his wife and daughter Elizabeth Jane sets off a turn of events that force him to face the consequences of his selfish impulses and violent temper.

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Plot Keywords:

victorian england | victorian era | 1800s | 19th century | based on novel | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 August 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Burmistrz Casterbridge

Filming Locations:

Askerswell, Dorset, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

A&E Television Networks,Pearson Television International,Sally Head Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

196 min (2 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of The Mayor of Casterbridge (1978)

User Reviews

Brilliant presentation of complex character in the M.o.Casterbridge

Fifty years ago my teachers strongly recommended to read the "Mayor of Casterbridge" by Thomas Hardy for a study of English. Somehow I never "found the time", though in the meantime I saw the film, read the novel and loved the story of "Far from the madding crowd" by the same author. Having at last watched the two-part DVD-version of Michael Henchard's fate I seem to have won a new part of the world for my horizon ! Ciaran Hinds with all his power represents the rise and fall of a complex character whom you must love, pity and despair of, all in the same moment. Such characters do exist, Thomas Hardy knows how to describe them, and the actor seems to have learned every word about them by heart. Luckily his four main partners stand up bravely against this standard. The wonderful picturesque town of "Casterbridge" and the carefully chosen landscape give adequate room to unfold the figures. Strangely enough the fact that this is a tragedy adds to its reality. After watching the film twice I seem to have found in its hero a very valuable new acquaintance. So my teachers were right after all...