The Mayor of Casterbridge (1978)

"The Dennis Potter adaptation of Thomas Hardy's classic tale"

5.7 (3 votes)

1 Season

January 22, 1978

English

Drama

Synopsis

The Mayor of Casterbridge is a 1978 BBC seven-part serial based on the eponymous 1886 book by the British novelist Thomas Hardy. The six-hour drama was written by dramatist Dennis Potter and directed by David Giles, with Alan Bates as the title character. Michael Henchard, an out-of-work hay-trusser, gets drunk at a fair and, for five guineas, sells his wife and child to a sailor. When the horror of his act finally sets in, Henchard swears he will not touch alcohol for twenty-one years. Through hard work and acumen, he becomes rich, respected, and eventually the mayor of Casterbridge. But eighteen years after his fateful oath, his wife and daughter return to Casterbridge, and his fortunes steadily decline.

Network

BBC Two

Episodes

Part One

Jan 22, 1978

50 min

Michael Henchard sells his wife and child to a sailor at a country fair, while drunk. Over 21 years, he prospers and becomes mayor of the town. Then his wife and daughter return.

Part Two

Jan 29, 1978

50 min

Henchard is now Mayor of Casterbridge. When his wife returns, eighteen years after he sold her, he decides they must remarry.

Part Three

Feb 5, 1978

50 min

The jealous Henchard has sacked Donald Farfrae and forbidden him to see Elizabeth-Jane. When his wife Susan dies it is just the start of his troubles.

Part Four

Feb 12, 1978

50 min

Elizabeth-Jane is now working for Lucetta, who, having been the subject of Henchard's attentions, is now interested in Farfrae. The furious Henchard plans to ruin his rival...

Part Five

Feb 19, 1978

50 min

Henchard's secret is out. Denounced as a wife-seller and with his business in trouble his discovery that Lucetta has married Farfrae completes his humiliation.

Part Six

Feb 26, 1978

50 min

Farfrae becomes Mayor of Casterbridge. Lucetta, afraid that Henchard will expose her, asks him to return her love letters.

Part Seven

Mar 5, 1978

50 min

Lucetta has died, the victim of an evil trick. Henchard's conciliation with Elizabeth is short-lived: when her father comes to claim her Henchard pretends she is dead.