MASTERPIECE THEATRE: MIDDLEMARCH {EPISODE 3} (TV)
Summary
One in this ongoing series of dramas presented under the umbrella of "Masterpiece Theatre." This program presents part three of a six-part adaptation of George Eliot's "Middlemarch," a Victorian novel of idealism, passion, love, disappointment, folly, and hope. First, Russell Baker introduces the presentation. This part begins with Peter Featherstone on his deathbed, ordering Mary Garth to burn one of his two wills. However, she refuses, which leads to the bulk of Featherstone's estate going to his illegitimate son Joshua Rigg while Fred Vincy receives nothing. Meanwhile, Arthur Brooke reveals that he has written to Ladislaw, inviting him to Middlemarch and offering him a job with the newspaper. The Vincys fret about their daughter Rosamond's engagement to Dr. Lydgate, wanting to put an end to it. Nevertheless, the wedding takes place and Lydgage buys a fancy home in town to please her. At the same time, despite Casaubon's objections, Ladislaw takes the job with Brooke's newspaper and begins spending more time with Dorothea. One night, Dorothea tells Casaubon her idea for using her wealth to benefit Ladislaw, to allow him to take on his "true" place in society. As usual, though, Casaubon is vexed with his wife's discussion of Ladislaw, eventually ordering his cousin to never visit with them again. Meanwhile, Lydgate and Rosamond head to the countryside to visit Sir Godwin, Captain Lydgate, and other members of Lydgate's family. There, Godwin criticizes Lydgate's choice to work in Middlemarch, thinking it would be more befitting for a gentleman to live and work in a "respectable" city. At the same time, Chettam criticizes Arthur Brooke's cruel landlord ways, inspiring Dorothea to pay a visit to her uncle. She feels he should change his habits, which would aid his impending political career, then appoint Caleb Garth to a position of power in implementing her cottage designs. Soon, Rosamond's high class lifestyle is "ruining" Lydgate, who is already facing money troubles. Meanwhile, Camden Farebrother tells the Garths that Fred -- still in great shame over his debt -- continues longing for a life with Mary. Caleb states that the family's fortunes should increase, thanks to the new position that Chettam arranged for him. One day, Casaubon asks Lydgate to visit, and questions the doctor on how much longer he'll live. The next day, Dorothea goes to Lydgate, discussing how she feels that Casaubon's health is greatly deteriorating. She also decides to donate some money to the hospital. Meanwhile, Rosamond begins wishing that Lydgate hadn't become a medical man, not thinking it to be a "nice" profession. The next day, Casaubon asks that Dorothea begin helping with his scholarly research. That night, Casaubon makes a request of Dorothea -- that, in the event of his death, Dorothea will carry out his as-yet-undisclosed wishes. Dorothea is unable to immediately give Casaubon an answer, and, by morning, Casaubon is dead. Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: April 24, 1994 Sunday 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:56:51
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:76925
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Literature - Adaptations
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1971-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Rebecca Eaton … Executive Producer
- Michael Wearing … Executive Producer
- Louis Marks … Producer
- Alison Gee … Associate Producer
- Anthony Page … Director
- Andrew Davies … Writer
- George Eliot … Based on the novel by
- Stanley Myers … Music by
- Christopher Gunning … Music by
- Russell Baker … Host
- Rachel Power … Cast, Mary Garth
- Michael Hordern … Cast, Peter Featherstone
- Freda Dowie … Cast, Mrs. Waule
- Tony Rohr … Cast, Solomon Featherstone
- Gabrielle Lloyd … Cast, Mrs. Garth
- Clive Russell … Cast, Caleb Garth
- Jacqueline Tong … Cast, Mrs. Vincy
- Trevyn McDowell … Cast, Rosamond Vincy
- Jonathan Firth … Cast, Fred Vincy
- Douglas Hodge … Cast, Dr. Lydgate
- Stephen Moore … Cast, Mayor Vincy
- Elizabeth Spriggs … Cast, Mrs. Cadwallader
- Caroline Harker … Cast, Celia Brooke
- Julian Wardham … Cast, Sir James Chettam
- Robert Hardy … Cast, Arthur Brooke
- Juliet Aubrey … Cast, Dorothea Brooke
- Patrick Malahide … Cast, Rev. Edward Casaubon
- Rufus Sewell … Cast, Will Ladislaw
- Ronald Hines … Cast, Mr. Standish
- Jonathan Hackett … Cast, Joshua Rigg
- Ginnette Clark … Cast, Nancy Nash
- Edward Harbour … Cast, Mr. Crabstone
- Simon Chandler … Cast, Rev. Camden Farebrother
- Pam Ferris … Cast, Mrs. Dollop
- Patricia Healey … Cast, Mrs. Flett
- Rosemary Martin … Cast, Mrs. Bulstrode
- Patti Love … Cast, Mrs. Plymdale
- Peter Jeffrey … Cast, Nicholas Bulstrode
- Colum Convey … Cast, Mr. Hawley
- Roger Milner … Cast, Pratt
- Geoffrey Wilkinson … Cast, Jenkins
- Geoffrey Toone … Cast, Sir Godwin Lydgate
- Jeremy Sinden … Cast, Captain Lydgate
- Mary Hanefey … Cast, Lady Chettam
- Fanny Carby … Cast, Mrs. Kell
- Andrew Tiernan … Cast, Dagley
- Jane Hollowood … Cast, Mrs. Dagley
- Nathan Valente … Cast, Alfred Garth
- Sophie Jeffery … Cast, Letty Garth
- Ben Jeffery … Cast, Ben Garth
- Emily Woof … Cast, Lydgate's Maid
- Susan Porrett … Cast, Tantripp