The Mayor of Casterbridge
The Dennis Potter adaptation of Thomas Hardy's classic tale
Overview
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, Elizabeth-Jane, return to Casterbridge, and his fortunes steadily decline.
Key Crew
Producer: Jonathan Powell
Writer: Thomas Hardy
Top Cast
Seasons
Season 1 (1978)
No overview available.
7 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Part One
1978-01-22Michael Henchard sells his wife to a sailor at a country fair, while drunk. As the years pass, he prospers and becomes mayor of the town. Then his wife and daughter come to live in the town....
Runtime: 50 minEpisode 2: Part Two
1978-01-29Henchard is now Mayor of Casterbridge. When his wife returns, eighteen years after he sold her, he decides they must remarry.
Runtime: 50 minEpisode 3: Part Three
1978-02-05The 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.
Runtime: 50 minEpisode 4: Part Four
1978-02-12Elizabeth-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...
Runtime: 50 minEpisode 5: Part Five
1978-02-19Henchard'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.
Runtime: 50 minEpisode 6: Part Six
1978-02-26Farfrae becomes Mayor of Casterbridge. Lucetta, afraid that Henchard will expose her, asks him to return her love letters.
Runtime: 50 minEpisode 7: Part Seven
1978-03-05Lucetta 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.
Runtime: 50 min
