Our Mutual Friend (1976 TV serial)
1976 British TV series or programme
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Our Mutual Friend is a 1976 British television serial adapted from Charles Dickens' 1865 novel Our Mutual Friend.[1][2] The series was made by the BBC and ran during 1976 for a total of seven episodes.[3] It was directed by Peter Hammond.[4]
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| Our Mutual Friend | |
|---|---|
Opening title | |
| Genre | Historical drama |
| Based on | |
| Written by | Julia Jones Donald Churchill |
| Directed by | Peter Hammond |
| Starring | Jane Seymour Leo McKern Jack Wild |
| Composer | Carl Davis |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 7 |
| Production | |
| Producer | Martin Lisemore |
| Running time | 50 min. |
| Production company | BBC |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC Two |
| Release | 1 March – 12 April 1976 |
The adaptation was by Julia Jones and Donald Churchill, who had written the ITV sitcom Moody and Pegg (1974–75).[5] Their version excludes some minor characters in order to convey the action within the limitations of a seven-episode structure, but was praised by British reviewers for faithfully reproducing the mood and atmosphere of the original novel.[2]
Cast and characters
| Actor/Actress | Role |
|---|---|
| John McEnery | John Rokesmith |
| Jane Seymour | Miss Bella Wilfer |
| Nicholas Jones | Eugene Wrayburn |
| John Collin | 'Rogue' Riderhood |
| Leo McKern | Nicodemus Boffin |
| Lesley Dunlop | Lizzie Hexam |
| Andrew Ray | Mortimer Lightwood |
| Kathleen Harrison | Mrs. Henrietta Boffin |
| Ray Mort | Reginald Wilfer |
| Polly James | Jenny Wren |
| Warren Clarke | Bradley Headstone |
| David Troughton | Sloppy |
| Patricia Lawrence | Mrs. Wilfer |
| Edmond Bennett | Mr. Dolls |
| Richard Stilgoe | Mr. Boots |
| John Savident | Mr Podsnap |
| Jack Wild | Charley Hexam |
| Alfie Bass | Silas Wegg |
| Ronald Lacey | Mr Venus |
Theme music
The theme music was composed by Carl Davis.[6]
Critical reception
The stage-style filming of the serial was criticised, but a number of performances were singled out for praise, including those of Polly James as Jenny Wren and Jack Wild as Charley Hexam.[7]
