Favorite Miniseries Set in 19th Century Britain
Below is a list of my favorite movies and television miniseries set in Britain of the 19th century (1801-1900):
FAVORITE MINISERIES SET IN 19TH CENTURY BRITAIN
1. "North and South" (2004) - Sandy Welch wrote this superb and emotional adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's 1855 novel about the well-born daughter of a former English clergyman, who is forced to move north to an industrial city after her father leaves the Church of England and experiences culture shock, labor conflict and love. Daniela Danby-Ashe and Richard Armitage made a sizzling screen team as the two leads.
2. "Pride and Prejudice" (1995) - Even after twenty-four years, this adaptation of Jane Austen's novel, which stars Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehrle, remains my all time favorite Austen adaptation, thanks to Andrew Davies' excellent screenplay and the cast's performances. I cannot describe it as anything else other than magic.
3. "The Buccaneers" (1995) - Maggie Wadey wrote this excellent adaptation of Edith Wharton's last novel about four American young women who marry into the British aristocracy is also another big favorite of mine. I especially enjoyed the performances of Carla Gugino, Cherie Lughi, James Frain and Greg Wise.
4. "Emma" (2009) - Sandy Welch struck gold again in her superb adaptation of Jane Austen's 1815 novel about a genteel young woman with an arrogant penchant for matchmaking. Directed by Jim O'Hanlon, Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller starred in this fabulous production.
5. "Far From the Madding Crowd" - Nicholas Renton directed this excellent and underappreciated adaptation of Thomas Hardy's 1874 novel about a young woman torn between three men who want to marry her. Adapted by Philomena McDonagh, the miniseries starred Paloma Baeza, Nathaniel Parker, Jonathan Firth and Nigel Terry.
6. "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" (1996) - Tara Fitzgerald, Toby Stephens and Rupert Graves are fabulous in this excellent adaptation of Anne Brontë's 1848 novel about a woman attempting to evade an abusive and alcoholic husband. Mike Barker directed this three-part miniseries.
7. "Wives and Daughters" (1999) - Andrew Davies wrote this excellent adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's 1865 unfinished novel about the coming-of-age of a country doctor's daughter. Justine Waddell and Keeley Hawes starred in this four-part miniseries.
8. "Jane Eyre" (1983) - Alexander Baron wrote this excellent adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's 1847 novel about a destitute, but strong-willed governess who falls in love with her mysterious employer. Zelah Clarke and Timothy Dalton made a superb screen team in my favorite adaptation of the novel.
9. "Middlemarch" (1994) - Andrew Davies adapted this superb adaptation of George Eliot's 1871 novel about the lives of the inhabitants of an English town during the cusp of the Industrial Revolution. The superb cast includes Juliet Aubrey, Douglas Hodge, Robert Hardy and Rufus Sewell.
10. "Jack the Ripper" (1988) - This two-part miniseries chronicled the investigations of Scotland Yard inspector Fredrick Abberline of the infamous "Jack the Ripper" murders of the late 1880s. Excellent production and performances by Michael Caine, Lewis Collins, Jane Seymour and the supporting cast.
Honorable Mention: "Bleak House" (2005) - Once again, Andrew Davies struck gold with his excellent adaptation of Charles Dickens' 1852-53 novel about the pitfalls of the 19th British legal system and a family mystery. Anna Maxwell-Martin, Gillian Anderson, Denis Lawson and Charles Dance led a cast filled with excellent performances.