"The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling" (1997) TV mini-series

User Rating:

8.2/10   

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

5 April 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

A new adaptation of the classic novel by Henry Fielding of the life, loves and adventures of the charming rascal Tom Jones...

Plot Keywords:

Love | TV Mini-Series | 1700s | Male Female Relationship | Historical Fiction

Awards:

4 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

John Sessions	...	Henry Fielding (5 episodes, 1997)
Benjamin Whitrow	...	Squire Allworthy (5 episodes, 1997)
Ron Cook	...	Benjamin Partridge (5 episodes, 1997)
Christopher Fulford	...	Mr. Square (5 episodes, 1997)
Richard Ridings	...	Reverend Thwackum (5 episodes, 1997)
Brian Blessed	...	Squire Western (5 episodes, 1997)
Frances de la Tour	...	Aunt Western (5 episodes, 1997)
Max Beesley	...	Tom Jones / ... (5 episodes, 1997)
James D'Arcy	...	Blifil (5 episodes, 1997)
Samantha Morton	...	Sophia Western / ... (5 episodes, 1997)
Brian Pettifer	...	Parson Supple (5 episodes, 1997)
Kathy Burke	...	Honour (5 episodes, 1997)
Sylvester McCoy	...	Mr. Dowling (4 episodes, 1997)
Michelle Fairley	...	Mrs. Fitzpatrick (4 episodes, 1997)
Camille Coduri	...	Jenny Jones (3 episodes, 1997)
Celia Imrie	...	Mrs. Miller (3 episodes, 1997)
Matt Bardock	...	Jack Nightingale (3 episodes, 1997)
Kelly Reilly	...	Nancy Miller (3 episodes, 1997)
Lindsay Duncan	...	Lady Bellaston (3 episodes, 1997)
Peter Capaldi	...	Lord Fellamar (3 episodes, 1997)

(more)

Series Directed by
Metin Hüseyin		(4 episodes, 1997)

Series Writing credits
Simon Burke		(4 episodes, 1997)
Henry Fielding		(4 episodes, 1997)

Series Produced by
Suzan Harrison	....	producer (4 episodes, 1997)

Series Original Music by
Jim Parker		(1 episode, 1997)

Series Cinematography by
Cinders Forshaw		(1 episode, 1997)

Series Film Editing by
Paul Tothill		(1 episode, 1997)
Annie Kocur		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Angela Grosvenor		(1 episode, 1997)

Series Production Design by
Roger Cann		(1 episode, 1997)

Series Art Direction by
Sarah Jane Cornish		(1 episode, 1997)
John Hill		(1 episode, 1997)

Series Costume Design by
Rosalind Ebbutt		(1 episode, 1997)

Series Makeup Department
Kay Bilk	....	makeup artist (1 episode, 1997)
Sally Collins	....	makeup artist (1 episode, 1997)
Carmel Jackson	....	makeup artist (1 episode, 1997)
Jean Speak	....	hair stylist / makeup designer (1 episode, 1997)

Series Production Management
Richard Burrell	....	production manager (1 episode, 1997)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Lee Trevor	....	third assistant director / first assistant director: second unit / ... (5 episodes, 1997)

Series Art Department
Graham Bishop	....	prop buyer (1 episode, 1997)
Madelaine Leech	....	assistant art director (1 episode, 1997)
Dan Frye	....	property maker (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Dennis Cartwright	....	sound recordist (1 episode, 1997)
Paul Hamblin	....	dubbing mixer (1 episode, 1997)
Graham Headicar	....	dubbing editor (1 episode, 1997)
Catherine Hodgson	....	dubbing editor (1 episode, 1997)
Kate Morath	....	boom operator (1 episode, 1997)
William Towers	....	boom operator (1 episode, 1997)
Jake Knott	....	boom operator (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Clive Curtis	....	stunt and fight arranger (1 episode, 1997)
Rowley Irlam	....	stunt double (unknown episodes)
Chrissy Monk	....	stunts (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Richard Brierley	....	focus puller (1 episode, 1997)
Matt Crowder	....	electrician (1 episode, 1997)
Brock Denis	....	gaffer (1 episode, 1997)
Paul Harris	....	electrician (1 episode, 1997)
Stefan Lissner	....	electrician (1 episode, 1997)
Kenny Redford	....	electrician (1 episode, 1997)
Paul Shirley	....	electrician (1 episode, 1997)
Tom Shirley	....	electrician (1 episode, 1997)
Jan Turner	....	electrician (1 episode, 1997)

Series Animation Department
Brian Larkin	....	animator (1 episode, 1997)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Giles Gale	....	wardrobe master (1 episode, 1997)
Amanda Keable	....	assistant costume designer (1 episode, 1997)
Marie Rose	....	wardrobe assistant (1 episode, 1997)

Series Music Department
Mark Tucker	....	music score recording engineer (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Sam Breckman	....	location manager (1 episode, 1997)
Naomi Burman	....	assistant production accountant (1 episode, 1997)
Fiona Carding	....	production secretary (1 episode, 1997)
Freya Carter	....	runner (1 episode, 1997)
Helen Crawley	....	script editor (1 episode, 1997)
Sarah Fisher	....	production accountant (1 episode, 1997)
Jane Gibson	....	etiquette consultant (1 episode, 1997)
Lisa Gravelle	....	location manager (1 episode, 1997)
Richard Green	....	assistant production accountant (1 episode, 1997)
Jane Harris	....	runner (1 episode, 1997)
Howard Kingston	....	production executive (1 episode, 1997)
Tanya Latif	....	production coordinator (1 episode, 1997)
Duncan Muggoch	....	location manager (1 episode, 1997)
Anne Pivcevic	....	script editor (1 episode, 1997)
Maggie Stevens	....	script supervisor (1 episode, 1997)
Jenny Uglow	....	historical consultant (1 episode, 1997)
Joan Washington	....	dialogue coach (1 episode, 1997)
Peter White	....	horse master (1 episode, 1997)
Wayne Docksey	....	animal master (unknown episodes)
Nina Hobson	....	runner (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• A&E Television Networks
• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Distributors

• A&E Television Networks

Other Companies

• Diverse Design  titles
• Micheal Samuelson Lighting  lighting equipment

Runtime:

UK:95 min (5 episodes) | USA:120 min (3 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:PG | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Belton House, Belton, Lincolnshire, England, UK

Company:

A&E Television Networks

Movie Connections:

Version of Tom Jones (1996) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Phyllis, Talk No More of Passion

Absolutely Delightful!!!

This mini-series produced by the BBC and A & E has got to be one of the finest things television has given us. It ranks with I Claudius and Elizabeth R as great dramatic art. Full of wit, great storytelling, and wonderful acting, this version of Henry Fielding's classic tale gives the Albert Finney movie from the 60's a run for it's money and emerges triumphant.

Firstly, the adaptation is masterful. Having Fielding himself narrate the story (delightfully played by John Sessions) was a stroke of genius. It has the advantage of presenting this boistrous tale in much more detail than the previous movie. Fielding's characters are so rich (much like Dickens) that

you don't mind spending alot of the time with them. Characters like Allworthy, Partridge, Thwackum and Square are comparative non-entities in the Tony Richardson movie. Here they emerge as sharp etched portraits that give the story so much more substance. In addition, the 1963 movie had to leave out large chunks of the story to tell it in under three hours. Additionally, Richardson's screenwriter John Osborne changed many details of the story to account for cutting out so many characters. Simon Burke and his collaboators on this project stick to Fielding with great results.

The direction by Metin Hüseyin is simply wonderful. He tells us the story and relishes every moment. The mini-series is cast with a splendid ensemble of actors. The great Brian Blessed has a field day with the boorish Squire Western. Frances de la Tour as his prune faced sister doesn't erase memories of Dame Edith Evans from the movie version, but she is very convincing nonetheless. James D'Arcy's Mr. Blifil is a brilliant, consistant job of careful, understated, contrived villainy. And Lindsy Duncan is a revelation as the evil Lady Balleston. Joan Greenwood is not nearly slimey enough in the movie version. Duncan manages to outdo Glenn Closes's sensual depravity in Dangerous Liaisons.

Max Beesley doesn't mug his way through the role like Albert Finney did. He plays Tom as more of the Candide-like innocent and is all the more attractive and sympathetic because of it. Samantha Morton's Sophia is simply unbelievable. She has a wide emotional range throughout the story and plays each moment to near perfection. She also exudes more capricious youthfulness than did Susannah York in the movie. The large supporting cast is excellent; not a weak performance among them.

I must also mention the delightful musical score by Jim Parker that adds to the movie's entertaining virtues.

Yes, the Tony Richardson won't Best Picture at the Oscars. But frankly, it's looking very dated these days. To be sure, it has it's wonderful moments, but it is far superceded by the newer effort.

So thank God for the BBC and A & E who continue to bring us classics like this in versions far more lucid than Hollywood could muster. Don't be swayed by Julie on the title page. This is a clear winner!