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The Mayor of Casterbridge

Actor(s): Ciar�n Hinds, James Purefoy, Jodhi May, Juliet Aubrey, Polly Walker
Director(s): David Thacker
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Movie Details

Movie Release: 2001
DVD Release: 09/30/2003
Format: DVD
Edition: Television
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 3 hrs 20 mins
Studio: A&E Home Video
Members Wishing: 2
Genres: Drama, Period Film

DVD Synopsis

Produced for the BBC in 2001, The Mayor of Casterbridge is the second British miniseries version of Thomas Hardy's 1886 novel (the first was filmed in 1978). This time, Ciar�n Hinds stars as Michael Henchard, an unemployed drunkard who, in a moment of greedy delirium, sells his wife, Susan (Juliet Aubrey), and their infant daughter, Elizabeth Jane, to a passing sailor -- for a price of five pounds. Sobering up the next day, Henchard conducts a frenzied search for his family, only to find that they have already gone. Swearing off liquor, Henchard promises to re-invent himself as a solid and dependable citizen. He succeeds so thoroughly in this endeavor that, 18 years later, he has risen to the rank of mayor of Casterbridge. About to make his reformation complete by wedding attractive young Lucetta (Polly Walker), Henchard is aghast to discover that his wife and now-grown daughter (played as an adult by Jodhi May), have returned home. Hounded by his conscience, Henchard bends over backward to make amends to his loved ones -- only to revert to his old, disreputable self when things go terribly wrong. Meanwhile, a new intrigue has blossomed vis-�-vis a romantic triangle involving Elizabeth Jane, Lucetta, and handsome, righteous Donald Farfrae (James Purefoy). The Mayor of Casterbridge made its U.S. debut August 17, 2003, on the A&E cable channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Actors

Ciar�n Hinds - Michael Henchard
James Purefoy - Donald Farfrae
Jodhi May - Elizabeth Jane
Juliet Aubrey - Susan Henchard
Polly Walker - Lucetta

Editorial Review of DVD

Ciar�n Hinds stars as the tormented Michael Henchard in The Mayor of Casterbridge, an adaptation of Thomas Hardy's classic work of literature. Originally broadcast in the U.S. in 2003, this three-hour production gets released on DVD from A&E Home Video. Presented with a standard full-frame transfer and a Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo soundtrack in English. Closed captions are accessible. The only special features are a biography and bibliography for author Thomas Hardy. This is a fairly decent DVD release of a made-for-TV literary adaptation. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

Member Movie Reviews

Jeannine W. (jrelehw) from LONDONDERRY, NH wrote on 8/15/2009...

James Purefoy is delicious in this movie! Its Twisty and passionate (for the times) and its funny that these actors from ROME knew each other and worked together before! I Love stuff like that!

S A A. (Learned2Heal) wrote on 12/25/2008...

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

This is an absolutely amazing movie! One of the best I've ever seen. Ciaran Hinds and Jodhi May are two of the most spell-binding actors I've ever come across. The rest of the cast is awesome too. What a touching, aggravating, thoroughly human drama this is. I had to order the book from PBS right away. Very pleased to see that the movie stayed very close to the original script.

The sets in this movie pull you into the mood and time of the place completely. The music is perfect, the storyline divine in every way. This is a movie I have watched 3 times already, in less than a month and will be watching it again soon. You never even notice the almost 3.5 hours going by. And when it's over, you're left wanting more - a sequel, another chapter, anything!

This is a must-see movie!

Kendra M. (KendraM) from NASHVILLE, TN wrote on 3/6/2008...

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

I've only recently started watching all the British mini-series I've missed over the years. The best one I've seen (and we see quite a few!)-- the best MOVIE I've ever seen-- is The Mayor of Casterbridge.

Ciaran Hinds IS Michael Henchard. He's absolutely amazing and, despite his sad and deeply flawed character, he keeps our empathy. That is a very difficult task, too, since he creates some horrible situations for himself and for others. Yet, he's human and is trying to do what he deems best, though what he deems best at the time is so very very wrong.

His performance kept me riveted throughout the film and kept me thinking about the movie for a long while afterwards, as well.

Every performance in this was outstanding. The cinematography was gorgeous and the music was haunting. I looked for the sheet music to this theme afterwards, but couldn't find it. I'll keep looking.

What a wonderful film. You will absolutely not be disappointed. Definitely one of the most beautiful,touching and bittersweet movies I've ever seen.