8.2 /10 1 Votes
Genre Costume drama Directed by Pedr James First episode date 7 November 1994 Number of seasons 1 Networks BBC One, BBC Two | 8.2/10 IMDb Screenplay by David Lodge Theme music composer Geoffrey Burgon Final episode date 12 December 1994 Number of episodes 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Based on Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens Starring Paul Scofield
Ben Walden
John Mills
Tom Wilkinson
Pete Postlethwaite
Philip Franks
Joan Sims
Nicholas Smith
Sam Kelly
Elizabeth Spriggs
Julia Sawalha Cast Julia Sawalha, Tom Wilkinson, Paul Scofield, Keith Allen, Emma Chambers Similar Faith in the Future, Second Thoughts, Our Mutual Friend, Takin' Over the Asylum, Press Gang | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Martin Chuzzlewit is a 1994 TV serial produced by the BBC, based on the novel by Charles Dickens, with a screenplay by David Lodge and directed by Pedr James. The music was composed by Geoffrey Burgon.
Contents
BBC2 originally broadcast the 85 minute for 1 episode and the further of 60 minutes for final 5 episodes from 7 November to 12 December 1994.
Plot summary
Elderly, weathily Martin Chuzzlewit is constantly hounded by his money-grubbing relations, a fact that depresses and embitters him. He adopts an orphan young woman, Mary Graham, whom he wants as a companion in his old age; she will be paid an annual allowance but will not benefit from his death. However, Martin disowns his grandson, also called Martin, after he falls in love with Mary. Young Martin decides to pursue as a career as an architect, studying with hypocritical, dishonest architect Seth Pecksniff who lives with his two daughters Charity and Mercy and good, kind-hearted apprentice Tom Pinch, whom he is exploiting as a servant. Martin forms a close friendship with Tom, but after he discovers Pecksniff's true character he leaves for America, in the company of Mark Tapley (ostler of the local inn), to seek his fortune.
Pecksniff, who is a cousin of the Chuzzlewits, insinuates himself into Old Martin's company, taking him in as a guest hoping for a generous legacy on the event of Martin's death. He also makes sexual advances towards Mary; she, who has also formed a special friendship with Tom, tells him of this and he, shocked, leaves the Pecksniff household for London, setting up home with his sister Ruth. Jonas Chuzzlewit, son of old Martin's estranged brother Anthony, marries Mercy Pecksniff (despite being twice her age and having previously shown more interest in Charity), mistreats her, but also finds himself drawn into a fraudulent insurance scheme masterminded by Tigg Montague, and concocts a murderous plot in order to extricate himself from this. Meanwhile, Mr Chuffey, Anthony's senile clerk, goes into shock in the event of Anthony's sudden death and sleazy private nurse Sarah Gamp is hired to care for him.