The Mayor of Casterbridge

Miniseries

1978 · 7 episodes · 5h 50m in all

Michael Henchard, an out-of-work hay-trusser, gets drunk at a fair and, for five guineas, sells his wife and child to a sailor. When the horror of his act finally sets in, Henchard swears he will not touch alcohol for twenty-one years. Through hard work and acumen, he becomes rich, respected, and eventually the mayor of Casterbridge. But eighteen years after his fateful oath, his wife and daughter return to Casterbridge, and his fortunes steadily decline.

Episodes

1. 

   1. Part One

   22 Jan 1978 · 50 min

   Michael Henchard sells his wife and child to a sailor at a country fair, while drunk. Over 21 years, he prospers and becomes mayor of the town. Then his wife and daughter return.

2. 

   2. Part Two

   29 Jan 1978 · 50 min

   Henchard is now Mayor of Casterbridge. When his wife returns, eighteen years after he sold her, he decides they must remarry.

3. 

   3. Part Three

   5 Feb 1978 · 50 min

   The jealous Henchard has sacked Donald Farfrae and forbidden him to see Elizabeth-Jane. When his wife Susan dies it is just the start of his troubles.

4. 

   4. Part Four

   12 Feb 1978 · 50 min

   Elizabeth-Jane is now working for Lucetta, who, having been the subject of Henchard's attentions, is now interested in Farfrae. The furious Henchard plans to ruin his rival...

5. 

   5. Part Five

   19 Feb 1978 · 50 min

   Henchard's secret is out. Denounced as a wife-seller and with his business in trouble his discovery that Lucetta has married Farfrae completes his humiliation.

6. 

   6. Part Six

   26 Feb 1978 · 50 min

   Farfrae becomes Mayor of Casterbridge. Lucetta, afraid that Henchard will expose her, asks him to return her love letters.

7. 

   7. Part Seven

   5 Mar 1978 · 50 min

   Lucetta has died, the victim of an evil trick. Henchard's conciliation with Elizabeth is short-lived: when her father comes to claim her Henchard pretends she is dead.