Anglo-Saxon Attitudes

Brace yourself for brutal satire that goes right for the jugular of social and academic hypocrisy. Richard Johnson (The Camomile Lawn) stars as Gerald Middleton, a retired historian who attempts to come to grips with the realization that his entire career and life have been a sham. Furthermore, Gerald's misery is compounded by his dysfunctional family life. This darkly comic satire, based on Angus Wilson's novel and written for the screen by Andrew Davies teems with outlandish characters engaged in all manner of deceit, especially the most damaging of all-self-deception. Features Douglas Hodge (Mansfield Park), Elizabeth Spriggs (Sense and Sensibility), Daniel Craig (Casino Royale) and Kate Winslet (Titanic) in one of her first screen roles. Recommended for mature viewers.

Episode 1 - At age 60, disillusioned with academia and estranged from his family, retired historian Gerald Middleton looks back on the summer of 1912. Then, as a young man, he witnessed the discovery of a phallic idol in the excavated grave of a medieval bishop and fell in love with Dollie, his best friend's fiancée.

Episode 2 - Over Gerald's objections, Inge Middleton invites the conniving Larrie to stay with her at the family estate-not knowing that Larrie and her favorite son, John, are secretly lovers. Meanwhile, trying to uncover the truth about the Melpham idol, Gerald visits Professor Portway's widow, Lilian, in France.

Episode 3 - With an angry confrontation between Robin and his brother-in-law and emotional entrances by Elvira and Larrie, a soiree thrown by Marie Helene ends in disaster for all three of the Middleton children. Gerald reconnects with Dollie after years of separation and finally learns the unambiguous truth about the Melpham idol.

Written by Andrew Davies
Directed by Diarmuid Lawrence
Produced by Andrew Brown
Executive Produced by John Hambley, Paul Sparrow
Cinematography by Clive Tickner
Film Editing by Don Fairservice