History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, The

1 9 9 7 (UK)
1 x 90 minute episode
4 x 60 minute episodes

Henry Fielding’s fallen hero bed-hops his way out of a good home and almost into a hangman’s noose, via a series of misadventures and misunderstandings in this five-part ribald and rowdy romp through the mansions and taverns of Georgian England from the BBC.

Abandoned at birth, Tom Jones (Max Beesley in his first major acting role) is adopted by kindly Squire Allworthy (Benjamin Whitrow).

He grows up and falls in love with Sophia Western (Samantha Morton), the daughter of his neighbour, Squire Western (Brian Blessed).

Unfortunately, she is already betrothed to his scheming arch-rival Blifil (James D’Arcy), and Tom is forced to leave home to seek his fortune in the outside world.

Instead, he gets caught up in a Jacobite rebellion, while Sophia attempts to escape the threat of marriage to Mr Blifil.

Tom hotly pursues her on the road to London, and both face perils along the way, encountering a lecherous puppeteer (Alexei Sayle), scheming Harriet Fitzpatrick (Michelle Fairley) and voracious Lady Bellaston (Lindsay Duncan) before being reunited.

While Tom falls into fashionable company, Sophia becomes the object of the unwarranted affections of Lord Fellamar (Peter Capaldi). Her father’s arrival saves her, but Bilfil continues to pursue her hand in marriage.

Ultimately, Tom is faced with a sinful lowness of fortune, and all is eventually resolved in a torrent of uncovered truths and happy endings.

The star-studded cast included Frances de la Tour, June Whitfield, Richard O’Callaghan, Kathy Burke, Sylvester McCoy, Roger Lloyd Pack, Norman Lovett, and John Sessions.

Location filming took place at Belton House and Stragglethorpe Hall in Lincolnshire, the medieval Castle Lodge in Ludlow (Shropshire) and in Dorset.

Tom Jones
Max Beesley
Sophia Western
Samantha Morton
Blifil
James D’Arcy
Squire Allworthy
Benjamin Whitrow
Squire Western
Brian Blessed
Aunt Western
Frances de la Tour
Benjamin Partridge
Ron Cook
Mr Square
Christopher Fulford
Reverend Thwackum
Richard Ridings
Mrs Harriet Fitzpatrick
Michelle Fairley
Mr Fitzpatrick
Richard O’Callaghan
Lady Bellaston
Lindsay Duncan
Lord Fellamar
Peter Capaldi
Parson Supple
Brian Pettifer
Honour
Kathy Burke
Mr Dowling
Sylvester McCoy
Jenny Jones
Camille Coduri
Mrs Miller
Celia Imrie
Nancy Miller
Kelly Reilly
Jack Nightingale
Matt Bardock
Mrs Wilkins
Sara Kestelman
Bridget Allworthy
Tessa Peake-Jones
George Seagrim
Brian Hibbard
Puppeteer
Alexei Sayle
Puppeteer’s Assistant
Neil Dudgeon
Abigail
Doreene Blackstock
Anderson
Roger Lloyd Pack
Mr Follett
Norman Lovett
Mrs Follett
Candida Rundle
Young Tom
Stuart Neal
Young Sophia
Laura Harling
Young Blifil
Caleb Lloyd
Henry Fielding
John Sessions