HARD TIMES 1977

UK / ITV Network – Granada / 4×60 minute episodes / Broadcast 25 October – 15 November 1977

Writer: Arthur Hopcraft / Novel: Charles Dickens / Producer: Peter Eckersley / Director: John Irvin / Music: Malcom Arnold / Camera: Ray Goode

Period drama serial Hard Times was based on the novel by Dickens. In the 1850′s the Northern Gradgrind family are ruled with a rod of iron by the patriarch Thomas but his children prove problematic for him thanks to his daughters ill starred marriage and his sons financial problems.

This slickly put together 4 part production was an emphatic hit for Granada studios and features a towering central performance from the legendary Patrick Allen.

cast

JACQUELINE TONG as Louisa Gradgrind

PATRICK ALLEN as Thomas Gradgrind

TIMOTHY WEST as Bounderby

EDWARD FOX

ALAN DOBIE as Stephen

URSULA HOWELLS as Mrs Gradgrind

BARBARA EWING as Rachel

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