The
English Wife
screenplay
by David Reid
A Hartswood Films production.
First broadcast on ITV 1, 4th August 1996.
Director: Simon Shore
Producer: Beryl Vertue
Cinematography: Gavin Finney
Production Designer: Alison Riva
Costume Designer: Inez Nordell
Music: Daemion Barry
Running time: approx. 90 mins
|
|
Cast
(in
alphabetical order) |
Georges Berdot.....Labourer
Stanislas Carré de Malberg.....Alain
Michel Chaume.....Bernard
Dani Claveri-Lucas.....Teacher
Hélène Dujeudin.....Madame de Castell
Jean-Claude Falet.....Michael
Jean Grécault.....Knifegrinder
Didier Jeaunaud.....Foreman
Jamie O'Brien.....Bertrand
Geraldine O'Rawe.....Elena
Isabelle Petit-Jacques.....Madame Vardot
John Rowe.....Revenue Inspector
Jean-Louis Tribes.....Mr Griveau
Zoë Wanamaker.....Caroline Griveau |
Production |
| Elena, an
unassuming English nanny, is employed by the ambiguous Griveaus
to look after their autistic son, Bertrand. The wealthy
parents then send Elena and the child away to live an isolated
existence in the Dordogne. A disturbing drama. |
Notes |
| 'On the surface,
they [Caroline and her husband] are a couple with a very
glamorous lifestyle,' remarked Zoe, shortly before The English
Wife was broadcast, 'but all sorts of dodgy things are going on
underneath. People are after them for money, and they
can't cope with their son. It would have been easy to play
them as cut-out villains but there's more to them than
that. I actually felt a lot of sympathy for my
character.' The programme also gave Zoe the chance to work
in France, a country she 'love[s]'. |
|
|
Back to top |