Anglo Saxon Attitudes

Anglo Saxon Attitudes

1992 - United Kingdom

Gerald Middleton is a wealthy and cultured professor of medieval history who, at sixty, feels both an academic and emotional failure. His broken marriage to the monstrous Inge has produced three children from whom he is estranged. Dollie, his best friend's wife with whom he had a long and passionate love affair, has disappeared from his life in a cloud of recrimination and alcohol. And Gilbert Stokesay, the best friend, long dead in the trenches of the Great War, continues to haunt and threaten his self-esteem as an historian - all because of the Melpham Idol, a pagan phallic figure found in the coffin of a disinterred Bishop. It is the most important archaeological find of the century, a discovery that changes the course of scholarship and sets the academic world in turmoil. But is it a hoax? And if so who was responsible? And why? 

From Angus Wilson's remarkable post-war novel, Anglo Saxon Attitudes has a typically rich and interwoven cast of Wilson characters. It is a satire, a tragedy, a black comedy of manners and a deadly accurate examination of the loves, lusts and foibles of a middle-class family bent on self-destruction. Made into a three-part television mini-series in 1992 by Thames Television subsidiary Euston Films. The screenplay was written by Andrew Davies and featured Richard Johnson in the role of Gerald Middleton. Tara Fitzgerald played a supporting role as the young Dollie, and there was also a brief appearance by a 16-year-old Kate Winslet. The film won the BAFTA award for best serial drama; Davies and Johnson also won awards, from the Writers' Guild of Great Britain and the Broadcasting Press Guild respectively. 

Published on November 27th, 2018. ....

Read Next...

Spindoe

A tale of cross border gang warfare - North versus South London and a lesson in no-honour among thieves.

Also tagged British Drama Series

Champion House

When their family business is threatened with financial ruin, a family go into bitter battle - with themselves.

Also tagged British Drama Series

Mad About You

A successful documentary filmmaker and his wife, a hard-working PR administrator, try to find the correct work, life, balance in this hugely popular 90s sitcom

Also released in 1992

The Revenue Men

Action adventure series featuring the exploits of the men and women who work for the official government investigation department of Customs and Excise.

Also tagged British Drama Series

As Time Goes By

Two former lovers meet unexpectedly after not having been in contact for 38 years. Their time for romance has passed - or has it?

Also released in 1992

Edward Judd in Intrigue

Industrial espionage series starring Edward Judd

Also tagged British Drama Series

Who Pays the Ferryman

British ex-serviceman Alan Haldane returns to Crete after 30 years.

Also tagged British Drama Series

Imagine the horror of reaching middle age, losing your looks, your husband, your lover, only to be confronted with a terrifying, incomprehensible truth - your youthful self, three times over, is living and loving somewhere else in the country

Also released in 1992