Are you looking for a wholesome alternative to the ever-popular “Bridgerton,” something that offers complex family relationships, romantic intrigue, and lavish period costumes without the salacious content? “Wives and Daughters,” a four-part British miniseries that aired on the BBC in 1999 (and 2002 in the United States), is an excellent option.
Instead of an original story with a loose historical setting, this tale is an adaptation of the 1864 novel “Wives and Daughters: An Everyday Story” by Elizabeth Gaskell.
A Classic Story
This story focuses on Molly Gibson (Justine Waddell; Anna Maguire, as a child), the only child of a country doctor (Bill Paterson), who was widowed when Molly was a young girl. When the beloved daughter has grown into a young woman, her father is disturbed to learn that one of his medical students (Richard Coyle) is infatuated with her, so he sends her to visit neighbors without revealing the reason.Molly enjoys staying with her hosts: the gruff yet lovable Squire Hamley (Michael Gambon), his sensitive wife (Penelope Wilton), their favored older son, Osborne (Tom Hollander), and the studious younger son, Roger (Anthony Howell). Molly is a great comfort to the parents as they learn of Osborne’s failure to pass an exam at Cambridge and wonder about his troubling secretiveness.
Meanwhile, Dr. Gibson grows increasingly fond of attractive widow Hyacinth Kirkpatrick (Francesca Annis), who has worked as a governess since her husband’s death years earlier. Molly is devastated when she learns that her father intends to marry Mrs. Kirkpatrick. As soon as they’ve married, Hyacinth’s former sweetness is replaced with narrow-minded vanity, selfishness, and preoccupation with social customs.
Soon, the new Mrs. Gibson’s grown daughter, Cynthia (Keeley Hawes), comes to live with them. The beautiful young woman lacks Molly’s sincerity, but she soon grows closer to her new stepsister. Molly is sad that she no longer enjoys as much time with her father, and she is secretly dismayed when Cynthia attracts the affection of the local young men, especially Roger Hamley. Meanwhile, Hyacinth and Cynthia seem to share a secret with the mysterious and seemingly sinister Mr. Preston (Iain Glen).
Historic Beauty
This series was generous with historic details, especially regarding costumes and hairstyles. According to the IMDb website, each of the three leading ladies required over 1,000 costumes and up to 40 hairstyles throughout the four episodes.The most notable exception to this is the hairstyle that young noblewoman Lady Harriet Cumnor (Rosamund Pike) wears in the latter half of the fourth episode. While her previous hairstyles were styled and curled updos, she suddenly has a very short, almost spiky hairstyle, which looks more like a pixie haircut than a Victorian coiffure.
Although my main area of focus is Hollywood’s Golden Age, 1934–1954, when the Production Code was in full force, I’m always happy to discover entertainment made outside this era that demonstrates decency for all ages. “Wives and Daughters” measures up to these moral standards very nicely.
Honesty, honor, and loyalty are shown as admirable virtues that some characters possess and others learn. I appreciate how the social and moral standards of that historical period are taken very seriously, with no modern spin put on the characters, relationships, or dialogue.
Many of the scenarios are well-known, but they’re done in surprising ways. The evil stepmother is one of the commonest tropes in story writing, yet Mrs. Gibson defies standard definition since she doesn’t fit the mold. She is more exasperating with every new scene, yet she never becomes the stereotypical stepmother of Disney princess movies.
A Good Role Model
Young women and girls today desperately need good role models. Neither modern celebrities nor most onscreen characters offer examples of traditional femininity. Classic movies from Hollywood’s golden era offer dozens of wonderful role models, but it’s refreshing and delightful to find a series made in the last few decades with an admirable young female character.Molly Gibson is a perfect example of strong femininity instead of feminism. She never challenges her natural role as a woman, but she does question the unnatural rules of pretentious and hypocritical high society that her stepmother tries to impose on her. She also displays faith-based virtues, which are admirable traits for any person.
She is humble, modest, selfless, generous, honest, forgiving, brave, and extremely loving. She is unafraid to tell her father that she would prefer not to do certain things, but she happily submits herself to anything he expressly wishes, like a dutiful daughter.
She is meekly subservient to her father and stepmother, and she joyfully helps the Hamleys during many tragedies. Perhaps her most admirable behavior is her treatment of her stepsister, a beautiful young woman whom she could easily resent but whom she chooses to embrace and love.
Molly is never proud or self-righteous; however, she isn’t a doormat. When she sees that Cynthia is behaving selfishly or insensitively toward the young man she supposedly loves, Molly remonstrates her. This is also a very loving act, since she is keeping Cynthia from becoming self-centered.
Look for this serial on DVD or streaming services to enjoy wholesome entertainment for yourself or to share with your daughters, granddaughters, nieces, sisters, neighbors, students, and friends.
Director: Nicholas Renton
Starring: Justine Waddell, Bill Paterson, Francesca Annis, Tom Hollander, Anthony Howell
MPAA Rating: TV-PG
Running Time: 4 episodes totaling 5 hours, 1 minute
Release Date: Dec. 15, 2002 (U.S.)
