The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders

1996
The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders

Seasons & Episodes

  • 1

EP1 Episode 1 Dec 01, 1996

Moll is born in London's Newgate Prison to a woman awaiting transportation. No longer pregnant, the mother is immediately sent to the Colonies. Baby Moll is sold several times ending up with a band of gypsies. She runs away as a child and is taken in by the Mayor of Colchester, to be raised as "almost one of the family". When she is 18, the eldest son, Rowland Richardson, seduces her with a promise of marriage. The younger son, Robin, actually offers marriage and they are wed. Five years later, after Moll has borne him two children, he dies. Moll leaves the children with her in-laws and moves to London. She marries Daniel Dawkins, a young man who came into a rich inheritance from his father's drapery business. After running through all the money, plus what she had brought with her, her husband flees to France when the bailiffs come knocking on the door. Moll is left penniless and on her own.

EP2 Episode 2 Dec 02, 1996

Moll travels to Kent, taking the name of Lady Flanders. She meets and weds a ship's captain, Lemuel. They sail to his home in Virginia. Moll bears him two children before accidentally discovering from her mother-in-law, Mrs. Golightly, that she and Lemuel are actually half-brother and sister. Moll returns to England, losing most of her possessions in a storm at sea. Arriving in Lancaster, she meets Mistress Seagrave who introduces Moll to her brother, James "Jemmy" Seagrave.

EP3 Episode 3 Dec 08, 1996

Moll and Jemmy are married. Each discovers that the other is a fortune hunter. After spending the night with Moll, Jemmy abandons her. Moll takes the stage to London, which is robbed by Jemmy, who has become a highwayman. After sharing a passionate kiss he leaves and she continues her journey. Moll falls under the protection of a banker, John Bland, a fellow passenger. After convincing him to divorce his adulterous wife, Moll marries him and bears him two children. The shock of his bank going under kills John. When the bailiffs show up at the door Moll takes the children and as many valuables that she can carry and escapes. She leaves the children with her husband's relatives and finds lodging with Mrs. Riordan. Moll, starving, becomes a thief.

EP4 Episode 4 Dec 09, 1996

Moll continues in her life of crime, taking on a partner, Lucy Diver. Lucy is caught and hanged for her crimes. Moll is eventually caught robbing a drapery store. She is taken to Newgate and sentenced to hang for her crimes. She claims to be pregnant so is given a stay of execution of one month. Jemmy has been caught and is brought to the prison. They are allowed an hour together during which time Moll tells Jemmy to ask for transportation before he is brought up in court. She gives him a snuff box belonging to Sir Richard Gregory and asks Jemmy to take it to Sir Richard. Jemmy is to tell him that Moll Flanders needs his help or Sir Richard's wife will hear about Moll's sexual relationship with her husband. Jemmy appears in court and is sentenced to transportation to Virginia. Moll's sentence is to hang. As the noose is around her neck, Jemmy rides up and shouts that her sentence has been commuted to transportation. She and Jemmy sail together to Virginia.
7.7| 0h30m| NR| en| More Info
Released: 01 December 1996 Ended
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Country: United Kingdom
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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Synopsis

Ever since her birth in Newgate Prison, Moll has survived by her cunning wit, and considerable powers of seduction. She goes through five husbands and countless lovers to escape a life on the streets. In between using and deceiving her besotted paramours, she is not above picking a pocket or two! All the while, though, her heart belongs to the charismatic Jemmy. Inevitably, even the most clever criminal's luck runs out and Moll is soon facing hangman's noose. As her execution day approaches, she devises on last desperate ploy to save not only her own neck, but also the life of her one true love.

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dszemplinski-925-699924 At least the host of PBS's MT admits that liberties were taken with the original work. A potentially poignant film is - per usual- smeared with cinematic fecal matter so predictably painted like graffiti in a subway. The larger picture of the societal ills particular to 17/18th century England is marred by pornography (almost to the point of comedy). I think I've seen more of Alex Kingston's nips than my own in the last six months. What should have been the Les Miserables of England is reduced to wanton balderdash, having negated the seriousness of the underlying theme. Though beautifully filmed, the audience's intelligence is mocked by bottom feeder's fodder. It seems the producer's M.O is H.L. Mencken's slight, "No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people." Fortunately, many may read the book to find out the real story - and actually learn something. My copy is now on order.
kd4ml This is a delightful tale of an orphan born in Newgate prison where her mother was waiting to be hanged. This film is NOT to be confused with the disappointing film, "Moll Flanders", also released in 1996. Gypsies take the infant, Moll, to a small town where she is raised by a wealthy family with two sons. One is her first love, but he passes her to his brother who marries her. After he dies, she marries a businessman, who leaves her when his fortune is depleted. Moll then marries a ship's captain, who takes her to his prosperous Virginia plantation. She learns a shocking family secret so she returns to England alone to begin a new life. She meets and marries again, but this time her true love, Jemmy, is not what he appears. He has no fortune and makes a living as a highwayman. They part and she marries again. When the next husband dies, she is left a pauper. In desperation she becomes a thief. She is imprisoned in the place of her birth, awaiting the a sentence to be carried out. Moll is a survivor. Will she cheat the hangman? I enjoyed this film very much because of its refreshing blend of drama and humor.
stills-6 Entertaining but flawed screen version of Dafoe's novel. Kingston is excellent as Flanders and the rest of the cast does well also. The claustrophobic sets and many close-in shots add to the personal (and earthy!) nature of the story.The only problem I have with the movie is the pacing (I didn't read the book, but most movies based on books seem to have this same problem). Some sequences are given too much screen time and other elements are glossed over. The "theme" is given more importance than the story, which is a shame because there are some really good things here.
gleeps You may find yourself watching this entire 4-hour movie all in one sitting like I did. Although it is a Mobil Masterpiece Theater presentation, it is also available on video. If you think you're in for some boring English drama, brace yourself, as it is very fast-paced, erotic, and often shockingly funny. Alex Kingston (now on "ER") delves into this role with a ferocity we rarely see on the screen. Although Moll does many bad things, we root for her the whole way. Diana Rigg is also a hoot as a mother-in-law that reveals herself to be something more. Daniel Defoe's condemnation of society as unforgiving of the monsters it creates is still as relevant today as when it was written. As long as you have an open mind about sex, nudity and immoral behavior onscreen, prepare to be fascinated.