A Dance to the Music of Time (TV series)

A Dance to the Music of Time is a British four-part television drama series based on the book series of the same name by Anthony Powell. The series was also written by Anthony Powell with Hugh Whitemore as co-writer. The series was produced by Table Top Productions and directed by Christopher Morahan and Alvin Rakoff. It was first broadcast on Channel 4[1] on the 9 October 1997 over four consecutive weeks.

A Dance to the Music of Time
GenreDrama
Created by
Written by
Directed by
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes4
Production
Executive producerHugh Whitemore
ProducerAlvin Rakoff
Running time120 minutes
Release
Original networkChannel 4
Picture format16:9 1080i
Audio formatSurround sound 5.1
Original release9 October (1997-10-09) –
30 October 1997 (1997-10-30)
External links
Channel 4

Synopsis

In flashback to 1920's Britain, Nicholas Jenkins reminisces about his school days, where he met Widmerpool and Jean.

Cast

[2]

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.K. viewers
(millions) [3]
1"The Twenties"Christopher MorahanAnthony Powell and Hugh Whitemore9 October 1997 (1997-10-09)N/A
In a flashback to 1920's Britain, Kenneth Widmerpool, a much-teased boy at school who is to grow into a determined influence on his friends while Nicholas Jenkins reminisces about his school days, where he met Widmerpool and Jean[4].
2"The Thirties"Christopher MorahanAnthony Powell and Hugh Whitemore16 October 1997 (1997-10-16)N/A
Nick Jenkins and his friends are now thirtysomethings. Marriages are crumbling and youthful optimism is fading fast. Jenkins reconnects with Stringham and Widmerpool and meets Quiggan. Widmerpool is articled to a solicitor but intends to go into business and politics as well[5].
3"The War"Alvin RakoffAnthony Powell and Hugh Whitemore23 October 1997 (1997-10-23)N/A
Nicholas joins up to fight WWII. He is assigned to assist now-Major Widmerpool. Priscilla leaves her husband to live with Odo Stevens. When Widmerpool is promoted, Nicholas is transferred to Major Pennistone's Polish liaison staff. Femme fatale Pamela Flitton uses men and throws them away; her contempt sends Peter Templer into the secret service. She becomes engaged to Widmerpool and tells Nicholas that Widmerpool is responsible for Templer's death[6].
4"Post War"Alvin RakoffAnthony Powell and Hugh Whitemore30 October 1997 (1997-10-30)N/A
Ten years after the end of WWII, Quiggin starts a literary magazine. Pamela leaves MP Widmerpool for X Trapnel but eventually returns. As the 1960's progress, Widmerpool becomes college chancellor and winds up servant to a cult, Jean & Bob's daughter becomes a film star, and Nicholas' acquaintances continue to pass away[7].

Critical Reception

The Thomas Sutcliffe of The Independent described the first episode in the series if It's questionable whether any literary work can survive a compression as intense as that undergone by A Dance to the Music of Time and went on to mention For obvious reasons barely even a homeopathic trace of Powell's patrician ruminations remain - what has survived are the incidents upon which he strung his grand reflections. [8].

References
  1. "A Dance to the Music of Time on ALL4". Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  2. "A Dance to the Music of Time - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  3. "BARB 7-Day viewing data". BARB.
  4. "A Dance to the Music of Time - Episode 1". Channel 4. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  5. "A Dance to the Music of Time - Episode 2". Channel 4. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  6. "A Dance to the Music of Time - Episode 3". Channel 4. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  7. "A Dance to the Music of Time - Episode 4". Channel 4. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  8. "TV REVIEW: A DANCE TO THE MUSIC OF TIME by Thomas Sutcliffe, 23 October 2011". The Independent. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
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