Amazon.com: In 18th-century England, the slave trade was a popular get-rich-quick scheme, and it is the heart of darkness that pulses through the Mobil Masterpiece Theatre production of A Respectable Trade. Philippa Gregory wrote the screenplay based on her novel, in which a well-bred but penniless young woman named Frances (Emma Fielding) marries a Bristol shipping merchant (Warren Clarke). Josiah Cole is boorish and unsophisticated, but Frances sees a simple honesty in him that convinces her to leave her uncle's manor for a leaky warehouse on the wharf and wifely duties she did not anticipate. Her husband's "respectable trade" turns out to be human cargo, and he expects Frances to train the slaves for service in upper-class households. But Frances must learn hard lessons as she develops an affection for Mehuru (Ariyon Bakare), an educated, compassionate man who is one of the slaves in her care. Thankfully, the plot is far more complex than the historical romance this quick summary might suggest. A Respectable Trade is as much the story of a greedy man reaching too high as it is the tale of a forbidden passion. The dramatic tension between all of the major characters makes for compelling viewing--it's quite easy to watch all four hours in one sitting. Gregory's screenplay and the performances elicit sympathy for each character's plight as the video approaches its memorable conclusion. --Larisa Lomacky Moore
An underappreciated performance After coming across this film quite accidentally on PBS, I found it thoroughly gripping, and agree completely with the other reviewers' high praise. I am adding my own words merely to encourage viewers not to overlook the extraordinary performance by Anna Massey as Sarah Cole. It is tempting to dismiss Sarah as a simple villain in this tale. However, I found Massey's stark performance deeply moving and expressive of Sarah's profound experience of displacement and loss. She is clearly the brains in her brother's business, for example, and depends on it for her own welfare, but is helpless to prevent its decline when Josiah begins to exclude her from his decisionmaking process. She is forced to abandon her lifelong home and lifestyle in pursuit of her brother's social pretensions. A proud and stoic worker, she is asked to curry favor with shallow and spoiled members aristocracy. I sympathized deeply with her scorn for unearned luxury.
Female in 18th century England, Sarah--like Frances, and like Mehuru--enjoys tragically little opportunity to guide her own fate.
Britain, the Slave Trade and Impoverished Ladies Quite a combination, right? I had mixed feelings about watching this video because I knew the combinations were deadly. There was a white impoverished woman, who is also a poor relation to the aristocracy, who is married off by them to the merchant class and who then then falls in love with one of the slaves her husband has her teaching. Hardly a Jane Austen piece! It was going to be difficult to resolve this drama on an "up" note but it did its best in that direction. It is an engrossing drama and I now know more about Britain's involvement in the slave trade from this very well done production. However, it is every bit as problematic romantically as "Romeo and Juliet"!
Outstanding script, superb acting, and Emma Fielding... This is not the typical 18th century romance. The central themes are beautifully woven into a single strand, and the characters show a range and depth rarely seen in American cinema. Warren Clarke (remember him as "Dim", the slow-witted droog from "A Clockwork Orange"?) delivers an outstanding performance as Josiah Cole, a slavetrader and simple man who turns into a social climber. Aariyon Bakare puts the viewer squarely into the emotion of the story with his evocative, understated elegance. And Emma Fielding as Frances Scott absolutely steals this movie. This enormously talented London stage and RSC actress brings the whole package: extraordinary beauty, emotional range, presence, and a wondrous voice that is itself sheer theatrical viagra (forget about Nicole Kidman's bare bottom). I would love to see Ms. Fielding in full-length feature films, and fervently wish that Hollywood had enough intelligence and imagination to find star vehicles for this brilliant young actress. I'm thinking of starting an Emma Fielding Fan Club on this side of the herring-pond, if only for the pleasure of seeing more of her work here in the US. The book by Philippa Gregory is just as powerful and moving, and I highly recommend it as well.
Sweet, sour, brutal, raw, unforgettable viewing. A Respectable Trade was a fabulous book (go read it now!) and it was made into a fabulous film. All of the actors are superb - and Philippa Gregory herself wrote the screenplay, which gives the production the same magic the book had. The story begins in 1787, when ambitious trader Josiah Cole tries to cilmb the social ladder by asking the well blooded but dirt poor Frances Scott to marry him. Frances, thirty four and desperate, agrees to marry him. If only she'd known what she was getting herself into! It turns out that Josiah makes a good deal of his money trading slaves. Frances learns about the horrors of slavery, and learns about true love - from the kind and clever Mehuru - one of her husband's slaves. Yikes! Sounds like things could get complicated... and they do! It certainly makes for compelling watching.
A Colorful and Dark Romantic Drama I absolutely LOVED this movie!!!! The screenplay and direction were phenomenal. The costumes, sets, and actors were so authentic, at times I felt I was actually in 18th century England watching this story unfold. I am always interested in movies with slavery themes because I believe it is a crucial part of the history of people of African decent. This movie did not glamorize or down play the slavery element. It showed it in its true, brutal, sadistic form. If you are a sensitive viewer, I would say proceed with extreme caution.
Overall, I found this movie to be about forbidden love and about looking beyond race as in "color", and seeing race as in "human". There are plenty of unexpected surprises so be prepared to run the gamut of emotions.
Masterpiece Theater's production are always superb and this is no exception. I am sure anyone who watches this movie will love it as much as I did.
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