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6 Episodes 1983 - 1983
Episode 1
51 mins
Under the guise of a good deed, plain 10-year-old Fanny Price is shipped from her large and impoverished family to live with wealthier relatives - the Bertrams - at distant Mansfield Park, where she's raised as a second-class citizen. Seven years pass, where Fanny silently witnesses three of her four cousins becoming wayward and spoiled. As the sins of eldest son Tom wipes out the planned inheritance for second-eldest Edmund, a new parson comes to the parish, bringing along wealthy relatives - the Crawfords - about whom Fanny writes to her beloved brother in the navy.
Episode 2
54 mins
As the charming Crawfords mix in with the Bertrams, Edmund's apparent infatuation with Mary Crawford (which Mary can't equally return once she hears of his interest in becoming a clergyman) and Maria's callous disregard of her fiancé, Mr. Rushmore, at the site of a locked gate (compounded by her wandering interest in Henry Crawford) disturbs Fanny.
Episode 3
53 mins
Tom returns without Sir Thomas but with his haughty pal Mr. Yates in tow. Except for Edmund and Fanny, the young people decide to put on a play, converting the billiard room and Sir Thomas' adjacent study into a theater and green room. In that Maria and Julia (two women) will be permitted to act makes it unsuitable enough, but the group also decides upon performing "Lover's Vows," containing objectionable themes of adultery and illegitimacy. Edmund and Fanny are eventually and uncomfortably drawn in (mostly to keep the production from becoming public knowledge), when Sir Thomas finally returns, unexpectedly early and rightfully displeased.
Episode 4
52 mins
Maria marries Mr. Rushworth and Julie joins them, removing both sisters from Mansfield Park. In their absence, Sir Thomas' affection for Fanny increases to the point where he decides to throw a coming out ball for her. Since Fanny's brother William (on leave) gives her a small cross with no chain to wear, Fanny ends up in a quandary when Mary and Edmund each give her chains for it. Henry returns home to make a startling announcement.
Episode 5
51 mins
The family finds Fanny's rejection of Henry's marriage proposal unfathomable and lacking gratitude, but Fanny knows she feels for another and that the proposal should not be trusted (as Henry is of refined manners but questionable in character and fickle). Indeed, Henry's involvement in getting William a naval commission was done mainly to ply on Fanny's gratitude. Sir Thomas, thinking Fanny needs time to get in touch with her heart, sends her with William to their parents' house to face her humble, crowded beginnings and think better of Henry's proposal.
Episode 6
52 mins
Henry continues to interject himself in Fanny's life, even as she visits her family for the first time in seven years, yet her rejection remains firm. Soon, bad news comes, followed by worse: Tom, fallen down drunk and abandoned by his friends, becomes deathly ill and is brought back home for closely monitored care. Henry tempts Maria away from her husband, Mr. Rushworth, and the two scandalously run off together. Julia marries Mr. Yates and hightails it to Scotland. And Mary reveals a cruelty of character than Edmund can no longer overlook. Fanny returns to Mansfield Park, this time bringing sister Susan with her. Edmund realizes Fanny is the right woman for him.