The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders

I've seen this 4-part film at once (230 min.) and surprisingly it wasn't tiring or boring at all. On the contrary, the movie caught my attention readily, as it tells this story very well. Alex Kingston is great in the part of this young woman who struggles to be a wealthy gentlelady, even if it requires surrendering her virtue in any way. It's a wonderful movie and I strongly recommend it.

The novel is the archetypal bodice ripper but the Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders is far more than that. It is a well constructed, well acted, well directed period drama of the type the British TV Industry does so well.

Alex Kingston is exceptional in the title roll, her defection to the States from the UK is a real loss and the cast list is like a who's who of British TV. Particularly good is Diana Rigg.

All in all my words cannot really do it justice, if you get the opportunity to see it then please do. It is really well worth it.

The story of Moll Flanders, thief and whore, is brought to the screen in four episodes written by period drama specialist Andrew Davies and performed by the peerless Alex Kingston.

When we first meet Moll, she lives in the house of the Mayor of Colchester, coquettishly flirting with his two sons. By the time we leave her she's been through five husbands, found the story of her origins, and turned to stealing and prostitution. But will she ultimately triumph?

This drama is fairly explicit - there's nudity and sex scenes galore. But Kingston is terrific as Moll and there are many other pleasures - Daniel Craig, Diana Rigg. Put the children in bed early and enjoy a fun nd well-done adaptation for the grown-ups.

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.

Years ago when this aired on Baton Rouge's WLPB PBS station it was HEAVILY edited!

Only after someone reminded me that it was being re-shown on WYES in New Orleans UNCUT I eagerly tuned in!

Totally changed the entire direction of the movie! I don't think stations should be allowed to run cut movies.

Show it at a later time but don't hack up good movies, especially a classic just for someones Puritanical nonsense!

Have to say...even cut up as it was the first time I saw it, it was still a 10.