Hard Times (British TV series)

Hard Times was a 1977 TV series based on Charles Dickens' 1854 novel of the same name, directed by John Irvin.

Cast

 * Patrick Allen	 – Thomas Gradgrind
 * Rosalie Crutchley – Mrs. Sparsit
 * Michelle Dibnah – Sissy Jupe
 * Alan Dobie – Stephen Blackpool
 * Barbara Ewing – Rachael
 * Edward Fox – Capt. James Harthouse
 * Ursula Howells – Mrs. Gradgrind
 * Harry Markham – Sleary
 * Jacqueline Tong – Louisa Gradgrind
 * Timothy West – Josiah Bounderby
 * Richard Wren – Tom Gradgrind
 * Sean Flanagan – Bitzer
 * Peter Martin – Waiter

Critical reception
Screenonline wrote "The four-part adaptation by Arthur Hopcraft is streamlined but generally very faithful to the book and, as directed by John Irvin, the serial is presented with considerable panache."