In the 1830's in northern England, Riah Millican, a widow with three children, takes a job as housekeeper to a reclusive former teacher, Percival Miller. Miller makes Riah the gift of a black velvet gown, and even educates her children. But when Riah discovers the reason behind Miller's gifts, she vows to leave his house, but Miller has a hold on her, even after his death, when he leaves his house to her on the condition that she never marry. Riah's daughter, Biddy, grows up and becomes a laundress in a large house where her education keeps her from fitting in and makes her a target. But it also catches the eye of a son of the house, and with Miller's legacies, Biddy may yet find her way to happiness.
Directed by Norman Stone
Your score–
Not scoredImages
Cast
Bob Peck
Percival Miller
Janet McTeer
Riah Millican
Geraldine Somerville
Biddy Millican
Jonathan Firth
Paul Gallmington
David Hunt
Laurence Gallmington
Brendan P. Healy
Tol Briston
Jean Anderson
Madame Gallmington
Christopher Benjamin
Anthony Gallington
Wendy Williams
Grace Gallmington
Aran Bell
Stephen Gallmington
Louise Lombard
Lucy Gallmington
Madeleine Moffat
Jessie Hobson
Val McLane
Annie Griston
James Garbutt
Doctor Pritchard
Related
The Secret Garden
The Secret: Dare to Dream
Far from the Madding Crowd
Firelight
Pride and Prejudice
Mansfield Park
Wuthering Heights
Mansfield Park
Winter's Tale
Hollywood Dirt
Northanger Abbey
Pride & Prejudice
Jane Eyre
A Little Princess
A Room with a View
All This, and Heaven Too