A Respectable Trade Movie Review 1998

Frances Scott (Fielding) has lost her position as a governess in 1788 Bristol, England. A job-search letter gathers Frances a marriage proposal from Josiah Cole (Clarke), an older, earnest, social climbing businessman whose trade happens to be slaves. Josiah wishes Frances to teach English to some of his property so they may be sold as house servants and Frances begins to feel something special for one of the group--Moses (Bakare)--who turns out to be much more of an educated gentleman than her own husband. Based on Gregory's 1995 novel.

Distribution

VideoPreview Collection, National Fulfillment Center, PO Box 4055, Santa Monica, CA 90405, Toll-free: 800-771-9232, Fax: (310)399-4844

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 240 minutes.
Originally from British.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Historical Drama, Slavery, Great Britain, Interracial Affairs, Marriage

Screenplay

Philippa Gregory

Cast

Emma Fielding, Warren Clarke, Ariyon Bakare, Anna Massey

Director

Suri Krishnamma

Producer

Michael Wearing, Ruth Caleb, BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)