Inheritance

INHERITANCE was one of the first mini-series I ever saw. I enjoyed it very much and have wondered many times why it has not been repeated. It spanned several generations of two families - one a mill owning family and one the family and descendants of a weaver - and mixed real history with the fictional story of these two families and how they became entwined in a fascinating destiny. It not only starred James Bolam and John Thaw but the wonderful Michael Goodliffe who played one of the characters in later life in every episode. Thelma Whitely, another great actor, was in several episodes and added to the general excellence of the series. Wonderful adaptation of a great book.

Produced by Granada Television Manchester in the mid 60's, Inheritance was the best series at the time covering events from the early 1800's right through to modern times.

It was a story of Mills and their owners, the people who inherited the mills over time, their love relationships, their dealings with the 1812 Luddite Revolt, their demonstrations and it's affects on everyone, not forgetting the threat to England's internal stability already stretched by the war against Napoleon Bonaparte. We see these Luddites who were desperately fighting to save their jobs as they saw it because of the ongoing technological changes and advancement to machinery that could replace them and do the work of several men.

The book written by Phyllis Bentley was based on true events in the West Riding of Yorkshire and this mini series encapsulated all these events and happenings professionally.

I find it strange that such a well produced series was never repeated for younger viewers in order for them to see what life and hardship was really like many years ago.

It would be amazing to see this series released on DVD so that many people could learn a bit of cold history that is often avoided these days.

Come on Granada TV, please release this forgotten treasure. People are waiting to see it again 😇

The series is an adaptation of Phyllis Bentley's novel of the same name. In each generation the key characters were played by the same actors (James Bolam and John Thaw) which gave a wonderful sense of continuity to the production. The story of a Yorkshire wool manufacturing family from the Luddites to the present day it is an outstanding story with a production to match. I wish it was still available - it is well worth repeating.