The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous (film)
A television film based on Jilly Cooper's novel.
The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous is a 1997 British television film based on Jilly Cooper's 1993 novel from the Rutshire Chronicles series. Directed by Robert Knights and produced by Sarah Lawson, it stars Stephen Billington in the title role of Lysander Hawkley. Broadcasters typically divide the 146-minute production into three episodes, and it is available on DVD.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Robert Knights
- Producer
- Sarah Lawson
- Screenplay
- Harvey Bamberg; Andrew Maclear
- Based on
- The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous, Jilly Cooper
- Starring
- Stephen Billington
- Kate Byers
- Hugh Bonneville
- Donna King
- Music
- John Murphy; David A. Hughes
- Editing
- Christopher Wentzell
- Studio
- Lawson Productions for Anglia Television
Facts from the source article.
Production
Sarah Lawson, who produced the film, had previously worked with director Robert Knights on the feature film The Dawning (1988). Knights began his directing career in the 1970s on BBC's Play for Today and had directed The History Man (1981), Porterhouse Blue (1987), and Double Vision (1992); his work on Porterhouse Blue and The Glittering Prizes (1976) earned BAFTA Award nominations. The casting director avoided established stars, selecting Stephen Billington from hundreds who auditioned for the pivotal role of Lysander Hawkley. Donna King, who played one of Lysander's love interests, had originated the part of Bombalurina in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats on Broadway. Production costs were reported in May 1997 as £3,000,000, and publicity pictures depicted a smooth young opportunist surrounded by eager women.
Outline
The film opens with Lysander Hawkley, accompanied by a Jack Russell Terrier, making love to Martha, the neglected wife of Elmer Winterton. He runs naked from the house pursued by Winterton with a crossbow, hides in a tree, and is trapped by Rottweilers. Hawkley, a semi-professional tennis player in his early twenties, becomes notorious for affairs with married women. After his mother's funeral, his father refuses further financial support. Hawkley and his friend Ferdie devise a plan for Hawkley to take money from neglected wives to make their husbands jealous, which succeeds financially until Hawkley meets Kitty Rannaldini, the wife of a world-famous conductor, and becomes besotted with her.
Reception
The People commented that only Jilly Cooper could get away with a preposterous hero whose name sounds like an RAF Transport plane. In The Independent, David Aaronovitch noted that Lysander is not predatory but that every woman wants his first service, and compared Hawkley to Peter Mandelson. In The Daily Mirror, Richard Wallace remarked that if Tim Henman thinks the pressure is on as Wimbledon approaches, he should try stepping into Stephen Billington's tennis shoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who stars in The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous (film)?
The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous stars Stephen Billington, Kate Byers, Hugh Bonneville and Donna King.
When was The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous (film) released?
The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous was released on 6 June 1997.
Who composed the music for The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous (film)?
The music for The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous was composed by John Murphy and David A. Hughes.
Who wrote The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous (film)?
The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous was written by Harvey Bamberg and Andrew Maclear.
More in Television Shows Produced by Anglia Television
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