Exploits at West Poley (Children’s Film Foundation)
Date: 1985
Director: Diarmuid Lawrence
Production Company: Children's Film and Television Foundation (CFTVF)
Stars: Anthony Bate, Brenda Fricker, Charlie Condou, Jonathan Jackson
Location(s): Oxfordshire
Region(s): South East E-L
Storyline:
Two boys divert water from a stream which is used to run a watermill before the consequences become apparent.
Additional Information:
Page compiled by Phil Wilkinson
Based on Thomas Hardy’s ‘Our Exploits At West Poley’ released in 1892, two Children’s Film Foundation productions have been adapted from the short story. This one, and ‘The Secret Cave’ made in 1953.
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Expecting to be met by his cousin Stephen, Leonard (Charlie Condou) waits at a crossroads before setting off to walk the mile to West Poley.
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Reaching West Poley, the Youngster walks past a Washerwoman (Jelena Budimir) as he makes his way through the small village.
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A curious Old Woman (Diana King) shuffles to her gateway when she sees the Stranger pass.
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Leonard is given directions to his Aunt's house.
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Continuing on his way, the Boy crosses a bridge before pausing to look at the village mill.
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Across the mill pond, the sound of a waterwheel accompanies the loading of a cart. Mapledurham Water Mill on the Mapledurham Estate in Oxfordshire.
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Job Tray (Noel O'Connell) struggles as he drags a heavy sack of flour towards the cart. Outside Mapledurham Water Mill.
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Miller Griffin (Jonathan Adams) returns to the mill after telling Job that five more sacks have to be loaded. Mapledurham Water Mill on the Mapledurham Estate.
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Leonard enters his Aunt's farmyard.
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Watched from an outhouse by Stephen, a dog barks as it runs towards Leonard.
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Aunt Draycott (Brenda Fricker) runs out of the house to calm the animal and greet her nephew.
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Telling the dog to stay, Aunt Draycott follows Leonard into the parlour.
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Next morning, Stephen Draycott (Jonathan Jackson) takes Leonard into the countryside.
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The two Boys enter a cave where Stephen shows his cousin a chamber known as Old Nick's Pocket.
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After Stephen and Leonard divert a watercourse within the cave that inadvertently causes a new river to flow through East Poley, a Scarred Man (Sean Bean) and a Bearded Man (Brian Coburn) celebrate at the inn with other Residents.
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Stephen arrives in East Poley to find the Villagers rejoicing their good fortune.
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The merrymaking continues.
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After the river is restored to its proper course, The Man Who Has Failed (Anthony Bate) warns of forthcoming trouble between the Residents of East and West Poley.