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Short summary

Tom Brown, as a new boy at Rugby Public School, has to contend with the school's harsh discipline and accepted bullying from the older boys. Adaptation of Thomas Hughes' novel.

According to the novel, East's first name is Harry, while in the show it is Ned.

Flashman's role in the show was significantly expanded in comparison to the novel.

Flashman's father is not mentioned in the novel.

The show is based on a novel written by Thomas Hughes.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Quynaus
    This version, which showed in the US as a "Masterpiece Theatre" program, is a good deal more true to the original novel than the 1940 Hollywood attempt with Jimmy Lydon. It is also much less full of treacle. Young Anthony Murphy is an open-faced, earnest Tom, and Richard Morant is very convincing as blackguard-in- training Flashman. While it's not up to the cinematic standard of the Gordon Parry film released in 1950 (with John Howard Davies as Tom), this version is well worth a viewing if you're any kind of fan of Hughes' book.
  • comment
    • Author: Amarin
    'Tom Brown's School Days', one of the best depictions of schoolboy life in literature, have varied in quality adaptations-wise. The 1940 and 1951 films are solid and the 2005 version is decent but inconsistent.

    However, the 1971 series is by far the best version, being the one to convey the meaning and richness of the original story the most effectively, the most layered and is the most faithful to the book. For this reviewer, it is the only adaptation that's truly great.

    Visually, 'Tom Brown's School Days' (1971) is very handsomely mounted but also has a darkness and broodiness that was very well suited. It's beautifully photographed, and it didn't look too grainy to me, and the costumes and sets are evocative of the period and have a sumptuous elegance and austere darkness.

    It's very thoughtfully scripted and sympathetically directed. The storytelling here actually takes its time without feeling stretched or too long, also not feeling too short or rushed which allows the layered spirit and meaning of the original book to come out properly.

    The characters are interesting and have a compelling realism. The acting is superb, especially from Iain Cuthbertson as strict but sincere Dr. Arnold and Richard Morant as a contender for the vilest bully character to grace television in Flashman. Anthony Murphy is an appealing and never bland Tom, the character's loneliness, fear and courage very believable. This adaptation also has the best developed and played East in Simon-Fisher Turner.

    Overall, the best version of 'Tom Brown's School Days' and the only truly great, often outstanding, version on its own terms. 10/10 Bethany Cox
  • comment
    • Author: Alsardin
    I think "Tom Brown's School Days" was an excellent movie. It was interesting, the acting was good, and it was clean and only had minor swearing. There may have been a few parts (fighting scenes) that were a bit fake-looking, but good for a 1970s movie. Before I watched it I thought it might be a somewhat boring and a bit cheesy, but you can't judge a movie by it's title! My favorite actors were probably Anthony Murphy and Simon Turner. There may have been a few slow-going parts, but you'll get those in just about every movie, and it didn't make it any less interesting. And by Jove, the British accents were, as usual, simply splendid!
  • Series cast summary:
    Iain Cuthbertson Iain Cuthbertson - Dr. Thomas Arnold 5 episodes, 1971
    Simon Fisher-Turner Simon Fisher-Turner - Ned East 5 episodes, 1971
    Richard Morant Richard Morant - Flashman 5 episodes, 1971
    Anthony Murphy Anthony Murphy - Tom Brown 5 episodes, 1971
    Richard Gibson Richard Gibson - Sunning 4 episodes, 1971
    David Hampshire David Hampshire - Diggs 4 episodes, 1971
    Christopher Moran Christopher Moran - Coates 4 episodes, 1971
    Mark Rogers Mark Rogers - Cuthbertson 4 episodes, 1971
    Barry Stokes Barry Stokes - Brooke 4 episodes, 1971
    Sean Bury Sean Bury - Denning 3 episodes, 1971
    Simon Conrad Simon Conrad - Willoughby 3 episodes, 1971
    Geoffrey Edwards Geoffrey Edwards - Reverend Bird 3 episodes, 1971
    Gerald Flood Gerald Flood - Sir Richard Flashman 3 episodes, 1971
    Christopher Guard Christopher Guard - Darcy 3 episodes, 1971
    Davyd Harries Davyd Harries - Reverend Anstey 3 episodes, 1971
    Valerie Holliman Valerie Holliman - Rosy Redman 3 episodes, 1971
    Mark Jefferis Mark Jefferis - Harker 3 episodes, 1971
    Robin Langford Robin Langford - Martin 3 episodes, 1971
    Dan Meaden Dan Meaden - Cully Redman 3 episodes, 1971
    Edward Palmer Edward Palmer - Thomas 3 episodes, 1971
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