British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Rumpole and the Course of True Love

Synopsis
Rumpole defends Ronald Ransom, an English teacher accused of having had sexual relations with Francesca, a 15-year-old student in his class. Although he had written her several letters, which mysteriously were delivered to the headmaster, he denies they had a physical relationship. But who is really pulling the strings behind the scenes? By the end of the case, Rumpole regretfully decides that his defence robbed the teacher of the role of Romeo and cast him as the fool instead. Back in chambers Phyllida Trant questions her relationship with boyfriend Claude when she discovers she is pregnant.
Series
Rumpole of the Bailey
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Television
Transmission details
26 Jun 1979 at 21:00 (Channel: ITV)
Duration
60 mins

Credits

Director
Brian Farnham
Writer
John Mortimer
Cast
Kate DorningFrancesca Capstick
Leo McKernHorace Rumpole
Nigel HaversRonald Ransom
Patricia HodgePhyllida Trant

Additional Details

Production type
Television and Radio Drama
Plays
Romeo and Juliet
Subjects
Drama; Shakespeare

Notes

Notes
This was the fifth episode from the second series of Rumpole of the Bailey. In the closing scenes, at the wedding of Claude and Phyllida, author John Mortimer makes an unbilled cameo as one of the guests.
General
The episodes opens at the ‘William Shakespeare Comprehensive School’ where a class is doing a reading of Act 2 Scene 2 from from Romeo and Juliet (the balcony scene). Rumpole later quotes from the play.

Production Company

Name

Thames Television

Archive

Name

BoB

Email
bob@learningonscreen.ac.uk
Web
https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand External site opens in new window
Phone
020 3743 2345
Address
Learning on Screen - the British Universities and Colleges Film and Video Council
330 Holborn Gate
1st Floor, Suite 120
London
WC1V 7QH
Notes
Formerly a service from BUFVC, British Universities Film & Video Council

Distributor

Name

Retail outlets

Distributor (DVD)

Name

Acorn Media UK

Email
customerservices@acorndvd.com
Web
http://www.acorndvd.com/ External site opens in new window
Fax
020 7627 250
Address
55 Drury Lane
London
WC2B 5SQ
Notes
Founded in 1997, Acorn specialises in distributing archival television programmes, predominantly licensed from the BBC and ITV. Sale on DVD and Blu-Ray, in Region 2 PAL format, direct and via retail outlets.

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