Here’s the synopsis for this 81-minute episode of Play for Today on BritBox:
The Carlions gather for an event, where they must determine who will take over their powerful family business.
I enjoyed this early 80s offering and in many regards, it reminded me of Falcon Crest. Instead of Napa vineyards and wine making, the action takes place in rural England and the sudsy plot concerns a wealthy family’s hops fields and beer making business.
Australian actor Leo McKern is cast as the cagey patriarch, and he has a lot to say about how family members, shareholders and sundry employees conduct their lives. Everyone is brought together near the end of the second World War because the Carlions’ oldest son has been killed overseas in battle. He was the heir apparent, and now Sir Frederic must decide who will take over his dynasty. There are a few anxious shareholders who hope he chooses the right successor.
Coming home for the funeral is a wayward daughter Virginia (Penelope Wilton) whose choices in men have never received approval. There is also a prodigal son named Philip (James Fox) who has been living in London and he’s just as estranged from their parents. Philip has two things working against him– he didn’t serve in the war and was not as heroic as his dead brother; and he has a male lover that cannot be introduced to anyone.
Wendy Hiller is on hand as matriarch Daisy. There’s an interesting scene where she learns her son is gay, and she knows her husband will not approve.
But Papa Frederic needs Philip to take control of the company, since he cannot fathom the idea of handing the reigns over to his daughter. No, definitely not. A woman must confine herself to domestic duties and cannot oversee business. The ironic thing is that Virginia is probably more suited to the role of beer baron(ess) than her brother Philip.
Soon Philip has agreed to take over, and in order to gain approval of the stockholders he agrees to quickly find a wife. He’s pushing 40 and cannot remain a “bachelor” forever. His deceased brother’s widow (Jill Bennett) isn’t averse to marrying Philip in name only, in order to protect her own financial interests.
There is a lot of vying for Philip’s attention. He eventually decides to marry his father’s secretary– a woman rumored to have been sleeping with Sir Frederic for years. But she seems rather likable and has an easy rapport with Philip.
There is a subplot I rather liked, which I felt would have been developed more if this story had been turned into a weekly series. At one point, we learn the British Labour Party has taken control of the government (which did happen in 1945). Because of this change in power, workers were now forming unions. We see some of Sir Frederic’s brewery employees gain solidarity and attempt to unionize.
Of course, Frederic is against his workers having any such power to negotiate better conditions; and there is a tense standoff at the brewery which escalates to the point where someone gets shot.
Philip will attempt to broker a peace and keep everyone happy. Even if his own happiness in life must be put on hold.
“Country” may currently be viewed on BritBox.
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