LOST EMPIRES

Details

• Release Year: 1986
• Genre: Drama
• Plot: This extraordinary Masterpiece Theatre featured production based on the novel by JB Priestley, and featuring one of the last performances of Sir Laurence Olivier, takes you to the last days of Britain's innocence and the glamorous, magical world of the great music halls - which once brought entertainment to millions. In 1913, young Richard Herncastle, played by Colin Firth, escapes from a stuffy, provincial English background into the glitter and excitement of the theatre world. Funny, sad, and nostalgic, Lost Empires, follows Richard from his naïve, country upbringing to join his uncle Nick Ollanton, a famous music hall illusionist - known as the Indian Magician, Ganga Dun. The mystery of illusions, on and off the stage, is eventually shattered for Richard, whose dream of becoming a famous painter becomes sidetracked while he contends with men gone nearly insane, the lusts of countless women, and a murder that hangs over his head. As Lost Empires opens, looming on the horizon is World War I, which will destroy so much of Britain's tradition, including the great era of the Empire music hall. Soon the cinema will replace the eccentric and colorful performers whose home is the world of variety.
• Cast: Colin Firth, John Castle, Gillian Bevan, Neil Boorman, Mike Edmonds, Ted Morris, Clive Willbond-Hill, Carmen Du Sautoy, John Ballanger, Francesca McGregor, Jean Marie Segal, Larbi Slemane, Beatie Edney, Brian Glover, Anthony Newlands, Emil Wolk, Jane Arden, John Asquith, Stephen Brigden, Rio Fortune, Brenda Larenty, Bruce Morrison, Mike Mosebury, Claude Walloon, Pamela Stephenson, Jim Carter, Carrie Davies, Jane Eaglen, Weston Gavin, Alfred Marks, Big Mick, Kenneth Nelson, Julia Parrott, Charlotte Plowright, Patricia Quinn, Jeffrey Segal, Colin Bower, Ian Curteis, J.B. Priestley
• Runtime: 6:50
• Company: Acorn Media, ITV Studios Home Entertainment
• Media Format: Series