The Spoils of Poynton

5.5

1970•45m

The Spoils of Poynton is a 1970 British television miniseries based on Henry James' 1897 novel of the same name. Adapted by Denis Constanduros, the four-part series stars Pauline Jameson, Ian Oglivy, and Gemma Jones. When her husband dies, Mrs Adele Gereth quarrels with her carefree son Owen over the family estate and his desire to marry for love, not money.

Production

Seasons

4 Episodes • Premiered 1970

When her husband dies, Mrs Adele Gereth quarrels with her carefree son Owen over the family estate and his desire to marry for love, not money.

1. Pride of Possession

The cultivated Mrs Adela Gereth is worried that her son Owen will marry Mona Brigstock - she considers Mona to be brash and completely unsuitable. Owen soon gets engaged to Mona and expects to take over Poynton, the family's large country house, which is filled with valuable antique furniture, pictures and collections. Mrs Gereth does not want to let go of the house, but she is even more attached to the contents.

2. Sharp Practice

Owen asks his friend Fleda Vetch to help him to persuade his mother to clear out of Poynton. Mrs Gereth decides to move to another house on the estate, called Ricks. But she does not plan to lose her favorite pictures and pieces of furniture as well.

3. Trial of Strength

Fleda visits Mrs Gereth at Ricks and finds she has furnished it with all the best furniture and pictures from Poynton. Mona Brigstock is angry with what she looks on as this theft. Meanwhile, Owen is now more attracted to Fleda than to Mona and tells Fleda of his love for her - but she says he should honor his promise to Mona, unless she lets him go.

4. Retribution

Mrs Gereth returns all the best furniture to Poynton, just before Owen and Mona get married, and they go abroad on their honeymoon. Owen writes to Fleda, inviting her to choose one item from the house for herself. She goes to Poynton, but finds it has gone up in flames, along with all of its contents.