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Are there any movies that feature Victorian workhouses, prisons or orphanages?

38 replies

Greensleeves · 05/04/2022 19:28

I'm writing a novel which involves all of these institutions, and I'm surprised at how few popular movies there seem to be that have these settings.

I've seen Alias Grace, Affinity, Wilde, A Little Princess, Oliver Twist and The Trials Of Oscar Wilde. Can anyone recommend anything else? It doesn't have to be any good! Grin Purely for research purposes, and because my neurodiverse brain can only deal with things I'm currently obsessed with.

OP posts:
Legoisthebest · 05/04/2022 19:35

Not a film but the TV series Hetty Feather is set in a foundling hospital (like an orphanage). It is a telly show for kids so isn't as horrible as it probably actually was in real life.
Some of the old Catherine Cookson dramas might have some.

Greensleeves · 05/04/2022 19:36

Ooh, I haven't seen Hetty Feather, though I'm aware of the book.

Thank you Flowers

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ModerationInEverything · 05/04/2022 19:42

Little Dorrit has a debtor's prison.
The Mill has some orphanage and work house references.

Antarcticant · 05/04/2022 19:46

You might enjoy the 2014 Channel 4 series 'The Mill' - based on real events at Quarry Bank Mill. It's about children who were taken from workhouses to be mill-workers - and to receive an education.

Greensleeves · 05/04/2022 19:46

Oh, brilliant! Thank you - I will watch all of these (and my family will have to lump it) Grin

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Antarcticant · 05/04/2022 19:47

x-post!

Palavah · 05/04/2022 19:49

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, i think

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 05/04/2022 19:53

Another CBBC one is Dodger... not workhouses exactly but street children of that era.

Call the Midwife has characters that were in workhouses when younger. (Jennifer Worth had a book specifically about these cases).

ToothGrinder · 05/04/2022 19:54

Amazon Empire: The Rise And Reign Of Jeff Bezos

thecurtainsofdestiny · 05/04/2022 19:54

The Professor and the Madman - not a prison but a secure psychiatric hospital. Set in the 1800s.

Antarcticant · 05/04/2022 19:56

If you are anywhere near Cheshire, Quarry Bank Mill is well worth a visit - it's a National Trust property.

PangolinPie · 05/04/2022 19:56

@Greensleeves

I'm writing a novel which involves all of these institutions, and I'm surprised at how few popular movies there seem to be that have these settings.

I've seen Alias Grace, Affinity, Wilde, A Little Princess, Oliver Twist and The Trials Of Oscar Wilde. Can anyone recommend anything else? It doesn't have to be any good! Grin Purely for research purposes, and because my neurodiverse brain can only deal with things I'm currently obsessed with.

Can't add to the suggestions but I remember you posted an excerpt of some of your writing a while back and it was excellent - good luck to you.
Taytotots · 05/04/2022 19:57

Jane Eyre -although Lowood is strictly a charity school rather than orphanage.

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 05/04/2022 19:57

It's a book but Montmorency ?

Greensleeves · 05/04/2022 19:57

@PangolinPie that is lovely of you - thank you! Flowers

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PangolinPie · 05/04/2022 19:57

Argh I don't know why I quoted your OP, completely unnecessary but the sentiment stands Grin

Greensleeves · 05/04/2022 19:58

@Taytotots

Jane Eyre -although Lowood is strictly a charity school rather than orphanage.
I watched the version with Ruth Wilson yesterday! Grin
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Mysteryclub · 05/04/2022 20:00

Sorry, not strictly the Victorian era but the first half of the 20th Century- Cider House Rules

thecurtainsofdestiny · 05/04/2022 20:02

Also have you been down the urban explorer YouTube rabbit hole? Those videos often show Victorian buildings like this orphanage:

Bumpinthenight · 05/04/2022 20:03

The new CBBC series Dodger.

MrsWobble3 · 05/04/2022 20:05

Fingersmith might interest you

Soubriquet · 05/04/2022 20:05

Stoneherst asylum on Netflix is about an asylum with a very interesting twist at the end

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 05/04/2022 20:07

BBC series Casualty 1900s is fab, set in the Royal London Hospital and shows medical care for rich and poor in that time period. Really shows how quickly the field has progressed since then!

Not sure it's available on BBC anymore but it can be purchased on Prime.

BattledoreAndShuttlecock · 05/04/2022 20:10

Seconding the BBC tv adaptation of Little Dorris, which is largely set in a debtor's prison.

tigerbird · 05/04/2022 20:13

For a bit of light relief, try the fantastic comedy series “Quacks”!

Also the television adaptation of “The Crimson Petal and the White” was excellent.

And of course loads of adaptations over recent years of The Woman in White, Great Expectations, Bleak House etc. - some great BBC versions from the 2000s.