Save your money for something good and enjoyable

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

It was wonderful,If you are into "English period drama films" with all the gloomy,grey skied ambiance in the backround, this is the movie to watch,based on it's literary counterpart,a novel by Daniel Defoe It's about a woman, and she must live day by day through a struggle, and does many unethical, immoral things to survive, She ends up being sent to prison for her crimes and awaiting a hanging , only to be forgiven and sent to America, In this movie, you will see many "realistic" sexual scenes, and because many of the characters she has these scenes with are very "unattractive people" old men, the like.....It makes the movie quite "realistic" and "believable" for a drama piece,and you can nearly "feel her pain and anguish" If I must say so myself, Even though the movie does at times have a few "happy" moments, they are always the sad moments that follows, hence the "fortunes and misfortunes" of poor Moll Flanders.I cried a few tears for Moll, and the movie gives it a "twist of fate" ending.I liked this version of this film better than any other.

Alex Kingston IS Moll Flanders. Please, forget the cotton-candy version that has Morgan Freeman in the cast (though, I _adore_ Stockard Channing). This is the real thing! We get to see the real, harsh struggles of Moll in this adaptation, and how out of the muck and grime Moll finds herself. There is no happy ending here, you can bet that, but at least you get a real story that is more appropriate to the times. That is worth much more to me than a smiling happy face, in the end. This is a real, gritty film - not cheap. Highly recommended.

You may find yourself watching this entire 4-hour movie all in one sitting like I did. Although it is a Mobil Masterpiece Theater presentation, it is also available on video. If you think you're in for some boring English drama, brace yourself, as it is very fast-paced, erotic, and often shockingly funny. Alex Kingston (now on "ER") delves into this role with a ferocity we rarely see on the screen. Although Moll does many bad things, we root for her the whole way. Diana Rigg is also a hoot as a mother-in-law that reveals herself to be something more. Daniel Defoe's condemnation of society as unforgiving of the monsters it creates is still as relevant today as when it was written. As long as you have an open mind about sex, nudity and immoral behavior onscreen, prepare to be fascinated.

Good story. I am glad I didn't invite the kids to watch with me. Should have been warned though. "The more things change, the more they stay the same," is the thought I had after viewing the 18th century set drama. Loved Diana Rigg.