''The Cinder Path'' is a three part 1994 tv series produced by Yorkshire/Tyne Tees and directed by Simon Langton and based on the novel of the same name by

Catherine Cookson Dame Catherine Ann Cookson, DBE (''née'' McMullen; 20 June 1906 – 11 June 1998) was a British writer. She is in the top 20 of the most widely read British novelists, with sales topping 100 million, while retaining a relatively low profile i ...

Plot introduction

In the English countryside of the early 20th century, the prosperous, middle class farmer's son Charlie MacFell must deal with a cruel and tyrannical father and later with a romantic tangle and a problematic marriage. He must keep, as well, a dark secret which must stay hidden at all costs. Later, he is taken into the British Army fighting on the Western Front of the

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

, where the shadows of his past pursue him and lead to a climax.

Film

* Screenplay:

Alan Seymour Alan Seymour (6 June 192723 March 2015) was an Australian playwright and author. He is best known for the play ''The One Day of the Year'' (1958). His international reputation rests not only on this early play, but also on his many screenplays, ...

* Music:

Barrington Pheloung Barrington Somers James Pheloung (10 May 1954 – 1 August 2019) was an Australian composer based in the United Kingdom. He composed several television theme tunes and music, particularly for ''Inspector Morse'' and its follow-up series, ''Lewi ...

* Executive Producers: Ray Townsend & Keith Richardson * Producer: Ray Marshall * Director: Simon Langton

Cast

Lloyd Owen Richard Marcus Lloyd Owen (born 14 April 1966) is an English actor. Trained at the National Youth Theatre and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, he is known for portraying Indiana Jones's father Professor Dr. Henry Jones, Sr. in ...

– as Charlie MacFell *

Catherine Zeta-Jones Catherine Zeta-Jones (; born 25 September 1969) is a Welsh actress. Known for her versatility, she is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and a Tony Award. In 2010, she was appointed C ...

– as Victoria Chapman *

Polly Adams Pauline "Polly" Adams (born 27 August 1939) is an English actress best known for her work on the stage both in England and in the United States, and for her portrayal of Mrs. Brown on the television series ''Just William''. She made her Broadwa ...

- as Florence Chapman *

Ralph Ineson Ralph Michael Ineson (; born 15 December 1969) is an English actor and narrator. Known for his deep, rumbling, Yorkshire-accented voice, his most notable roles include William in '' The Witch'', Dagmer Cleftjaw in ''Game of Thrones'', Amycus Ca ...

- as Arthur Benton * Tom Bell - as Edward MacFell * Maria Miles - as Nellie Chapman * Anthony Byrne - as Ginger Slater *

Rosalind Ayres Rosalind Ayres (born 7 December 1946) is an English actress, director and producer. Active since 1970, Ayres is well known for her role in the 1997 film ''Titanic'', in which she played Lucy, Lady Duff-Gordon. Her husband, Martin Jarvis, playe ...

- as Mary MacFell * Victoria Scarborough - as Betty MacFell *

Lucy Akhurst Lucy Akhurst (born 18 November 1970) is an English actress, writer and director who has been working mainly in television since the 1990s. She starred alongside Neil Morrissey in ''The Vanishing Man'' and then came to prominence in a lead role in ...

- as Polly Benton

External links

* Western Front (World War I) films 1994 British television series debuts 1994 British television series endings 1990s British drama television series ITV television dramas 1990s British television miniseries World War I television series Television shows based on British novels Television shows set in County Durham Television shows set in Northumberland Television series by ITV Studios Television shows produced by Tyne Tees Television English-language television shows Films directed by Simon Langton {{WWI-film-stub