an inspired adaptation by michael voysey of mrs gaskell’s final novel, widely lauded as her masterpiece'. '.strtoupper('f')irst broadcast on bbc one in 1971'. '.strtoupper('t')his tender and intimate adaptation of the classic novel by elizabeth gaskell stars zhivila roche, alan macnaughtan, helen christie and sheila fay'. '.strtoupper('d')irected by hugh david, and adapted by michael voysey'. '.strtoupper('f')ocusing on the fortunes of three families – the gibsons, the hamleys and the cumnors – in the english village of hollingford, wives and daughters is a poignant coming of age story, a lively romance and, not least, a witty comedy of manners'. '.strtoupper('a')t the centre of the story is 17 year old molly gibson, a passionate, forthright girl'. '.strtoupper('w')hen her father, the widowed local doctor, decides to remarry, molly’s life is thrown into chaos as she acquires an unwanted stepmother and a beautiful stepsister'. '.strtoupper('t')hough completely different, the two girls become instant friends'. '.strtoupper('t')he lovable but worldly cynthia brings molly both joys and woes'. '.strtoupper('m')en are often at the heart of these emotions – in the form of squire hamley’s sons osborne and roger, and the mysterious mr preston, who puts both their reputations at risk'. '.strtoupper('m')olly soon finds herself caught up in the bewildering worlds of love and betrayal, social expectations and family secrets'. '.strtoupper('