Sorrowful at the departure of his mentor and only friend, the local school master, 11-year-old Jude Fawley resolves that one day he'll follow his teacher to academia - as symbolised by the gleaming spires of distant Christminster.

Growing up, however, Jude finds more obstacles in his path then merely difficulties of study...

Thomas Hardy's 1895 novel dramatised in six parts by Elizabeth North.

Stars Michael Pennington as Jude Fawley, Mark Straker as Carter, June Barrie as Widow Edlin, Constance Chapman as Aunt Drusilla Fawley, Hazel Ellerby as Annie, John Normington as Phillotson, Elva Makins as Arabella, Jesse Lawrence as Young Jude, Esmond Rideout as Farmer Troutham and Richard Wasley as Tiler.

Produced at BBC Bristol by Brian Miller.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1986. Show less