Nominated for two BAFTAs with direction and screenplay by Michael Radford, this crime dramatisation was based on a novel by James Fox entitled White Mischief: The Murder of Lord Erroll. It recounts the events surrounding what was termed the ‘Happy Valley’ murder case, which actually took place in Kenya in 1941. Sir Henry ‘Jock’ Delves Broughton (Joss Ackland) was accused and subsequently tried for the murder of the Earl of Erroll, Josslyn Hay (Charles Dance) following an affair his wife, Diana Broughton (Greta Scacchi). John Hurt plays Gilbert Colville, who despite living with the local people is still accepted by the Happy Valley crowd.
Release / Airing: 22/04/1988
Locations used for this production:
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Wrotham Park, Barnet >
The story begins in 1940’s England in the early stages of World War II. In the opening scenes a warplane flies over the roof of a manor house (Wrotham Park) as Jock Broughton walks down the steps to his garden. Having declared he wants to sell the estate and move to Africa, he is advised against the idea. Meanwhile his beautiful wife, Diana approaches on horseback. Later that evening she confesses to her friend, Hugh Cholmondeley (Hugh Grant) that she loves elderly men because they have more money!
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