The Red and The Black

A BBC Radio drama of Stendhal's masterpiece - plus bonus documentary Both a sweeping chronicle of 19th Century France and a coming-of-age story of a young, idealistic social climber, The Red and the Black is one of the great works in world literature, and widely considered to be the first psychological novel. It charts the misadventures and romantic escapades of Julien Sorel, a timber miller's son who idolises Napoleon and dreams of military glory. But post-Waterloo, the path to power does not lie with the army (the 'red'), but the Church (the 'black'), so he decides to study for the priesthood. Then an opportunity arises to further increase his status as tutor to the Mayor's children - and when the Mayor's wife, Mme de Renal, falls in love with him, he seduces her. Their affair is discovered, and he is forced to leave Verrières and enter the seminary - only for his life to be transformed when his mentor, Abbé Pirard, finds him a job in Paris, as private secretary to the aristocratic Marquis de la Mole. Finally, Julien has an entrée into high society - and when he wins the heart of the Marquis' beautiful, haughty daughter Mathilde, he seems to have the world at his feet. But as his past returns to haunt him, Julien commits a terrible crime that will seal his fate... A gripping tale of love, ambition, morality and hypocrisy, The Red and the Black was adapted as an award-winning 1954 film by Claude Autant-Lara, and televised as a 1993 BBC mini-series starring Ewan McGregor. This lively, fast-paced radio adaptation stars William Squire as the Narrator and Andrew Hall as Julien, with a cast including Margo Gunn, Deborah Paige and Edward de Souza. Also included is the fascinating documentary feature Stendhal and Napoleon, in which Andy Martin tells how Stendahl followed Napoleon across Europe to Moscow in 1812 as catering manager to the troops - and changed fiction in the process. Production credits Written by Stendhal Translated by C.K. Scott Moncrieff Dramatised by D. G. Bridson Directed by Brian Miller Cast Narrator - William Squire Julien Sorel - Andrew Hall Mme de Renal - Deborah Paige Napoleon - Edward de Souza Mme Derville - Marilyn Le Conte M de Renal - John Franklyn-Robbins Fouqué - Norman Eshley Elise/Adolphe - Debby Comming Valenod/Guillaume - Esmond Rideout Mme Valenod/Marquise de la Mole - Margaret Robertson Abbé Chelan - Hedley Goodall Amanda - Rosalind Adams Abbé Pirard - Malcolm Hayes Student/Bishop/Antoine - Andrew Hilton Abbé Castenede - Roger Snowdon Abbé Chas Bernard - Haydn Andrews Examiner/Stewart - John Livesey Marquis de la Mole - Cyril Shaps Mlle Mathilde - Margo Gunn Norbert - Sion Probert Croisenois - Jon Glentoran Caylus/Coachman - Stephen Garlick Thayler/Lt Lievin - Anthony Hyde Chevalier de Beauvoisis - Alexander John Conde Altamira/Friar - Nicholas Courtney Academician - Christopher Scott Mathilde's cousin - Amanda Murray Queen Marguerite - Theresa Streatfeild Prince Korasoff - John Rye Mme la Margchal - Pauline Letts Gunsmith - John Webb Jailer - David Timson Magistrate - Alan Dudley Père Sorel - Jerold Wells First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 2 August-13 September 1981 Stendhal and Napoleon Presented by Andy Martin Produced by Tim Dee First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 9 December 2012 © 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd