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The series opens in England just before the outbreak of World War I and tells the story of a bad marriage and a love triangle involving an old-fashioned son of a nobleman, Christopher Tietjens, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, his beautiful but cruel wife Sylvia, played by Rebecca Hall, and lovely Valentine Wannop, a young suffragette played by Adelaide Clemens. Christophers marriage to Sylvia is unhappy, and eventually she leaves him for another man. While on vacation, Christopher meets Valentine, but he remains faithful to his wife. The couple reconcile, but their marriage is unstable and their future uncertain.
When war is declared, Christopher goes to fight in France, leaving behind Sylvia and a son who may not be his. He survives the nightmare of war, but eventually he must choose who to spend his life with, his wife Sylvia or the adoring Valentine.
The film was largely shot in Kent at Dorton House and St. Thomas a Becket Church. Some of the atmospheric scenes were shot at Freemasons' Hall in London and Duncombe Park. Additional scenes were shot in Belgium, with the Western Front recreated in Flanders.
The films stars are young English actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Rebecca Hall. Cumberbatch is best known for playing Sherlock Holmes in the BBCs series Sherlock in 2010. Rebecca has appeared in a number of films, including The Town and Frost/Nixon. Adelaide Clemens, who plays Valentine, is an Australian actress who will also appear in the 2013 film The Great Gatsby.
Tom Stoppard is no stranger to adapting novels to the screen. His prior adaptations include Anna Karenina, Enigma, Poodle Springs and The Russian House.
The series has received a number of awards, including the 2012 year's Broadcasting Press Guild Awards for best drama series, with Benedict Cumberbatch and Rebecca Hall winning best actor and best actress, and Tom Stoppard winning the writer's award.
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Parade's End Full Episode Guide
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Christopher fights on the Front with McKechnie and Perowne. Valentine is waiting for the news of Christopher. Sylvia makes a final, desperate play for Christopher.
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At Rouen, Christopher tries to get the soldiers ready for the draft. While in London Sylvia decides to go see her husband in France, oblivious to the consequences it will have on him.
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Many rumors about Christopher start to circulate which leads to tragedy at Groby, his family estate. Sylvia finds a new admirer and Valentine moves to London. Edith and MacMaster plan to spend their lives together.
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Sylvia and Christopher are reunited publicly but their private relationship is still turbulent. Christopher is torn between his marriage and Valentine.
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Christopher Tietjens marries cruel socialite Sylvia. She constantly flirts with other men, he Ignores it and remains faithful to her, even after he encounters young suffragette Valentine.
