MYSTERY!: BRAT FARRAR {EPISODE 3} (TV)

Summary

This three-part dramatic miniseries, adapted from the 1949 novel by Josephine Tey, tells the story of the foundling Brat Farrar and his attempt to impersonate the long-lost heir to the Ashby fortune. The third episode begins as host Vincent Price recaps the events of the first two parts, and the program begins as Brat again examines the cliffside where Patrick allegedly died, recalling Beatrice's testimony that the boy had been bird-watching that day and did not seem depressed, and that his body was never found. He encounters a blacksmith, who recognizes him as the long-lost twin, and says that Simon had been "in and out" of his shop on the day of Patrick's disappearance. Elsewhere, Beatrice is concerned when Eleanor mentions Simon's excessive drinking and his outburst to Brat. Brat procures a map from Gregg and studies the nearby Melchett Quarry, which Gregg says is too dangerous to explore. Simon spends time alone with Sheila, who asks if he hates his brother, and he says that he and Patrick have "nothing in common." At Latchetts, Eleanor offers Brat various colors for the upcoming horse show, and becomes uncomfortable under his intense gaze. When Simon confronts Brat again, Brat accuses him of knowing how Patrick truly died, but Simon refuses to explain, threatening Brat's life if he signs anything to accept the inheritance, but they are awkwardly interrupted by the family's birthday celebration.

Brat continues researching the details of the day of Patrick's death, and he encounters George, who admits that he cannot "fathom him out." Despite Simon's threat, Brat signs the papers and becomes the legal owner of Latchetts, though he declares that his relatives should have bigger allowances and that Simon deserves some piece of the estate. On the day of the horse show, Alec joins George and the Ashbys to watch the events, and Alec corners Brat to demand his share of the money, planning to head for Australia with it. Simon performs various jumping feats on Timber, though Brat remains focused on Eleanor. Simon brushes off Brat's praise of his talents, but allows him to take his place on Timber in the race when he asks. Brat enters the race and rides skillfully, but his saddle soon falls off. He finishes the race bareback and even manages to win, impressing everyone, though he discovers that Simon tampered with the saddle on purpose. Later, Brat meets Alec and hands over the money, and Brat admits that both Simon and George know the truth, though he swears that Simon in fact murdered Patrick. Alec warns him that he has no proof and will not be believed, suggesting that Brat should merely run away with his fortune. Brat worries about leaving Simon with Eleanor and the others, and Alec leaves for Australia, unconcerned.

Uncle Charles calls to say that he will soon arrive, and Brat secretly meets with George at the rectory and confesses that which George already knows. Brat explains his theory about Patrick's murder and Simon's current attempts to murder him as well, but George tells him that he has no case, and Brat decides to handle it himself, heading off for the quarry with Simon in pursuit. He rappels down into the valley and finds Patrick's binoculars and pen at the bottom, as well as a human skull. Simon surprises him at the top and freely admits to the murder of his twin, and George arrives just in time to see them struggle as Simon cuts Brat's climbing rope, sending them both careening into the gorge. Sometime later, at the hospital, Beatrice and George wonder what to do if "he" regains consciousness, and George frets that he should have spoken up about Brat's deception sooner. Beatrice admits that "he" is still like family, and it is revealed that Brat lived and Simon died. Eleanor is deeply upset and Beatrice wonders about her true feelings for Brat, and when Uncle Charles arrives and finally meets Brat, he guesses that he is actually an Ashby after all and discovers that he is his late brother Walter's child from an affair with a cook, making him a cousin. He tells Brat that he no longer has a claim on the estate, but Brat swears that he cared only about belonging to a family and not about the money. He eventually leaves the hospital and returns to Latchetts, where he and Eleanor give in to their attraction to one another, and the family welcomes their new relative home. Commercials deleted.

Details

NETWORK: PBS WGBH Boston, MA
DATE: November 27, 1986 9:00 PM
RUNNING TIME: 1:00:00
COLOR/B&W: Color
CATALOG ID: B:77414
GENRE: Drama, mystery/suspense
SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, mystery/suspense; England; Miniseries
SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1986
COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

Terrance Dicks … Producer
Rebecca Eaton … Producer
Leonard Lewis … Director
James Andrew Hall … Writer
Josephine Tey … Based on the book by
Dave Greenslade … Music by
Vincent Price … Host
Mark Greenstreet … Cast, Brat Farrar / Simon Ashby
Francis Matthews … Cast, Alec Loding
Angela Browne … Cast, Beatrice Ashby
Frederick Treves … Cast, George Ledingham
Philip Stone … Cast, Uncle Charles
Dominique Barnes … Cast, Eleanor Ashby
Jeremy Young … Cast, Mr. Gregg
Phillip Doulton … Cast, Dr. Roger Spence
Nicholas Goldwyn … Cast, Race Commentator
Denise Margetts … Cast, Lana
Ravinder Valia … Cast, Sister Green
Victoria Bradley … Cast, Jane Ashby
Rebecca Bradley … Cast, Ruth Ashby
Dylan Dolan … Cast, Tony Toselli