The History of Mr. Polly

Anyone who has ever fancied being transported to a better life will appreciate the plight of passive Victorian shopkeeper Alfred Polly, played to Walter Mitty-esque perfection by British comedian Lee Evans (MouseHunt, There’s Something About Mary). Despite the best of intentions, the long-suffering Polly has drifted—rather than charted a steady course—through the turbulent seas of adulthood. When a suicide attempt proves unsuccessful, a twist of fate transforms Polly into a hero. Finally freed from the shackles of an unloving wife (Anne-Marie Duff, The Virgin Queen, Notes on a Scandal), and far from his failing business, Alfred’s life takes an upturn in the arms of delightful country innkeeper Nancy (Julie Graham, At Home with the Braithwaites, William & Mary). This superb adaptation of H.G. Wells’ classic novel is highly recommended for dreamers and do-ers alike.

Written by H.G. Wells
Screenplay by Adrian Hodges
Directed by Gillies MacKinnon
Produced by Katherine Lannon
Executive Produced by Michael Buck, Linda James, Damien Timmer
Original Music by James Edward Barker, Tim Despic
Cinematography by Nigel Willoughby
Film Editing by Scott Thomas