On a crisp autumn morning in 1903, a young woman seeks employment in a fashionable London townhouse.On a crisp autumn morning in 1903, a young woman seeks employment in a fashionable London townhouse.On a crisp autumn morning in 1903, a young woman seeks employment in a fashionable London townhouse.
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis episode takes place in November 1903.
- GoofsWhen Sarah snuffs out the candle, the light goes out before the candle, then the camera starts to move in for a closeup and the bedside table is moved left very swiftly to allow the camera to get closer.
- Alternate versionsAn original black and white version recorded on 13 November 1970 and never shown to the public it was withdrawn half way through production, it was then junked, it is not known to exist.This episode was replaced by a color version that was recorded on 27 May 1971 and aired on 10 October 1971. The original black and white episode was completed and broadcast in the UK, as it was made during the colour strike, where the TV unions refused to work with the new colour equipment. Several episodes were made in black and white because of this, which were excluded from overseas sales. The first episode, "On Trial", was remade in colour, with an altenate ending, to explain Sarah's absence in the colour episodes, before her return later in the series. The original black and white episode has only been repeated on UK TV once, when Channel 4 had a complete run in the mid-'80s. Subsequent repeats on ITV3 skipped the black and white episodes and used the remade "On Trial".
- ConnectionsFeatured in TV Heaven: TV Heaven 1971 (1992)
- SoundtracksThe Edwardians: Theme from Upstairs Downstairs
(uncredited)
Composed by Alexander Faris (1971)
instrumental version heard under main titles
Featured review
TheTrial is incredibly good
When I first watched Upstairs Downstairs which began with this episode on Masterpiece Theater, I was unaware of what kind of a treat would be presented. It will be hard to rate the episodes lower than 10, because this is my favorite series ever---and I am now a senior citizen. The story is excellent, the acting wonderful-- I feel the characters are my friends. Though I know the plot well enough now to recite many of the lines, I still watch the series over and over. For me,it has gotten beyond the script. There is soul in the series. I was intrigued with the "busy" atmosphere--Roberts looking for buttons and gloves, Mrs. Bridges fussing in the kitchen, and Rose doing her duty. And then-Sarah!
helpful•120
- sjm887
- Jun 10, 2006
Details
- Runtime50 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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Top Gap
What is the broadcast (satellite or terrestrial TV) release date of On Trial (1971) in Australia?
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