The Mayor of Casterbridge is a British TV movie, produced by Georgina Lowe for Sally Head Productions and directed by David Thacker,[1] based on the 1886 novel by Thomas Hardy.

As in the original story, Michael Henchard, in a drunken moment, auctions his wife, Susan, and infant child to a passing seaman.

Years later, Susan meets up with an apparently contrite Henchard, but he subsequently reverts to his original stubborn and unyielding character.

In this version of the story, Henchard appears to be aware of his defects of character but, in the end, is unable to get past them because the traditional social tool of forgiveness constantly eludes him.

[citation needed] Even though his character is deeply flawed, Henchard does evoke considerable sympathy because his salvation requires only a change of heart.