The Vicar of Wakefield (1910)

In the heart of pastoral England resides the cultured yet economically disadvantaged Vicar of Wakefield. Despite inheriting a substantial fortune, the vicar, a scholarly man with a lack of business acumen, succumbs to the deceitful machinations of others, leaving him at fifty years old in a humble cottage, fervently striving to support his extensive family. Two strangers cross paths with the vicar at this critical juncture. One is a young squire, the proprietor of the vicar's residence, and the other, under the guise of a plain country gentleman, is none other than Sir Witham, the squire's uncle. The squire becomes smitten with the Vicar's elder daughter, Olivia, and despite her father's forewarnings, she is lured into a planned elopement with him, entangled in the shambles of a fraudulent marriage. As Olivia unearths the deception, she distances herself from the squire, sparking his rage that descends upon the entire family, landing the vicar in prison for debt. Behind prison walls, the Vicar's charisma and teachings of faith earn him the respect and love of his fellow inmates. Among them is the squire's accomplice, the architect of the sham wedding. Upon realizing Olivia's parentage, he confesses that out of spite for the squire, he had employed a legitimate minister instead of a counterfeit one. Learning of this twist, Sir Witham, revealing his true identity, coerces the squire to beg Olivia's forgiveness on bended knee, culminating in their reunion. Sir Witham then seeks the hand of Sophia, the Vicar's other daughter, setting the stage for a brighter future. With the Vicar's release from prison, he and his family stand on the precipice of a life filled with happiness and prosperity.

The Vicar of Wakefield is a drama movie featuring Martin Faust and directed by Theodore Marston.

The Vicar of Wakefield is currently streaming on Fandor.