The Glittering Prizes

⭐6.0(2 votes)

•1976

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Episodes

1. An Early Life

In 1953 Adam Morris wins a scholarship to Cambridge, a stepping-stone for those with ambition to build lives and careers. In his first year at college he makes several new friends and a few enemies. He sets out to antagonise his upper-class roommate but soon finds himself in deeper water than he had anticipated.

2. A Love Life

In 1955, in their final year at Cambridge, Adam's friends make their preparation for life in the outside world, some by laying the foundation stones of their careers, many pairing off in the marriage stakes, a few by doing both.

3. A Past Life

In 1960, Adam Morris publishes his first novel, starts to write for movies and decides he wishes to confront a formidable adversary - the brilliant but dangerous Stephen Taylor, one of the main supporters of British fascism in the 30s.

4. A Country Life

In 1964, Alan Parks, now a notorious television interviewer, decides to visit the country with his wife Barbara. They descend on their old Cambridge friends Joyce and Dan Bradley - disrupting their quiet lives.

5. An Academic Life

In 1970, Bill Bourne returns from America to work at a new university where several of his old college friends are now teaching. They find themselves taunted by a new generation of students for their outdated 'Cambridge' approach to life.

6. A Double Life

In 1976, Adam Morris, now a rich and successful writer, has more than his share of the 'glittering prizes'. He is happily married, with two children. Despite all this, Adam is still not satisfied, and he attempts to come to terms with his material success by leading a double life.

Overview

The Glittering Prizes is a British television drama about the changing lives of a group of Cambridge students, starting in 1952 and following them through to middle age in the 1970s. It was first broadcast on BBC2 in 1976.