The Age of Innocence (1976 film)

The Age of Innocence is a 1976 British television adaptation of Edith Wharton's 1920 novel of the same name. It was directed by Alan Bridges and starred Beverly Garland as Countess Olenska, and Martin Potter as Newland Archer.

This adaptation offers a compressed version of the novel’s narrative, focusing on the central love triangle between Newland Archer, his fiancée May Welland, and the unconventional Countess Olenska. It aired on BBC Two as part of their Play of the Month series.

While often overshadowed by Martin Scorsese's more widely known 1993 film adaptation, the 1976 version presents a different interpretation of Wharton's work, often considered more intimate and focused on the interior struggles of the characters. Critical reception at the time was mixed, with some praising the performances and fidelity to the source material, while others criticized the budget limitations and pacing. It is now mostly remembered for its contributions to the history of television adaptations of classic literature.