Mother rules the house with an iron hand and has such power over her daughters that they see themselves as becoming old unmarried, maids. Jodie has feelings for the local doctor, a man much older than her, for which her mother strongly disapproves. Beth finds a relationship with a male stripper in Bristol, but sees nothing in the future with Mother around. While both girls would like to be rid of Mother, nothing happens until Jodie sees images of H. R. Armstrong, the man who put the town on the map by dispatching his un-loving wife
Jane Horrocks
as Jodie Greenwood
Brenda Fricker
as Iris Greenwood
Imelda Staunton
as Beth Greenwood
Jonathan Pryce
as Dr. Ted Philips
Edward Woodward
as Maj. Herbert Armstrong
Billie Whitelaw
as Kate Webster
Hywel Bennett
as Dr Crippen
Jonathan Hyde
as George Joseph Smith
John Mills
as Jack the Ripper
Ian Abbey
as Bunny
Eleanor Bron
as Judge
Roger Frost
as Rev. Horace Cotton
