Joseph Andrews (1977): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1977, Joseph Andrews is a comedy and romance film directed by Tony Richardson, running about 99 minutes. “A lady's secrets. A servant's lust. A lover's betrayal.” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Lady Booby alias 'Belle', the lively wife of the fat landed squire Sir Thomas Booby, has a lusty eye on the attractive, intelligent villager Joseph Andrews, a Latin pupil and protégé of parson Adams, and makes him their footman. Joseph's heart belongs to a country girl, foundling Fanny Goodwill, but his masters take him on a fashionable trip to Bath, where the spoiled society comes mainly to see and be seen, but drowns in the famous Roman baths. When the all but grieving lady finds Joseph's Christian virtue and true love resist her lusting passes just as well as the many ladies who fancy her footman, she fires the boy. He's found and nursed by an innkeeper's maid, which stirs lusts there, again besides his honorable conduct, but is found by the good parson.

Who’s in it. Joseph Andrews stars Ann-Margret as Lady Booby alias "Belle", Peter Firth as Joseph Andrews, Michael Hordern as Parson Adams and Beryl Reid as Mrs. Slipslop, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 4.1/10, Joseph Andrews has proved divisive with audiences.

Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Joseph Andrews page.

If you liked it. Fans of Joseph Andrews tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.