These Are the Times: The Life of Thomas Paine

PART 1: COMMON SENSE

Tom Paine arrives in America penniless just as the struggle for Independence is beginning. His ideas and his writings take him right to the heart of events and his words are read out to Washington's army.

PART 2: AGE OF REASON

Tom Paine is again embroiled in revolution, this time in France. During the Terror his best efforts for the new Republic put him in prison, and American help is a long time coming.

Cast:

Jonathan Pryce ..............Tom Paine
Alan Howard ..................Benjamin Franklin
Kenneth Cranham .......... Jefferson
Romola Garai ................ Carney
Francois Guetary............ Danton
Robert Glenister..............Gouvernour Morris
Kelly Hunter....................Marthe Daley
Philip Jackson................Washington
Will Keen ......................Short
John McAndrew..............Lafayette
Marcella Riordan ........... Mrs Downey
Paul Jesson...................Sam Adams/Edmund Burke
Hugh Ross.....................House Speaker/Bancal
Jack Shepherd............... Rittenhouse/Clio Rickman
Nick Rowe......................Joseph/Monroe
Clare Perkins................. Sally Hemmings
Christopher Obi.............. Father
Kwayedza Kureya ..........Will/Thomas
Julia Reinstein ............... Lotte

Written by Trevor Griffiths
Music by John Tams
Directed by Clive Brill
Produced by Ann Scott
A Greenpoint production
in association with Richard Attenborough (First broadcast on Radio 4).