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The Mill on the Floss

The Mill on the Floss

TV movie199790 minMidcredits score: 36th percentile of all films
Director
Graham Theakston
Starring
Emily Watson, James Frain, Cheryl Campbell, Bernard Hill

Lawyer Wakem takes the mill on the river Floss away from Edward Tulliver (whose ancestors have owned it for 300 years) and becomes the worst enemy of Tulliver's family. When Edward's daughter, Maggie, grows up, she falls in love with Wakem's son Philip. However, her brother Tom (true to the memory of their father) forbids her to meet him again. When she visits her cousin Lucy Deane, Lucy's fiance, Stephen Guest, falls in love with Maggie at first sight, further complicating matters.

Where to watch

Where can I watch The Mill on the Floss?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove does not list The Mill on the Floss on any major US streaming service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about The Mill on the Floss?

The Mill on the Floss earns 1 badge: Award Nominee.

Reception

Is The Mill on the Floss worth watching?

The Mill on the Floss' Midcredits score is the 36th percentile of all films, from 662 ratings across 3 sources. 43% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

36th percentile

Better received than 36% of films

32nd percentile among Drama39th percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)31st
Approval (how many liked it)42nd

56 /100

31st percentile of all films

27th percentile among Drama33rd percentile among 1990s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.1 — solid but not unanimous.

43% liked it

42nd percentile of all films

39th percentile among Drama44th percentile among 1990s
43% rated it 7–1057% rated it 1–6

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 2 noms overall

  • NominatedBAFTA Awards· Best Costume Design
  • NominatedBAFTA Awards· Best Make Up/Hair

Reach

How many have seen it

43rd percentile

662 ratings across platforms

46th percentile among Drama37th percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 30% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A visually beautiful but rushed adaptation of a dense novel that struggles to capture the book's emotional and thematic depth in its short runtime.

Fans praised

  • Emily Watson's exceptional performance as Maggie Tulliver
  • Beautiful cinematography and evocative period locations
  • Lush, romantic musical score

Detractors panned

  • Rushed, episodic pacing that dilutes emotional complexity
  • Underdeveloped supporting characters, especially Tom and Stephen
  • Story incomprehensible without prior knowledge of the novel

What stands out

Cinematography75

Beautiful locations and shots like a postcard come to life

ActingDivisive70

Emily Watson universally praised as exceptional; some supporting performances criticized as wooden or one-note

AtmosphereDivisive60

Stark, moody period setting but lacks immersion due to rushed storytelling

CharactersDivisive40

Maggie's complexity partially intact but Tom and Stephen reduced to stereotypes

Emotional impactDivisive40

Emotion diluted by lack of substance and rushed pacing

Plot and storyDivisive35

Crucial nuance excised; love story overshadows novel's intelligence

PacingDivisive25

Both rushed and dull; events feel jumpy and skimmed over

Ending20

Altered ending feels perfunctory and leaves viewers short-changed

Watch experience

What is The Mill on the Floss like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Moving and bittersweet: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want a story that moves you and leaves an ache.

It is intense, takes its time and leaves you devastated. Skip it when you want an easy night or you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings and patience.

What it feels like

Moving and bittersweet.

The answer rests on this: Moods
MelancholicRomantic
Heaviest: late
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Romantic · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its tragic love story and family conflict with grave seriousness and romantic longing, playing the material straight.
The rideThe film builds to a tragic flood that reconciles the siblings, with the heaviest emotional weight in the climax.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically from Maggie's childhood through adulthood, following a conventional structure.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Devastated.

The answer rests on this: Devastating · 3% of filmsBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayThe tragic flood leaves a sense of devastation mixed with the relief of reconciliation, lingering long after the credits.
How it ends · evidence
Tragic ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Tragedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9% (this title): Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% (this title) · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Tragedy: A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin. · Doomed love: Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).

9% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeMaggie Tulliver grows up amidst a family feud that forbids her love for Philip Wakem, leading to a tragic flood that reconciles the siblings.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsRomantic love · 15% of films
Mourns its theme: Grieves its theme, or what has been lost of it.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores the conflict between family loyalty and forbidden love, with sibling and romantic bonds tested by pride and tragedy.
StanceThe film mourns the cost of family pride and the impossibility of forbidden love, focusing on Maggie's tragic arc.

The world

19th centuryRuralDomesticWildernessRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · John Scott
SettingThe mill on the River Floss in rural England
MusicThe music has a swelling romantic richness that accompanies the tragic love story.

Cast and crew

Who is in The Mill on the Floss?

Cast

Emily Watson
as Maggie Tulliver
James Frain
as Philip Wakem
Cheryl Campbell
as Bessy Tulliver
Bernard Hill
as Edward Tulliver
Joanna David
as Sophy Deane
Shenagh Govan
as Aunt Gritty
Nicholas Gecks
as Lawyer Wakem
Peter Gunn
as Rev Stelling
Will Knightley
as Mr Glegg
Ifan Meredith
as Tom Tulliver

Crew

More like this

What are movies like The Mill on the Floss?

Movies like The Mill on the Floss include Bright Star (2009), Hilary and Jackie (1998) and The World to Come (2020). Of the 12 closest matches, most are forbidden-love stories, and most are films that feel devastating.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

9 of these 12 share its story type: period drama. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with The Mill on the Floss?

3.5K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: sibling bond. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.