The Fool is a 1990 British film, produced and directed by Christine Edzard from a script by Edzard and Olivier Stockman. Plot The narrative is grounded in the double life of a humble clerk who poses as the reclusive, but widely respected "Sir John." He thus moves in wealthy upper class circles and participates in grand investment schemes while living in a London slum. The opening credits end with: “This film is dedicated to the anonymous men and women interviewed by Henry Mayhew in London between 1848 and 1861.” The movie's detailed evocation of life in Victorian London drew on Henry Mayhew's vast personal archive of detailed interviews and vivid descriptions, which first appeared in a series of articles in the Morning Chronicle newspaper and were later compiled into the book London Labour and London Poor (1851). Cast Derek Jacobi as Mr. Frederick / Sir John Cyril Cusack as The Ballad Seller Ruth Mitchell as The Girl Maria Aitken as Lady Amelia Irina Brook as Georgiana Shillibeer Paul Brooke as Lord Paramount Richard Caldicot as Duke James Cairncross as Mr. Trott Jim Carter as Mr. Blackthorn Jonathan Cecil as Sir Martin Locket Maria Charles as The Pure Gatherer Richard Clifford as George Locket James Cosmo as Mr. Bowring Rosalie Crutchley as Mrs. Harris Chris Darwin as Theatre Doorman Colleen Neary McClure as Beauty Michael Hordern as Mr. Tatham Stratford Johns as Arthur Shillibeer Production Jacobi and Cusack had previously worked with Edzard on her film adaptation of Charles Dickens Little Dorrit in 1987. The atmospheric camerawork was by British cinematographer Robin Vidgeon. Notes References Halliwell's Film Guide 2008, HarperCollins (2007) External links 1990 films British drama films 1990 drama films 1990s English-language films 1990s British films