The Milk of Paradise by Alain-Fournier

Augustin Meaulnes's night at the old chateau, his brief but fateful encounter with the lovely Yvonne during a fancy-dress party held for a vanished bride, seem to his friend Francois, the narrator, the very stuff of fantasy.

Yet time is to prove it real - for Francois - the watcher over four lives - too real....

Starring Timothy Bateson as Francois, Albert Finney as Augustin and Clare Austin as Yvonne.

A bewitching tale of a young man's dream of happiness.

Alain-Fournier's novel 'Le Grand Meaulnes', first published in 1913.

Translated and adapted by Barbara Bray.

Francois Seurel ... Timothy Bateson
Augustin Meaulnes ... Albert Finney
Yvonne de Galais ... Clare Austin
Jasmin Delouche ... John Scott
M. Seurel ... Frederick Treves
Mme. Seurel ... Catherine Salkeld
Aunt Moinel ... Dorothy Green
Frantz de Galais ... Lyndon Brook
Mme. Meaulnes ... Mary Morell
Desnoues / Uncle Florentin ... Frank Windsor
M. de Galais / Man ... Duncan McIntyre
Ganache / Doctor ... John Cazabon
Firmin ... David Spenser
Marie Louise / Girl 1 ... Patricia Leventon
Peasant Woman / Girl 2 ... Hilda Schroder
Boy 1 ... Anthony Adams
Boy 2 ... Jean England
Boy 3 ... Peter Wilde
Boy 4 ... Clive Parritt

Music composed by Elizabeth Poston. Conducted by Douglas Robinson.

Producer: Barbara Bray

First broadcast on the BBC Home Service in January 1959.