Masterpiece Classic: Any Human Heart - Part Three

How can a man in the bloom of youth, pursuing writing and sex with equal vigor, end up grizzled, old, and surrounded by piles of boxes and paper, the detritus of a life?

The answer is the story of Logan Mountstuart, who believes, "Every human being is a collection of selves...we never stay just one person." And the twentieth century provides the perfect backdrop for Logan to live out his lives, drinking absinthe with Ernest Hemingway, initiated into intrigue by Ian Fleming, and embroiled in the arch expat world of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. A novelist, war correspondent, father, spy, prisoner of war, art dealer, husband, and many times over, a lover — an Everyman of sorts — Logan is played at three junctures of his life.

Based on William Boyd's bestselling novel, this three-part series stars Oscar-winner Jim Broadbent, Matthew Macfadyen, and Sam Claflin. Also starring are Haley Atwell, Kim Cattrall, Gillian Anderson, Tom Hollander and Ed Stoppard.

Part three begins in the 1970s London, with its counter-culture and poverty, Logan is just barely surviving with the occasional freelance writing assignment and the help of his friend Ben, enduring petty humiliation at his literary agency until Gloria reenters his life.

An interlude of intimate and true friendship, and the inheritance of a house in France from his old friend, Cyprien, buoy Logan and reignite a tenuous passion for life. It's about looking ahead, Gloria tells him. But no sooner does Gloria leave than an accident renders Logan penniless, surviving on dog food, and ready to try anything: looking ahead, and even becoming an unknowing accomplice to an underground revolutionary extremist group. Only the election of Margaret Thatcher and his country house in the south of France provide incentive to leave a decaying past and embark on his final adventure.

"Any Human Heart" is available for online viewing from February 14 - March 22, 2011.