In a holocaustic future world, perpetually at war, where failure to conform is the ultimate crime, Winston Smith (John Hurt) rewrites history books and finds himself dreaming of escape from the all-seeing eyes of the Authorities. He embarks on a passionate (and illegal) affair with a young woman (Suzanna Hamilton) but they are soon caught and Smith undergoes a nightmarish brainwashing at the hands of the chief inquisitor O'Brien (Richard Burton).

A collection of 23 dramas based on the novels of Catherine Cookson: 'The Mallen Secret', 'The Mallen Curse', 'The Mallen Girls', 'The Mallen Streak', 'The Fifteen Streets', 'The Wingless Bird', 'The Round Tower', 'The Black Velvet Gown', 'The Black Candle', 'The Rag Nymph', 'The Moth', 'The Girl', 'The Tide of Life', 'The Glass Virgin', 'The Gambling Man', 'The Man Who Cried', 'The Cinder Path', 'The Dwelling Place', 'The Colour Blind', 'The Tilly Trotter', 'The Storyteller', 'The Secret' and 'Dinner of Herbs'.