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The American   1998         TV, 90 min. Genre: Drama Director: Paul Unwin   Cast: Matthew Modine, Diana Rigg, Brenda Fricker, Aisling O'Sullivan, Paul Hickey, Andrew Scott, Eva Birthistle, T.P. McKenna, Phillip O'Sullivan, Ian Fitzgibbon, Joe Pilkington, Ed Bishop, Alison McKenna, David Heap, Anita Reeves   Based on Henry James' 1877 novel, this story is set in the post-Civil War era when an American, Christopher Newman (Matthew Modine), arrives in Paris where he is more than a little impressed with European society. Christopher falls in love with Claire (Aisling O'Sullivan), but her mother Madame de Bellegarde (Diana Rigg) and her older brother Valentin (Andrew Scott) oppose Claire's marriage to Christopher because he does not represent French aristocracy. The problem might be solved when Christopher gains evidence that Madam de Bellegarde may have murdered her husband, and he finds himself in the position of blackmailing his way into European society. Cast Matthew Modine Christopher Newman Diana Rigg Madame de Bellegarde Brenda Fricker Mrs. Bread Aisling O'Sullivan Claire De Cintre Paul Hickey Henri de Bellegarde Andrew Scott Valentin de Bellegarde Eva Birthistle Noemie Nioche T.P. McKenna Marquis de Bellegarde Phillip O'Sullivan Marquis de Cintre Ian Fitzgibbon Tom Tristram Joe Pilkington Armand Nioche Ed Bishop General Packard Alison McKenna Mrs. Tristram David Heap Stanislas Kapp Anita Reeves The Duchess