The ban on John Celand's infamous Fanny Hill was only lifted in 1973. With this reasonably faithful, but a little hurried, adaptation by book-to-screen extraordinaire Andrew Davies the sexual adventures of Fanny were broadcast wide of an audience on BBC FOUR in 2007 (and then near Christmas on BBC TWO). Rebecca Night is infectiously likeable as the country girl turned prostitute, who falls on hard times when her parents die and her fiance is whisked away by his wicked father (in the form of Philip Jackson). Hopping between brothels and board houses she attempts to survive with just her good spirit and no money. Fanny's journey from innocence into pleasure expert is perhaps handled slightly too quickly, though not sacrificed in favour for explicit sex scenes (which are frequent). Instead the quickness of pace, which is to be fair pleasantly refreshing, comes more from being limited to just two parts. So much more of the story could have been enjoyed with perhaps four episodes (like the recent Tess of the D'Urbervilles), including some of the longer periods of narrative that get to flourish in the novel, but are fleetingly shown onscreen. The fourth-wall breaking direct-to-camera narration doesn't jolt at all, which is a technique that does not usually bode well with me, and the sweetly acted (but, oh yes, hurried) ending is surprisingly, but effectively simple.