Disraeli: Portrait of a Romantic (1978) – Episode Four

At last, we come to the final episode of Disraeli: Portrait of a Romantic (1978) which covers 1872, immediately following Mary Anne’s death, to Dizzy’s own death in 1881. Being so late in Disraeli’s life, after the death of his wife (so less likely for any women to occupy as much screentime) my expectations were low for pretty dress content. However, this episode still had a few standouts. Let’s take a look, shall we?

Random mother and child walking down the stairs in the hotel that Dizzy is living at, following Mary Anne’s death. I thought the woman’s dress was good, showing that straight-across waist with the early bustle shape that is seriously unflattering on most figures, lol. The little girl wears her skirts short, putting her around 12 years old.

Queen Victoria in perpetual mourning, some 10 years after the death of Prince Albert. One thing I really did like about this series was how it showed Disraeli’s admiration and respect for the women he surrounded himself with, including Victoria. Yes, he was a bit of a hound, even in old age, but the show really was at pains to show that he included women amongst his friends for their intellect and intuition.

Selina, Lady Bradford, in a fabulous lavender dress. Dizzy attempts to woo her into love with him, but she resists — sort of. In reality, Disraeli sent her over 1,000 letters during the course of their friendship, becoming quite ardent after Mary Anne’s passing. None of Selina’s correspondence survives, however, but historians infer that their relationship was, at the very least, an intimate friendship, if not a physical one.

The clearest full-length view of Selina’s dress that I could get. Very on brand for the mid-1870s. What I wouldn’t do to get a close up of this dress in real life.

Wooing Selina doesn’t work, so Dizzy attempts to convince her sister Anna to marry him, as she’s also widowed, mainly just to be closer to Selina.

If you take away nothing else from these posts, I need you all to understand just how good the hair is on this show.

Anna’s dress is a two piece bodice-and-skirt arrangement. Very subdued and yet, stylish. She also calls Dizzy out for trying to marry her just to get closer to her sister, but in a kindly way.

The last half of the episode is all menswear all the time. Nothing wrong with that! Just not our jam.

So, in an effort to extend this post a little bit longer, I’m going to rank my top 5 favorite outfits from the series:

Number one is absolutely Princess Alice’s ballgown from Episode 3.

A strong second on the list is the green velvet riding habit from Episode 1.

Mary Anne’s half-mourning ensemble from Episode 2 is something I would love to wear myself.

This fantastic gown worn by Sarah Disraeli in Episode 1.

And finally, the blurry-yet-fabulous lavender gown worn by Selina in Episode 4.

Which dress is your favorite? Tell us in the comments!

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2 thoughts on “Disraeli: Portrait of a Romantic (1978) – Episode Four”

ED says:

November 18, 2025 at 11:05 am

If anyone can get away with the old “Playing coy, eh? I shall make her fabulously jealous by MARRYING HER SISTER!” gambit even when it fails, that would be a practiced smoothie played by Mr Ian McShane.

I mean come on, the lady’s not down to clown but she’s not DEAD.
M.E. Lawrence says:

November 18, 2025 at 3:15 pm

Of your five faves, Sarah, I could live without #5, because I just detest those great piles of textile–she looks as upholstered as a late-Victorian parlor–but the other four are all luscious.