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David Yelland stars as David Copperfield in this superb BBC adaptation of one of Charles Dickens' best loved and most autobiographical of novels. Featuring some of Dickens' most memorable characters, including the Micawbers and Uriah Heep, it follows one boys' journey into manhood, achieving his dreams against seemingly insurmountable odds. A superb supporting cast includes Arthur Lowe, Patricia Routledge and Anthony Andrews.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
80 of 82 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Although I have only seen this version in VHS format I rate it as head and shoulders above the 1999 version with Daniel Radcliffe, Bob Hoskins, et al. Sorry to be hard on such big names and impeccable credentials, but there it is. Arthur Lowe is the quintessential Mr Micawber and the big surprise, Patricia Routledge as Mrs M, is a huge bonus. Anthony Andrews is just as I imagined Steerforth from the novel: insufferably superior - I almost said sinister, but that dubious accolade must go to Martin Jarvis for his Uriah. I much preferred the beautiful Gail Harrison as Agnes to the soppy portrayal by Amanda Ryan, while Beth Morris is more believable than Joanna Page as Dora. Both Betseys, however, are superb. My vote must also go to Pauline Quirke in the 1999 version for her Peggoty. To clinch the matter, this production is more meaty, with more material from the novel being included. If you simply must have the "big names", the choice is yours but don't say I didn't point you to a better deal.
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Here's another really good one from the 1970s. This studio-based series must be one of the best Dickens adaptations going. As with all these 'tea-time classics' that livened our Sunday afternoons, the casting is superb, and the adaptation by Hugh Whitemore delicious.
An earlier review excellently sums up the shortcomings of versions with a 'big name' cast (and who cares anyway if somebody's been in a sitcom ? It doesn't make them a better actor! and I'm afraid I prefer Pat Keen's Peggotty in this version to anything Pauline Quirke could ever do) and for me the two highlights have to be Patience Collier's splendidly eccentric Aunt Betsey, and Martin Jarvis's loathsome Uriah Heap.
For those obsessed with star names, Uriah's mother is excellently played by Liz Smith, who was and is always content to be 'an actor' rather than just 'a name'.
There's plenty in this series to warm the heart and to have a good cry over, so sit back and enjoy it.
An earlier review excellently sums up the shortcomings of versions with a 'big name' cast (and who cares anyway if somebody's been in a sitcom ? It doesn't make them a better actor! and I'm afraid I prefer Pat Keen's Peggotty in this version to anything Pauline Quirke could ever do) and for me the two highlights have to be Patience Collier's splendidly eccentric Aunt Betsey, and Martin Jarvis's loathsome Uriah Heap.
For those obsessed with star names, Uriah's mother is excellently played by Liz Smith, who was and is always content to be 'an actor' rather than just 'a name'.
There's plenty in this series to warm the heart and to have a good cry over, so sit back and enjoy it.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
David Copperfield has always been my favourite Dickens Novel. Before reading the book I had over many years seen several of the Television adaptions and loved the Story. That was all many years ago but a few weeks back the Copperfield Daniel Radcliffe version was repeated on TV and I enjoyed it and decided to buy it. However on reading the reviews on this site I was swayed to purchase this version instead. How right those comments are. This is a superior version in every way. The adaption, the acting and the Direction is all far better. The cast are superb with even parts of the Story that I have always thought to be a bit silly coming across as entirely believable. I refer particularly to 'Little Emily'saga, and the character of Dora. Steerforth is so splendidly played by Anthony Andrews that the fact that he swept Emily off her feet is credible. As is his influence over David. I have often thought Dora to be too silly for words. But in this version she is so full of life, so vibrant and so pretty and bewitching, that even her lack of life skills, cooking, house management etc seem natural. As does the love she inspires from David who is completely captivated.
Aunt Betsy and Mr Dick are wonderful as are Mr and Mrs McCawber.
Martin Jarvis is outstanding as Uriah Heep and the production gains much from the presence of Traddles, once again beautifully potrayed.
A young David Yelland makes as good a David as there can ever have been and David as a child is also impressive.
As for Agnes, the interpretation of Gail Harrison is inspired. I have always thought that Dickens had made Agnes too good to be true, a positive Angel but once again she is entirely creditable being caring, intelligent, beautiful and brimming with goodness.
If you want to watch a TV Serial of David Copperfield then make this the one. This is BBC coustume Drama at its very Best. It is simply quite superb.
Aunt Betsy and Mr Dick are wonderful as are Mr and Mrs McCawber.
Martin Jarvis is outstanding as Uriah Heep and the production gains much from the presence of Traddles, once again beautifully potrayed.
A young David Yelland makes as good a David as there can ever have been and David as a child is also impressive.
As for Agnes, the interpretation of Gail Harrison is inspired. I have always thought that Dickens had made Agnes too good to be true, a positive Angel but once again she is entirely creditable being caring, intelligent, beautiful and brimming with goodness.
If you want to watch a TV Serial of David Copperfield then make this the one. This is BBC coustume Drama at its very Best. It is simply quite superb.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Best production
I just about remembered seeing this when it first came out and the main thing I remembered was Martin Jarvis's splendidly oily and evil Uriah Heep and thought how good it was. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Digger
Who is the composer to the music for this excellent series?
<amazon.uk 18.04.2010
I have just enjoyed watching BBC's excellent miniseries of Charles Dickens' «David Copperfield». Read more
I have just enjoyed watching BBC's excellent miniseries of Charles Dickens' «David Copperfield». Read more
Published on 18 April 2010 by H. R. Mathisen
Great entertainment
This series isn't dated at all, has first-rate character actors in it and is a very good (and fuller than usual) adaptation of Dickens brilliant novel. Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2010 by Hayseed
"Capturing the many hardships Dickens indured ... David Copperfield...
Koch Vision and BBC present "David Copperfield" (1974) - David Yelland (325 mins/Color) (Dolby Digital) --- Under Julian Aymes (Director), John McRae (Producer), Charles Dickens... Read more
Published on 7 May 2007 by J. Lovins
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