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Amazon.co.uk Review
Like a fine gourmet meal, the BBC's 1999 adaptation of David Copperfield has something to suit every taste: a well-paced screenplay that keeps the tale bowling along without losing the delights of some of Dickens' most sparkling dialogue; a rich gallery of characters; and a cast which features many of Britain's favourite actors. There is, of course, plenty of high comedy but some very tight direction checks any tendencies to over-ripe performance. The whole production is tightly integrated: from David's idyllic if cloistered childhood with his beloved mother and their devoted servant Peggotty, through the shattering arrival of a sadistic stepfather, rescue by his eccentric Aunt Betsey Trotwood and a journey into maturity where his very innocence makes him the unwitting agent of tragedy before all is resolved. Ciaran McMenamin is the mature David, his youthful face increasingly clouded by the gathering of experience. Trevor Eve oozes evil as his stepfather Mr Murdstone, ultimately neutralised by Maggie Smith's Aunt Betsey, a comic performance of true genius that gives frequent flashes of the vulnerable human being beneath. In other inspired pieces of casting, Nicholas Lyndhurst's incubus-like Uriah Heep haunts every scene he's in, and Pauline Quirke's Peggotty exudes the motherly warmth that sustains David during his darkest moments. Three hours of classic drama heaven. --Piers Ford
DVD Description
DVD Special Features:
The Making of David Copperfield
An additional 30 minutes (in 5.1) of the original music composed by Rob Lane. Compiled and digitally edited by David Maurice
English SDH Subtitles
Dolby Digital Stereo
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
52 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
David Copperfield is simply glorious. Though not massively faithful to the book (a fact that may make die hard Dickens fans baulk) it presents its cut down version amazingly.
The BBC builds here on its impressive record of period dramas (including the impassible Pride and Predjudice in 1995), and whilstm being Dickens much of this production is set in dingy victorian London, it doesn't lose any of its beauty. The costumes are wonderful, the rich costumes suiting even the younger members of the cast. The two Davids are wonderful, Daniel Radcliffe shows, at the age of 9 the ability to draw in the viewer that would be exibited two years later as Harry Potter. His eyes alone, on the close ups are enough to make any viewer weep at the various injustices that befall our hero. Ciarán McMenamin is good as the adult David, though I admit a certain inability to see how the young David developed into him.
Of the rest of the cast, its virtually impossible to pick a best. Trevor Eve and Zoe Wannamaker show equal meaness in their roles as David's evil mental torturers and with a cast that also includes such greats as Ian McKellen, Bob Hoskins, Dawn French, Pauline Quirk and Emelia Fox it would be an injustice to single anyone out. That is, were it not for the spectacular performance of Maggie Smith, who pulls out all of the stops in her wonderful, heartwarming performance as David's aunt. The idea of anyone else now playing this role, seems foreign to me.
All in all this is a great adaptation of a great novel. Filmed in all its beauty by Simon Curtis and his wonderful crew. Let this version stand as a benchmark for a long long time.
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This classic story has been told so many times that it becomes increasingly difficult to take it further. However, this version does just that with an excellent cast and great locations.
It originally aired Christmas 1999 on BBC1, shown over two evenings. In my house it totally enthralled all who watched it, including two moody 12 year olds who initially complained about being made to watch it - Copperfield at its very best.
It originally aired Christmas 1999 on BBC1, shown over two evenings. In my house it totally enthralled all who watched it, including two moody 12 year olds who initially complained about being made to watch it - Copperfield at its very best.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a great adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel. It comes on 2 discs and not suprisingly, due to the length of the novel, the film is also very long, lasting 3 hours in total.
This adaptation comes complete with an all star cast, including the likes of Bob Hoskins, and Daneil Radcliffe. Well, what more can i say other than this is a great film all round and if you are a fan of Charles Dickens, or just want an enjoyable film that you can watch over and over again, then this is the DVD you are looking for. Enjoy!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
NO GREAT EXPECTATIONS HERE!
Boasting such a star-studded cast, it's a little surprising that this is such a lacklustre Dickens adaption. It is not without its moments but overall the show disappoints. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Sou'Wester
There is a lot heartbreaking moments..and also lots of joviality
(THE FILM)David Copperfield was Dickens' own favourite - and was to become his most enduringly popular - novel, with a host of characters which are among the most famous creations... Read more
Published 2 months ago by S. F. husseiny
BRITISH ACTING AS ITS BEST!
As a massive period drama fan I absolutely loved this version of David Copperfield. I must admit I was really curious to see the young Daniel Radcliff before his Harry Potter fame... Read more
Published 2 months ago by film fan 66
Not up to much
If you measure this by the 'stars' assembled then on paper at least, it looks a good bet. However when you factor in the bad script, paper-thin characterisation and bad direction... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Simon Crutchley
personal views
Another great adaptation of a super Dickens tale. Good acting by new but famiar faces and great production.Good buy thats for sure.
Published 3 months ago by Mr. C. J. Gritt
Awful
You can always tell when an adaptation is going to be bad: it relies upon voiceovers.
Hilariously, in this utterly misguided production, the voiceover narration says... Read more
Hilariously, in this utterly misguided production, the voiceover narration says... Read more
Published 3 months ago by S. D. Nunn
Easily the best - so far
An all star cast including that promising young newcomer Daniel Radcliffe giving a truly memorable performance of one of Dickens' best loved stories. Read more
Published 4 months ago by jaze44
brilliant
i strongly recommend it. fantastic cast, and an amazing story. I sat and watched it until the end, as it is hard not to be glued to the tele whilst the story is progressing.
Published 5 months ago by Soura Goussous
Dickens
wonderful story, beautifully acted & everything the synopsis said of it.When you watch this DVD you will be transported into the 19th century of poverty, crime,distress &... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Gloria
Deligthful adaptation
This delightful BBC adaptation of Dickens' novel was well acted throughout with convincing sets. Obviously it is hard to bring such a long book to the small screen, but even with... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Dr. Peter J. Harland
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