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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
In the three decades since this won a number of awards our expectations of costume dramas have changed somewhat. One can't watch this studio-bound adaptation, shot on tape rather than film and with no music soundtrack without noticing the difference to today's productions. However, that said, it's still a fine affair. The script is funny, the acting is generally good and in the case of Timothy West as Bounderby is outstanding (the way he plays the character is a clear precursor to what must surely be his definitive role, that of Bradley Hardacre in Brass - The Complete Series [DVD] [1983]). The late Rosalie Crutchley also deserves a mention for her performance as Mrs Sparsit and Edward Fox has fun playing Captain Harthouse as, well, as Edward Fox. Dicken's messages are left as unsubtle as they are in the book, but that's probably as it should be.
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
When I saw this adaption in 1977 ,,,I was overwhelmed,.The cast is beyond perfection.I am astonished that so many of the actors did not find their way into other similar productions over the years,,,which makes this mysterious.I have been trying to find this tape ever since.It is poignant to the point of heartbreak,,but always exceptionally true to the spirit ,,so familiar to Dickens lovers,,,of life on the fringes of society ,,,.Endless villains,,,and priceless heroines,,,hypocrisy etc. I am quite humbled to think that these people did such a splendid job and excepting Timothy West, whose career is much heralded,,,I feel the extraordinary vision,in the lesser knowns actors' portrayel is an incredible secret for those fortunate enough to experience this tale and adds a kind of intimate mystery ,rare,,in the world or recorded arts
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Dickens, I think, has never been done better for television or on film. 'Hard Times' is a comparatively short Dickens novel. It has been criticised for being too polemical, for being more parable than novel. This production demonstrates that it has such firm lines of characterisation and plotting that the polemical element can be sustained without sacrificing intellectual and emotional impact. There is no need for me to go into the philosophical issues the author takes up - the story says it all, and this 1977 Granada series does them justice. The whole cast is impeccable. The art direction is stunning. The direction, camerawork and editing are faultless. There is, inevitably, some wear and tear in the image: television material from this era often did not preserve well. By that standard, this is not at all bad. The drama realised here, however, carries any technical shortcomings lightly. Fact: this is exceptional viewing.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Hard Times by Charles Dickens
Hard Times is the worst of Dickens novels and this film is no better. Some of the themes of the novel, such as Bounderby's mother, are completely ignored. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Andrew R. Gordon
Nicely done
This is a rare production of Dickens by ITV but it is very well done. Dickens was also in unfamiliar territory here, namely a Northern milltown. Read more
Published 2 months ago by jabba the cat
Charles Dickens' Hard Times - 1977 DVD
Compared with recent period TV dramas, this 1977 TV production seems to be studio bound, probably because of cost grounds. Read more
Published 2 months ago by MikeD
Fantastic
Only got this yesterday and have already watched it all. Hugely entertaining. I was a little bit cautious due to the age of the production but all fears were soon realized to be... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Rob
Hard Times
As a teacher I don't really have time to write reviews but am aware how important they are to the seller. So well done - the product is high quality and arrived quickly. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Ms Joanna Browne
hard times
this dvd is brillant. I recommand it to everybody. And at that price you can't go wrong. I don't regret having bought it.
thank you very much.
thank you very much.
Published on 17 Mar 2010 by Michel J. Lamirand
Hard times (DVD
the DVD did not have the subtitles in english, and I am very unsatisfied. there was only the dutch subtutles. Read more
Published on 20 April 2009 by Oderda Giuseppina
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