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Amazon.co.uk Review
This 2000 television adaptation confirms Nicholas Nickleby's place among television dramatists' favourite Dickens novels. It has all the vital ingredients: a sensitive, intelligent young hero cast by circumstances in the role of everyman whose fortitude is tested at every turn; romance; danger; one of Dickens' richest braces of characters; and a sense of humanity that is, at times, overwhelming.
Condensing all this into three hours is no mean achievement. Martyn Edward Hesford's screenplay maintains an impressive balance between dramatic tension and allowing the characters the space they need to reveal their essential qualities. Only in the last 30 minutes does it become something of a gallop to the finishing post. True, the horrors of the boarding school could be more horrific; the grime of Victorian London and its toothless inhabitants could be grimier and less cosmetic. But as always with a superior production of a Dickens novel, the richness and depth of the drama outweigh such minor quibbles.
As for the cast, James D'Arcy's Nicholas is pitch-perfect: part cipher for the injustices and despair he encounters, part emblem for the triumph of goodness, an innocent whose eyes are quickly forced open to the darker realities of life. These darker realities are congealed in Charles Dance's relentlessly chilling, heartless Ralph Nickleby. This is a deceptively complex performance; even as we cheer the gathering forces which finally extinguish his increasingly desperate power, the awful tragedy of his end still elicits a discomforting ounce of sympathy. Gregor Fisher as the one-eyed Squeers and Pam Ferris as his fearsomely lascivious wife are outstanding in an ensemble of fine character actors. And Lee Ingleby's Smike gives our tear ducts a good workout while steering just the right side of sentimentality.
On the DVD: Nicholas Nickleby is presented in widescreen format with Dolby Digital soundtrack, and has all the technical qualities you might expect from the DVD release of a modern television production. Extras include cast filmographies, a Dickens biography and a list of his work, all of which add to the disc's merits as a literary educational tool. --Piers Ford
DVD Description
Feature Length: 194 mins Approx
Colour
Colour
Special Features
Interactive Menus Cast filmographies
Charles Dickens Materials
Photo Gallery
Interactive Menus
Scene Index
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This adaptation is exceptional. The acting is excellent, particularly Charles Dance as the sinister Mr Nickleby, and Gregor Fisher as the despicable Squeers. Also, the portrayal of Smike can't help but make you sympathise with him at every moment... The original book is full of action and fantastic characters which jump off the page and this adaptation does it great justice. Thoroughly enjoyable and would recommend it highly!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Ok, it's not going to cover all of the book and some scenes have been dramatized but it's still a very good production, the key elements of the novel are represented, the casting is good, (unlike the BBC's recent Bleak House), it is far, far better than the film version which looked to me like it had been dumbed down for an American audience. I'm sure that the characters in the novel would have behaved like the production ones had Dickens been writing the script today, the alledged rape scene is implied and not carried through and Squeers is a nasty piece of work, I can't really imagine him in any other way. I rate this highly but do bear in mind it is more for a modern audience and not a 1970's slow mo effort (which are still good but for different reasons), the best adapation is still 'Our Mutual Friend' (BBC) though.
23 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Never read the book - couldn't get past page 10! But this is magic. You can't help but get involved. A must for those long winter evenings when there's only American drivel on the box.
I shall watch it again!
I shall watch it again!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Margaret's classics
The product range is vast ! My order was dealt with efficiently and promptly. The goods were received very quickly and I am well-pleased with Amazon and its associates.
Published 6 months ago by Margaret Potts
Nicholas Nickleby 2001 DVD
A good quality DVD. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the Nicholas Nickleby DVD especially as I have recently read the book.
Published 14 months ago by Edward
Did not warm to it
I am afraid that I did not warm to this production but I admit that this is my first Nicholas Nicleby and I have not read the book - so perhaps I would not warm to the book either. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2010 by Aquinas
Douglas McGrath Nicholas Nickleby is much Better
I was very disappointed with this production. I dont like it when someone takes a great classic novel and adds things in the production that is not there. Read more
Published on 30 May 2007 by vessie@oz
Overplayed and unimaginative
There have been a number of different versions of Nicholas Nickelby that I've seen now - the epic RSC version (which is over 7 hours long and thus the most comprehensive), the... Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2007 by Andrew Brack
a disapointment
I suppose after the 70s RSC Nicholas N nothing quite matches.The performaces are all workmanlike but none really ignite. Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2006 by Peter Carr
Nicholas Nickleby- his adventures(and life)
I think this video shows too much about the parts of his life other than his adventures, and this is what put me off it. Read more
Published on 17 May 2003 by "davewillacy"
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