Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6412 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-03-06
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 3
• Formats: Box set, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 3
• Running time: 503 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
This Nicholas Nickleby is not one of Hollywood's condensed versions, it's the Royal Shakespeare Company's epic eight-and-a-half-hour adaptation of the life and times of the eponymous school-teacher. The 1982 production (originally staged in two parts) won worldwide acclaim and was such a success that Britain's then-newest TV station, Channel 4, launched a joint venture with independent production company Primetime to bring Nicholas Nickleby to a television audience. The result is this wonderfully theatrical version, filmed at the Old Vic and starring much of the original stage cast. It manages to stay true to Trevor Nunn's original artistic vision of Dickens's damning incitement of England's educational system.

The ensemble cast are superb: Roger Rees as Nicholas is a bright-eyed idealist, every inch the young romantic hero whose principles are often his downfall, but ultimately his salvation; Fulton Mackay's twisted, embittered Squeers is every inch the Dickensian villain; and David Threlfall is transformed as Smike, Squeers' piteously subjugated, crippled servant and gives the most moving performances of his career.

This enthralling TV adaptation recreates the magic of the stage version for all those who were unable to catch it on its pitifully short run. It doesn't pull any punches as the humour and inspiring storyline are tempered with real dark and tragic episodes. Forget the Hollywood fluff, this is the version you should watch if you want a faithful retelling of Dickens's story. --Kristen Bowditch

DVD Description
On June 20th 1982, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby was performed on the London stage for the last time. In the following months, the production was re-staged and recorded as a nine-hour television production, which in turn became the first major drama for the new Channel Four. The TV production was produced by Colin Callendar and directed by Jim Goddard. In order to preserve the essential theatrical flavour of the original, the producers decided to shoot it in one of the world’s most historic theatres, London’s Old Vic. By a curious coincidence, this very theatre is mentioned by its original name, ‘The Coburg’ in the novel of Nicholas Nickleby and the reference is retained in the play.

The new production proved to be no less an epic undertaking than the original stage version. The 400 costumes, 1000-page script and 114 music cues all had to be adapted for television, while a unique system of moveable plinths were built to achieve the necessary camera angles and movements. The production was shot on videotape for maximum flexibility, but using film techniques – setting up and lighting each shot separately. The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby was also the first television drama to be recorded in 24-track stereo. The production’s 150 roles were played by 39 actors – among them Roger Rees (The Scorpion King, The West Wing, Cheers), David Threlfall (Conspiracy, Sex, Chips and Rock ‘n’ Roll), John Woodvine (Bob and Rose), Alun Armstrong (Messiah, David Copperfield, Our Friends in the North) and the late Bob Peck (Edge of Darkness, Jurassic Park).

Special Features

• Running Time: 503 minutes