Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10283 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-05-13
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 200 minutes

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

Special Features
Interactive Menus Cast filmographies
Charles Dickens Materials
Photo Gallery
Interactive Menus
Scene Index

Synopsis
This made-for-TV version of the Charles Dickens classic stars James D'Arcy and Charles Dance. D'Arcy charms in the title role, and Dance is loathsome as the heartless Ralph Nickleby.

Customer Reviews

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 1970s BBC version (which features Nigel Havers and does a good job of mixing the unpleasant aspects), the competent 1947 version and the lively, imaginatively-cast 2002 film. This is by far the least enjoyable one I've seen.

It focuses far too much on trying to portray the Squeers as unpleasantly as possible (something that is already evident enough through how they talk and the way they treat the boys - Mr and Mrs Squeers groping each other in as repulsive a fashion as possible in front of Nicholas strikes me as unnecessary and over the top). The 2002 film does this so much better by using Nicholas' reactions and through wonderful set design.

Everything is heavy-handed here. Not only do we have a scene where an "admirer" of Kate Nickleby threatens her honour but we have a fully-fledged rape attempt on a billiards table. Not only is a repulsive old man disgusting in his attitudes and how he dresses, he wiggles his tongue in a snake-like fashion.

Sophia Myles and James D'Arcy are both excellent in key roles but given the overwhelmingly oppressive tone of the production I cannot recommend this. The other adaptations listed at the start of this review are just better balanced and more enjoyable.

A faithful, entertaining adaptation...
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!

Brilliant
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!