Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14508 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-02-11
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 3
• Running time: 480 minutes

DVD Description
"Brilliantly modern and essentially Dickensian...tense, pace and star-studded." -- The Telegraph

Bleak House has always been recognized as one of Charles Dickens’ literary masterworks, but this adaptation is fast-moving, daring, gripping television. Here is the murder mystery, the love story, the comic genius and the tantalising scandal of the novel but, stripped of its sentimentality, we find ourselves swept along by a pulsating and edgy drama.

Out of an interminable court case spin three young people each searching for their place in the world. Their story moves fast – swirling through an incredible array of characters from passionate young lovers to ruthless lawyers, from an ice-cold aristocratic beauty to a shrewd, relentless detective – until the final thrilling climax.

With a screenplay by Andrew Davies (Pride and Prejudice), Bleak House features a galaxy of major stars from feature film, television and comedy.

Bonus Features:
• Interviews with Gillian Anderson, Denis Lawson and Charles Dance
• Commentaries with Writer Andrew Davies, Producer Nigel Stafford-Clark and directors Justin Chadwick and Susanna White
• Photo gallery

Cast includes: Gillian Anderson, Alun Armstrong, Charlie Brooks, Warren Clarke, Pauline Collins, Charles Dance, Phil Davis, Burn Gorman, Richard Harrington, Matthew Kelly, Patrick Kennedy, Denis Lawson, John Lynch, Anna Maxwell Martin, Alistair McGowan, Carey Mulligan, Nathaniel Parker, Natalie Press, Anne Reid, Ian Richardson, Hugo Speer, Liza Tarbuck, Johnny Vegas, Timothy West.

Screenplay by Andrew Davies
Directed by Justin Chadwick, Susanna White

Synopsis
From the fog and squalor of Victorian London to the idyllic tranquillity of rural England, Dickens' tale of tragedy, intrigue and love, and stinging satire on the English legal system, is faithfully recreated in this BBC drama series. The story closely follows the characters involved in the infamous court case of Jarndyce versus Jarndyce that relies heavily on the production of an up-to-date will in order to settle the inheritance. Three young people are taken in by the generous guardian John Jarndyce to be cared for at Bleak House while they await the outcome of the court case. Meanwhile a ruthless lawyer is determined to find out the truth surrounding the Lady Dedlock's mysterious past and after deep investigation he makes a discovery that changes all their lives.

Synopsis
From the fog and squalor of Victorian London to the idyllic tranquillity of rural England, Dickens' tale of tragedy, intrigue and love, and stinging satire on the English legal system, is faithfully recreated in this BBC drama series. The story closely follows the characters involved in the infamous court case of Jarndyce versus Jarndyce that relies heavily on the production of an up-to-date will in order to settle the inheritance. Three young people are taken in by the generous guardian John Jarndyce to be cared for at Bleak House while they await the outcome of the court case. Meanwhile a ruthless lawyer is determined to find out the truth surrounding the Lady Dedlock's mysterious past and after deep investigation he makes a discovery that changes all their lives.

Customer Reviews

Another fantastic Dickens adaption
This adaption I watched on television and remained avidly attentive to my silver screen. Dickens has a knack of reeling you in, getting to know and understand each character, and even feeling for them, including the bad guys, after all, it's nothing personal.
This adaption allows us to see the lives of different people from different backgrounds interacting and crossing over with each other, needing strengths from some and strengthening others.
The leading lady is strong, independent, determined and above all kind, yet is the perfect lady in her time. She is loved and respected by many, yet underneath it all, there is a meekness and insecurity about her which is within us all. Yet her conviction outweighs such.
I will not spoil the plot for you, but will encourage you to at least rent it first. Bleak House has everything you could want in a Dickens and the characters portray them superbly. You will not be disappointed if you love Charles Dickens.
Bleak House swamped me with optimism, hope, trust and faith. I love Charles Dickens and it is one I will have to own.

Very Bleak indeed,!! Can't play on Xbox 360
Can't rate this HD DVD disc as it will not play on my Xbox 360 with DVD attachment.Has anybody out there encounted a similar problem ? Have to enter a one star rating for purpose of participating in this review