Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6476 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-08-20
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 180 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Like a fine gourmet meal, the BBC's 1999 adaptation of David Copperfield has something to suit every taste: a well-paced screenplay that keeps the tale bowling along without losing the delights of some of Dickens' most sparkling dialogue; a rich gallery of characters; and a cast which features many of Britain's favourite actors. There is, of course, plenty of high comedy but some very tight direction checks any tendencies to over-ripe performance. The whole production is tightly integrated: from David's idyllic if cloistered childhood with his beloved mother and their devoted servant Peggotty, through the shattering arrival of a sadistic stepfather, rescue by his eccentric Aunt Betsey Trotwood and a journey into maturity where his very innocence makes him the unwitting agent of tragedy before all is resolved. Ciaran McMenamin is the mature David, his youthful face increasingly clouded by the gathering of experience. Trevor Eve oozes evil as his stepfather Mr Murdstone, ultimately neutralised by Maggie Smith's Aunt Betsey, a comic performance of true genius that gives frequent flashes of the vulnerable human being beneath. In other inspired pieces of casting, Nicholas Lyndhurst's incubus-like Uriah Heep haunts every scene he's in, and Pauline Quirke's Peggotty exudes the motherly warmth that sustains David during his darkest moments. Three hours of classic drama heaven. --Piers Ford

DVD Description
DVD Special Features:

The Making of David Copperfield
An additional 30 minutes (in 5.1) of the original music composed by Rob Lane. Compiled and digitally edited by David Maurice
English SDH Subtitles
Dolby Digital Stereo

Synopsis
Masterpiece Theatre presents this BBC adaptation of Dickens' beloved novel about a plucky young scamp's journey from hellish public schools to a job in a London factory, and into adulthood as a mature writer amongst in mid-nineteenth century industrial London. Dickens was famous for creating a supporting cast of memorable characters, and Wilkins Micawber, Copperfield's semi manic depressive father figure (portrayed memorably by W.C. Fields in George Cukor's 1935 film), is one of Dickens's most memorable comic characters. Here, Bob Hoskins takes on the role and proves to be one of the many highlights of this delightful adaptation, which is bolstered by a number of fine supporting roles, especially Ian McKellen's turn as the nefarious Mr. Creakle.

Customer Reviews

Pedestrian adaptation of a classic tale
'David Copperfield', is, by all respects, a brilliant story. It is partly autobiographical, but this gives the story an extra layer. The story of a man's development from boyhood to man is nothing new, and Dickens' novel sets his tale apart because of his emphatic understanding of human nature. This adaptation however, is fairly pedestrian in its handling of human emotions. Trevor Eve is perhaps, a little OTT and there is very little depth to his character, whilst I could say the same to Emilia Fox and Zoe Wannamaker.
The real triumph of this adaption is, I feel, Maggie Smith's performance which is in a league of its own. Betsy Trotwood is a very likeable character anyway, but Smith is superb.
The film is worth a look though, for any period drama fan, however to get the real benefits from this story, I'd recommend the book.

Romantic, Funny, Sad, Heartwarming
I have just finished watching David Copperfield today and was suprised how long it went on for! It's approx. 180 minutes long, but that's definitely not a bad thing.

I've never read the book, so I don't know how closely it resembles it, but even if there were bits missed out, I felt that there was enough said to understand the crux of the story and I really enjoyed it.

Daniel Radcliffe plays the young David Copperfield really well and Ciarán McMenamin also plays the older David well too. I especially liked the choice of actors including, Maggie Smith, Pauline Quirke, Bob Hoskins and Zoe Wanamaker.

I would definitely recommend this adaption to everyone because it's not too sickly sweet, but not to violent either. But do have some tissues handy as some scenes are quite sad.

One NOT to be MISSED!
David Copperfield has to be the BBC at it's very best! A great cast with superb acting I love it! I personally find Dickens boring to read and so have to watch the dramatisations when they are made. This is a masterpiece! Whilst watching it I go through a variety of emotions and feel exhausted at the end. Having said that I defy anyone who watches David Copperfield not to be touched by this wonderful, moving and touching story!