Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9867 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-02-20
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 3
• Running time: 465 minutes

DVD Description
Acclaimed writer Andrew Davies turns his talents to one of Charles Dickens' most brilliant novels - arguably the greatest ever depiction of Victorian London. Fresh and imaginative, yet faithful to the original, this thrilling fast-paced adaptation is shot with a contemporary edge. At its heart is the story of the icily beautiful Lady Dedlock, who nurses a dark secret, and the merciless lawyer Tulkinghorn, who seeks to uncover it. The generous John Jarndyce, struggling with his own past, and his two young wards Richard and Ada, are all caught up, like Lady Dedlock, in the infamous case of Jarndyce vs. Jarndyce, which will make one of them rich beyond imagination if it can ever be brought to a conclusion. As Tulkinghorn digs deeper into Lady Dedlock's past, he unearths a secret that will change their lives forever, and which is almost as astounding as the final outcome of the Jarndyce case.

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. Includes all fifteen episodes.

Customer Reviews

Surprised no-one mentioned the soundtrack
I am surprised that only one reviewer briefly mentioned the backing soundtrack. It is over-bearing and jars the viewing of the excellent acting. It never ceases to amaze me how superb acting is drowned in a morass of noise in this production. Why do they do it? It might just be me but I could not watch this for more than 20 minutes at a time as I got so annoyed by the less than subtle background noises and had to go to do something else. It seemed so incongruous to have a soundtrack blasting out and more suitable to a cheap adventure show than to this Victorian classic. Does every show have to have these ridiculous noises that presumably are to show you where the dramatic bits are? Just some advice to the sound effects people - I do not need your assistance, I can recognise the changes in mood myself. In fact, the noises came regardless of a change in mood! If I was not so lazy, I would measure the percentage of this drama that was without some artificial noise blaring out.

Consumate production
This is a fantastic adaptation of Dickens novel of greed, the perils of the law and the wish for easy money. The adaptation is superb and the acting is faultless from an ensemble cast. Gillian Anderson, as Lady Dedlock, is revelatory, but there is not a bad performance in the cast.

The story has everything: pace; romance; plot twists; comedy; goodies, baddies and flawed, complex, characters in-between. Add to that suitably beautiful costumes and wonderfully realised sets and you have a winner.

Highly recommended

Almost flawless production
Who would have believed a few years ago that the female star of TV's science fiction series 'X files' would have turned in such a captivating performance as Lady Dedlock in Dicken's Bleak House. Yet Gillian Anderson's acting in this production was breathtaking to say the least. All the other actors and supporting actors have to be congratulated for bringing this story to life, and in particular performances by Anna Maxwell Martin, Charles Dance and Phil Davis as the repugnant Smallweed were equally superb.

My only gripe were the rather gimmicky loud thunderclaps and lightning used to usher in each new scene, which was unwarranted. Other than that the DVD is well worth every penny and something you can return to time and again.