Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1405 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

Simply glorious
David Copperfield is simply glorious. Though not massively faithful to the book (a fact that may make die hard Dickens fans baulk) it presents its cut down version amazingly.

The BBC builds here on its impressive record of period dramas (including the impassible Pride and Predjudice in 1995), and whilstm being Dickens much of this production is set in dingy victorian London, it doesn't lose any of its beauty. The costumes are wonderful, the rich costumes suiting even the younger members of the cast. The two Davids are wonderful, Daniel Radcliffe shows, at the age of 9 the ability to draw in the viewer that would be exibited two years later as Harry Potter. His eyes alone, on the close ups are enough to make any viewer weep at the various injustices that befall our hero. Ciarán McMenamin is good as the adult David, though I admit a certain inability to see how the young David developed into him.

Of the rest of the cast, its virtually impossible to pick a best. Trevor Eve and Zoe Wannamaker show equal meaness in their roles as David's evil mental torturers and with a cast that also includes such greats as Ian McKellen, Bob Hoskins, Dawn French, Pauline Quirk and Emelia Fox it would be an injustice to single anyone out. That is, were it not for the spectacular performance of Maggie Smith, who pulls out all of the stops in her wonderful, heartwarming performance as David's aunt. The idea of anyone else now playing this role, seems foreign to me.

All in all this is a great adaptation of a great novel. Filmed in all its beauty by Simon Curtis and his wonderful crew. Let this version stand as a benchmark for a long long time.

Best version todate
This classic story has been told so many times that it becomes increasingly difficult to take it further. However, this version does just that with an excellent cast and great locations.
It originally aired Christmas 1999 on BBC1, shown over two evenings. In my house it totally enthralled all who watched it, including two moody 12 year olds who initially complained about being made to watch it - Copperfield at its very best.

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!