The Charles Dickens Collection, Vol. 2 (David Copperfield / The Pickwick Papers / The Old Curiosity Shop / Dombey and Son)

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For Dickens aficionados who own the first DVD Collection, but still want some more, this four-disc set collects four sterling BBC productions of some of the author's essential masterworks. The best of the lot is David Copperfield, starring a pre-Harry Potter Daniel Radcliffe as the tragically put-upon young Copperfield. Shot on film, this impeccable 1999 production is an embarrassment of riches, with a cast that includes Academy Award-winner Maggie Smith, who earned an Emmy nomination as the formidable Aunt Betsey, Oscar-nominee Ian McKellen (The Lord of the Rings) as the cruel and sadistic teacher Mr. Creakle, a wonderful Bob Hoskins as the debt-ridden Micawber, Trevor Eve as David's loathsome stepfather Mr. Murdstone, and Nicholas Lyndhurst as the dastardly clerk Uriah Heap. Holding his own with this formidable ensemble is Ciaran McMenamin as the adult David, whose ultimate triumph is particularly hard earned. Rich with incident and populated by some of literature's most memorable characters, this production does satisfying justice to one of Dickens's most beloved and oft-told sagas. When it comes to a series of unfortunate events, Lemony Snicket has nothing on Dickens.

The Old Curiosity Shop, from 1979, stars Sebastian Shaw as the grandfather determined to provide a better life for his beloved and beautiful granddaughter, Nell (the winning Natalie Ogle). But his gambling leaves them at the mercy to the bent and malignant Quilp (Trevor Peacock). The lesser known Dombey and Son, from 1983, is a tale of foolish pride, comeuppance, and redemption starring Julian Glover as Mr. Dombey, so determined that his son take over his business that he cruelly neglects his daughter, Florence (the heartbreaking Lysette Anthony). The Pickwick Papers, from 1985, is a welcome comic change of pace that follows the misadventures of "the immortal" (and comically rotund) Mr. Pickwick (Nigel Stock) and his three friends as they embark on the first expedition of "the corresponding society of the Pickwick Club." Shot on video, the latter three miniseries are somewhat stodgy in appearance. The adaptations are faithful to a fault, but Dickens' masterful tales provide inspiration enough for the casts who grandly rise to the occasion. --Donald Liebenson

Description

These four acclaimed adaptations bring to life the legendary characters, devastating drama, and coarse humor of one of the world's greatest novelists.

Customer Reviews:

Charles Dickens Collection Volume 2.......2007-09-02

These DVDs were bought for my wife and she has really enjoyed them. She said the quality of the movies was very good and she hopes you will have other BBC productions in the near future featuring other Charles Dickens works.

From my point of view about ordering from Amazon is how easy it is to look for and order movies that you cannot buy in local stores. Thank you.

very good collection.......2007-08-04

I particularly liked the "Pickwick Papers" which I had never seen on film before. It was charming.

More pure enjoyment !.......2007-01-17

With the second volume of immortal works of Charles Dickens, brought to the screen by BBC, the pleasure of watching the first volume gets an extention.
I am a big fan of the classics English literature and especially Dickens. He is simply the genius. In my humble opinion no other English writer can be even compared with him.
Any one of his books is worth reading.
And to watch this BBC dramatization is a great pleasure too - it is true Dickens - bright and sparkling on the screen as he does in every one of his books.
If you are the newcomer to the world of his books - watch the movies and be encouraged to go for reading then. You will never regret.

Excellence in Old England.......2007-01-11

A joyful depiction of one of Charles Dickens writings, the details of the English shops, homes and era dress were fascinating and so believable that it made watching the movie feel as though I was right there. This is on my "to watch often" list.

Captures Dickens' time & place.......2006-10-26

Part of Dickens' genius was the ability to enable the reader to FEEL
the time and place of the storyline unfolding, as well as the visualize
the gamut of intriguing characters.
The BBC has, again, done the same for the viewer. Selection of
locations, environments and characters is simply wonderful -- sure to
keep the viewer engrossed, even though the dialogue is uncompromisingly
British.
The only caveat is that the viewer must remember that these are
ADAPTATIONS of Dickens' novels -- and, therefore, there are omissions
and modifications to the originals.
The modifications make it very easy for teachers to determine whether
or not a student has actually read the novel or just enjoyed the DVD!

Average customer rating:

good color and sets
A sheer delight for Dickens fans

The Pickwick Papers
Starring: Colin Douglas , John Woodnutt , Phil Daniels , Howard Lang (II) , and Shirley Cain
Director: Brian Lighthill
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000FQIRYA
Release Date: 2006-08-15

Description

Mr. Samuel Pickwick, a retired businessman is determined that after a quiet life of enterprise the time has come to set off on an unforgettable excursion accompanied by his three friends - Nathaniel Winkle, who fancies himself as a sportsman, Augustus Snodgrass a passionately natured poet and Tracy Tupman, a plump bachelor who is quite fond of the ladies. The four ramblers travel through the English countryside seeking all forms of adventure and getting into trouble wherever possible.

Customer Reviews:

good color and sets.......2006-10-17

The Pickwick Papers is a superb story, filled with comic situations and building to a climax and satisfying conclusion. Everyone should see a movie version of Pickwick. The question is which version, the 1985 BBC version or the 1952 version.

The 1985 version is a little over 5 hours long or 300+ minutes. There is also a 30 minute reading attached (Simon Callow posing as Dickens, if you can stomach that). The 1952 version is two hours long or 110 minutes.

It never helps a comedy, still less a farce, to adopt a slow pace. And to stop the show every 25 minutes to show titles and credits and to have some idiot tell you what you have just seen and what you are going to see next--this is detrimental to a comedy. The pace of the 1985 is about three times slower than the 1952 version, which moves at a rapid pace.

The result of this pacing is that there is very little in the longer version that is not also in the shorter version, the Christmas celebration at Wartles and a few other touches, like the (unseen) cricket match, the political campaign, and the hunting scenes.

But the most serious problem with the 1985 version is the casting/acting. None of the cast have particularly comic features, and all of them play their parts straight instead of playing them with that touch of the comic that makes such characters amusing. The exception is Sam Weller, who is played better in the 1985 version than in the 1952 version. The actor who played Pickwick was tolerable and sometimes bordered on the comic, but mostly his version of the character ranged from foolish to irritating.

The 1985 version tries to show you a character who exhibits good will. The 1952 version makes you feel good will. (And incidentally, some of the best one-liners in the 1952 version are not even in the book! For those who've read the book, I'll leave it to you to find them. You'll be surprised.)

The problem is that the 1952 version is only on VHS and LP speed at that. Send dunning letters to the copyright owners to put this version on DVD.

A sheer delight for Dickens fans.......2006-08-22

At last on DVD, Charles Dickens' "Pickwick Papers" is brought to life in this great BBC double-sided disc. With a playing time of about six hours, there is much more detail than is to be found in the 1952 film version. And the characters look just like those by Phiz in the original nineteenth century illustrations. The pacing and dialogue is near perfect. The sets and location shots are wonderful. The disc is divided into twelve 30 minute episodes with opening and closing credits between each episode. There's also a bonus feature with Simon Callow doing a reading (in full Dickens garb) of the courtroom scenes from the story. I highly recommend this DVD.

Average customer rating:

The Pickwick Papers
Starring: Pickwick Papers
Manufacturer: Good Times Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00022LINO
Release Date: 2004-07-27

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The Charles Dickens: Pickwick Papers
Starring: Pickwick Papers
Manufacturer: Liberation Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000FO0ABK
Release Date: 2006-08-22

Average customer rating:

Nicholas Nickleby/The Pickwick Papers
Starring: Goodtimes 2pak
Manufacturer: Good Times Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00022LIRU
Release Date: 2004-07-27

The Pickwick Papers [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.4 Import - Australia ]

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The Pickwick Papers [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.4 Import - Australia ]
Director: Brian Lighthill
Manufacturer: Magna Pacific
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

"Australia released, PAL/Region 4 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. LANGUAGES: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), SYNOPSIS: Join Samuel Pickwick, Tupman, Winkle and Snodgrass - the Pickwickians - as they travel through the land and meet the outlandish, striking and memorable characters of Dickensian England. The magic of Christmas at Dingly Dell, the unique Mr Jingle, the down to earth humour of Sam Weller and the farcical incidents at the White Hart Inn - all to be enjoyed in a story that ranks as Charles Dickens' most lively and enjoyable tale. SPECIAL FEATURES: Scene Access, Interactive Menu, "

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The Pickwick Papers (Animated Version)

Manufacturer: Liberty International Publishi
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005QW5M
Release Date: 2001-09-18

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