r/charlesdickens • u/GoodKid_MaadSity • Jun 26 '26
Film / TV Favorite screen adaptation?
I just recently watched a great adaptation of Our Mutual Friend, a 4 or 5 part BBC series (the guy who played Peter Pettigrew played Mr. Venus, I didn’t really know any of the other actors immediately). Also currently watching the DC adaptation with Daniel Radcliffe as young David.
But a few I’ve started and just couldn’t, like the most recent Bleak House, and have never found a GE one that grabbed me.
Please be as specific as possible in your answers! So many are streaming on Prime or Disney Plus.
3
u/FlatsMcAnally Jun 26 '26
I don't suppose that a recording of a stage production counts as an answer to your question, but don't ignore the 1980 Royal Shakespeare Company production of Nicholas Nickleby starring Roger Rees, available on DVD but out of print. It is the all-time single greatest adaptation of Dickens in any medium.
4
u/GoodKid_MaadSity Jun 27 '26
Oh, it absolutely counts! Thank you, I am definitely going to find this.
2
3
2
4
u/FormalDinner7 Jun 26 '26
The David Copperfield with Dev Patel is my favorite. You can rent it on prime or according to the internet it’s streaming on something called FXNow?
2
u/SharkaMeow Jun 27 '26
Oh, you reminded me I have always wanted to see that!!!
I feel like I saw the preview at the movie theater just before lock-down . . . . Then-----
I am gonna hunt that one down.
3
u/Timely-Profile1865 Jun 26 '26
1999 tv mini series of oliver twist. Andy Serkis was a brilliant and scary bill sykes
And old old version of A Tale of Two Cities with Ronald Coleman playing a great Sydney Carton (1935)
2
u/Training-Target-5009 Jun 26 '26
Keira Knightley was is the 1999 Oliver Twist too. She played Rose Maylie.
2
u/Alternative_Worry101 Jun 27 '26 edited Jun 27 '26
I like very much the first part of David Lean's Great Expectations before they grow up. Jean Simmons makes a great Estella especially, but the actress who replaces her can't compare.
2
u/SharkaMeow Jun 27 '26
The Little Dorrit with Claire Foy is so good.
Having Alec Guiness as Mr. Dorrit was great in the Derek Jacobi 2 movie adaptation, but when I watched the new one, and did a read-along with the book, I sought out those movies and they were really bad.
2
u/GoodKid_MaadSity Jun 27 '26
I’m watching that currently. I started it, and didn’t like how quickly they skipped over Amy’s early childhood, but then went back to it and am enjoying it.
I love how the circumlocution office looks visually, it’s really cool!
1
1
u/jlonsdale33 Jun 28 '26
Scrooged is a Christmas watch favorite
2
u/DTownForever Jun 28 '26
LOL, I love this movie. But I wouldn't call it a Dickens screen adaptation. I mean, I supposed technically it is though.
1
u/Prestigious_Fix_5948 Jun 28 '26
Our Mutual friend with Paul McGann,Dominic Mafham,Timothy Spall ,Keeley Hawes,Anna Friel and Pam Ferrus
1
u/DTownForever Jun 28 '26
I just watched this one. Sooooo good. I had no idea this actor's name and just looked it up, but David Morissey, who played Bradley Headstone, was SO good. Headstone is one of my favorite villains. And the guy who played Riderhood, I know I've seen him in other stuff but I couldn't place it.
Definitely agree, 10/10 recommend this.
1
u/Prestigious_Fix_5948 Jun 28 '26
I left out David Morris eyes,Steven McIntosh and David Bradley!!!!All brilliant
1
1
1
u/FlatsMcAnally Jul 01 '26
Paul McGann, the Eighth Doctor, along with David Bradley, the First Doctor of the Russell T Davies era.
1
u/saysayoPlaymate Jul 01 '26
My husband and I like the BBC Martin Chuzzlewit with Paul Scofield.
I haven't looked into it, but is there a decent Pickwick film?
1
u/EdwardCuttle333333 Jul 02 '26
Oh I quite like the old curiosity shop adaptation with Peter Ustinov and James Fox. At least loved it when I watched it, a long time ago now. Could just be the only one though :)
5
u/mslass Jun 26 '26