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This filmed version of the classic Dickens tale has all the strengths of his narrative (humorously ironic dialogue, melodramatic plotlines, vivid characterization) without the occasional sloppy sentimentality that mars some of his early work. Peter Ustinov gives a solid performance as the gambling addicted grandfather whose good intent is undermined by his inner demons & Tom Courtney is a magnificently evil villain as the London loan shark cum racket boss who menaces everyone in his circle. Little Nell is often seen by modern readers as an insipid "good girl" but in most dramatized versions of the novel she can become an admirable young woman leading a harsh but honorable life; it's to the credit of Sally Walsh that her characterization does make you care for her & appreciate the bittersweet- happy conclusion to the saga. The settings marvelously evoke the 1839 setting & the supporting characters both comical & villainous add to the "tapestry of good & evil" you find in the "magic realist" Dickensian world. All in all this is an entertaining introduction to viewers who have only a cursory knowledge of early Victorian literature, it's also a vibrant stand alone film which respects Dickens' style while maintaining its own creative vision. Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
This is a decent adaption of one of Dickens' most beloved but lesser known novels about a gambling grandpa trinket shopkeeper and his granddaughter stalked by a miser dwarf they're in debt to. Viewers are reminded there was once a such thing as debtor's prison in the old country and you could be jailed for it. And Ustinov is at home in his skin as the grandfather. But Tom Courtenay as Quilp provides too much of a hard take on one of the Victorian Age's most comic villains. This show suffices as a fair intro to Dickens. But the 1979 BBC 4 hour mini series version is more faithful to the picaresque novel's literal and dramatic origins.
It's a great story by a great author. The dvd really makes you feel like you're in the story.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
VERY GOOD FILM INTERESTING CHARACTERS GREAT ACTING WORTH WATCHING
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I enjoyed this movie immensly. A person should really like older type movies (classics) like this one to understand what is put into this movie. It is a movie that I easily recognize as one I have watched, compared to "let's see, what was that about. I didn't have to think about what it was about, it stays with you. I am glad to have internet to find good movies like this one.
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