David Copperfield

It's about as thorough an adaptation of a Dickens novel that one could hope for, but unfortunately I just couldn't get myself immersed in it due to the community-theater-quality acting. Lady Trotwood was the only believable character in the first episode. The others... well, it wouldn't be fair to call them "bad" exactly. If this were a high-school one-act play, you'd pat them on the back and tell them "well done". But for a BBC production of one of history's all-time great novels? Not for a moment did I forget that I was watching actors. It's a shame, because again, it's quite thorough -- superior in that regard to several other adaptations.

This is a beautifully scripted and acted version of the Dickens novel. The mini-series form allows the most detailed and complete rendition yet. Performances are especially fine, with three fine young Davids (though none to compare with the definitive Freddie Bartholomew), and a Mr. Macawber by Simon Callow to rank with the classic W.C.Fields. This is the only adaptation I've seen to rival the wonderful David O. Selznick Hollywood B&W film. This surely will sound like heresy to many British folk, but Selznick's film sets the stage for his masterful paring-down of Gone With the Wind, and gives the essentials for our enjoyment. Still, I wish this BBC mini-series would be issued for home video (ONE multi-layered DVD would do it). Then I could play it for my bright young nieces. Such exposure MIGHT even lead them to read the book when they get a little older, just as the Selznick did for me. Top marks all round!!

I remember watching this adaptation of Dickens'masterpiece "David Copperfield" on BBC back in 1986, and I had fond memories of it. Therefore I was exited when I found the DVD of this series in a shop this December. Now watching the whole series again after so many years, I'm still pleased to see how 'complete'the story is. Many adaptations of DC leave out some characters from the original novel or skip some episodes. The classic adaptation with W.C. Fields leaves out the whole Salem House school episode, thus robbing the viewer of one of the more memorable character Mr. Creackle; and I still don't see why they decided to do it that way for it forced the scriptwriter to find a new way to introduce Steerforth into the story. And poor Tommy Traddles! Always a sort of underdog in the novel and obviously regarded as an insignificant figure by many who adapted DC for the screen, as his character is mostly dropped. it's so good that this series does not follow that trend and show Traddles 'in his full glory'. Overall the acting is excellent;it's also good that the grown David looks convincingly like David as child. Heartily recommended!

I enjoyed this production so much I am still seeking a copy of it 20 years later. Simon Callow's portrayal was the best Wilkins Micawber ever! What a thrill to hear him shout,"You,you, Heep of infamy!" I have yet to find another production of David Copperfield that I like as much as this one from 1986. The musical score was so appealing. The entire cast was exceptional. I just finished watching the 1999 ExxonMobil Masterpiece Theater production with a very young Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter)and it was also very excellent. This version includes a masterful performance by Maggie Smith as Aunt Betsey Trotwood. However, I still find myself longing to watch this 1986 version again. Colin Hurley will always be my favored vision of Mas'r Davy. Thorley Walters will always be my Mr. Dick. I do hope the BBC will release this on DVD. I would buy it in a heartbeat!

Like another person who posted here, I have a fond memory of this BBC miniseries presented here in the States on Masterpiece Theater on PBS. I have been hoping that it will pop up on home video at some point. I see IMDB doesn't have complete cast/crew details for this one and I'm hoping that someone will supply them eventually. It's great to see another person remembering and requesting this fine adaptation, which as I recall appeared on PBS just after another treat, the "Fortunes of War" miniseries that brought Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson together for the first time.