David Copperfield

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!!

A brilliant adaptation, along with the 1999 and 1935 versions it is one of the best adaptations of possibly one of Charles Dickens' best books. Dickens is very difficult to adapt, and David Copperfield while not as huge as Our Mutual Friend and Bleak House and not with as many subplots is no exception to that. His work is difficult to adapt because of how he wrote about the aesthetics and such of the time; he had a mix of funny comedy, genuine foreboding and heart-breaking tragedy that not all adaptations of his work bring out entirely successfully; and the question of the characters being believable, with the villains not being too camp, the female heroines/characters not being bland and the side characters not being too much like grotesque caricatures.

Back to this David Copperfield, it is atmospheric without being too bleak and sumptuous without being too clean, it's beautifully shot as well. The music is one of the more appealing music scores of any David Copperfield adaptation, haunting and beautiful as one would want. The dialogue flows naturally, is succinct and easy to understand while capturing Dickens' spirit and stylistic flavour, while the story is not too rushed or draggy- even with the story stretched over 10 episodes-, is faithful to the book and Dickens and is comprehensible.

The cast are uniformly strong. Colin Hurley is an identifiable David, a softer interpretation than some but it works and he isn't too bland. Extra marks also for handsomeness and a real effort to make all three Davids alike. The other two younger boys as the character engage too. Standing out in particular in the cast were Simon Callow's unforgettably funny Micawber, Paul Brightwell whose Uriah Heep is an absolute weasel and Oliver Cotton's cruelly chilling and vily cold Murdstone. Brenda Bruce is very good as Betsy Trotwood, and John Savident is one of the more memorable Creakles. Natalie Ogle is beautiful and innocent and Sandra Payne's Mrs Micawber is warm and funny.

Overall, brilliant and one of the best David Copperfield adaptations. 10/10 Bethany Cox

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.

I remember this adaptation from the 80's. I saw it on Masterpiece Theater when I lived in the US. I had it in my personal video collection and watched it over and over again. I thought it was perfect. Simon Callow as Macawber was brilliant. I would love to see it again. I wonder if writing to the BBC would help.

Because it was 10 episodes long, it was very faithful to the book and the attention to detail was excellent.

Every characterization was spot on from Aunt Betsy Trotwood and Mr Dick to the vile Murdstone. The acting was superb.

I also think that the BBC's adaptation of Oliver Twist from around the same time was the best.

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!