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IMDbPro

The Personal History of David Copperfield

  • 2019
  • 13
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
23K
YOUR RATING
Nigel Betts, Darren Boyd, Peter Capaldi, Frankie Fitzgerald, Bronagh Gallagher, Hugh Laurie, Tilda Swinton, Paul Whitehouse, Anthony Welsh, Gwendoline Christie, and Morfydd Clark in The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)
From birth to infancy, from adolescence to adulthood, the good-hearted David Copperfield (Dev Patel) is surrounded by kindness, wickedness, poverty and wealth, as he meets an array of remarkable characters in Victorian England. As David sets out to be a writer, in his quest for family, friendship, romance and status, the story of his life is the most seductive tale of all.
Play trailer2:04
19 Videos
99+ Photos
Coming-of-AgePeriod DramaComedyDrama

A modern take on Charles Dickens's classic tale of a young orphan who is able to triumph over many obstacles.A modern take on Charles Dickens's classic tale of a young orphan who is able to triumph over many obstacles.A modern take on Charles Dickens's classic tale of a young orphan who is able to triumph over many obstacles.

  • Director
    • Armando Iannucci
  • Writers
    • Armando Iannucci
    • Simon Blackwell
    • Charles Dickens
  • Stars
    • Dev Patel
    • Hugh Laurie
    • Tilda Swinton
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    23K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Armando Iannucci
    • Writers
      • Armando Iannucci
      • Simon Blackwell
      • Charles Dickens
    • Stars
      • Dev Patel
      • Hugh Laurie
      • Tilda Swinton
    • 344User reviews
    • 186Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 19 wins & 32 nominations total

    Videos19

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:04
    Official Trailer
    International Trailer #2
    Trailer 2:29
    International Trailer #2
    International Trailer #2
    Trailer 2:29
    International Trailer #2
    International Trailer
    Trailer 1:46
    International Trailer
    The Personal History of David Copperfield
    Trailer 2:09
    The Personal History of David Copperfield
    The Personal History of David Copperfield
    Trailer 1:46
    The Personal History of David Copperfield
    Dev Patel on the Roles That Changed His Life
    Clip 1:44
    Dev Patel on the Roles That Changed His Life

    Photos193

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    + 187
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    Top cast87

    Edit
    Dev Patel
    Dev Patel
    • David Copperfield
    Hugh Laurie
    Hugh Laurie
    • Mr Dick
    Tilda Swinton
    Tilda Swinton
    • Betsey Trotwood
    Peter Capaldi
    Peter Capaldi
    • Mr Micawber
    Fisayo Akinade
    Fisayo Akinade
    • Markham
    Nikki Amuka-Bird
    Nikki Amuka-Bird
    • Mrs. Steerforth
    Albie Atkinson
    • Mealy Potatoes
    Aneurin Barnard
    Aneurin Barnard
    • Steerforth
    Tuwaine Barrett
    Tuwaine Barrett
    • Referee Boy
    Nigel Betts
    Nigel Betts
    • Creditor
    Ruby Bentall
    Ruby Bentall
    • Janet
    Darren Boyd
    Darren Boyd
    • Murdstone
    Gwendoline Christie
    Gwendoline Christie
    • Jane Murdstone
    Morfydd Clark
    Morfydd Clark
    • Clara Copperfield…
    Daisy May Cooper
    Daisy May Cooper
    • Peggotty
    Matthew Cottle
    Matthew Cottle
    • Mr Spenlow
    Faisal Dacosta
    Faisal Dacosta
    • Mick Walker
    Glen Davies
    • Coalman
    • Director
      • Armando Iannucci
    • Writers
      • Armando Iannucci
      • Simon Blackwell
      • Charles Dickens
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews344

    6.423.4K
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    Featured reviews

    8thisisthemotherhood

    Brilliant performances all around and the film is a welcome escape from the current lack of whimsy in the world.

    Dev Patel carries the role of David Copperfield gracefully and naturally. He meets many characters along the way that vividly come to life on screen in ways that make you feel as though you are reading the descriptions as they unfolded on the page. They are almost caricatures in a very whimsical and delightful way. The rollercoaster that takes David from being the only son of a widow to the discarded baggage of a new marriage also makes him the guest in an overwhelmingly loving (yet constantly indebted) family. The ride continues as he becomes a young man on the run and on his fresh start as a gentleman with a past and then finally landing as a man in love with a girl who is out of place in his story.

    Though we are introduced to a wonderful array of supporting characters who help David on his long and winding journey, we do not get to spend enough time getting to know them because of the fast pace of the film. We feel his connection to them based on all of the great performances, however, it is tough to stay connected to them on the other side of the lens as the pace through situations races ahead. The third act of the film is where it is felt the most. As all of the characters come together for a very satisfying ending, it would have been nice to have more time with the characters as they enjoy the spoils of ride they took together.

    In the end, this is a redemption story about a very interesting character and his extraordinarily interesting life. David and his engaging journey have every element needed to go from whimsical to scary to revenge filled and eventually a satisfying conclusion. I would definitely recommend it. There are brilliant performances all around and the film is a welcome escape from the current lack of whimsy in the world.
    7eddie_baggins

    A fun new take on a classic Dickens tale

    Scottish director Armando Iannucci isn't the first name that springs to mind when one thinks of a director of Charles Dickens novels but the famed comedic filmmaker makes for a refreshing behind camera master of this more modern take on Dicken's semi-autobiographical tale.

    Renowned for some of the modern era's greatest politically astute comedies in the form of In the Loop and The Death of Stalin, as well as extensive work on hit TV show Veep, Iannucci dials things back quite a bit here without ever losing sight of the oddball humor that has made his career so enjoyable, as we follow Dev Patel's kind hearted David Copperfield across a multi-year journey of trials and tribulations as he tries to find his way in a world that seems intent on knocking him down.

    Not following any particular one plot thread, the film takes on board Copperfield's experience's being raised by Peter Capaldi's money waster Mr Micawber, his teenage years education and most importantly his life-defining relationship with Tilda Swinton's oddball aunt Betsey Trotwood and her mentally unhinged friend Mr. Dick, played wonderfully by Hugh Laurie.

    There's a lot to cram into History's two hour run-time, one that Iannucci at times struggles to balance out, with the films later stages in particular feeling as though they could've had more time to breath but overall the film remains an entertaining and enthusiastic rendition of a story that has stood the test of time.

    Front and centre throughout are some fantastic production values to this independent film, duly noted in the films large collection of nominations at last years British Independent Film Awards and another great lead performance from Dev Patel, who much like his fellow Skins graduate Nicholas Hoult has proven time and time again that his one of the most assured performers working today.

    Patel's infectiously enjoyable performance is a genuine example of a film that is having a lot of fun with its narrative and one were the cast and crew clearly had a ball bringing it to life, while its likely to divide die-hard Dicken's fans, its great to see a director of Iannucci's skill-set tackle such a task.

    Final Say -

    It may not be quite up to the high-standards of the best Dicken's features but The Personal History of David Copperfield is a joyous little film with a lot of heart and a killer on-song cast to boot.

    3 1/2 heavy cakes out of 5
    6Xstal

    Not Quite as Good as I'd Hoped...

    Some profoundly eccentric characters but the performances seemed a little forced and the connection you need to carry them over the line was missing for the most part.
    7jacobwelby-74386

    Ignore all the thinly veiled reviews

    This is a fun and enjoyable movie. The weird comments by people who can't comprehend a non-white cast are baffling. If you can't enjoy a film because of the colour of actor's skin, that's your problem, not the film's.
    6gilliandawe91

    Disappointing Adaptation

    I finally finished the novel today, after months of hiding from the trailer for this film, and I was thrilled to watch. I understand that a lot of things are going to be changed and condensed from a 900 page novel into a 2 hour movie but boy, they made nearly all of the opposite decisions I would've made on what to keep and what to throw away. Mr. Dick must've gotten 10 times the screen time as Peggotty and Mr. Peggotty who were two of my favourite characters in the novel. In the beginning, I really enjoyed the whimsical nature, however, the whimsy seems to have disappeared after the first half, leaving me to wonder why it was added at all? I loved the diversity in the cast, and what a cast it was, but wow.. just a really disappointing adaptation of a beautiful novel.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Morfydd Clark plays two characters in the film - Clara Copperfield (David's mother) and Dora Spenlow - the protagonist's love.
    • Goofs
      When David's mother is giving birth to him, she lifts her right foot to the stool and her sneaker is briefly visible.
    • Quotes

      [last lines, to his younger self]

      David Copperfield: Don't worry. You'll make it through. And you'll have quite the ride on the way.

    • Crazy credits
      The end credits are supposed to be listed in alphabetical order, however, Paul Whitehouse is billed above Ben Whishaw whereas they should be the other way around.
    • Connections
      Featured in Amanda the Jedi Show: 'Faster than your First Time' Reviews (Joker, Jojo Rabbit, Lucy in the Sky and everything else) (2019)
    • Soundtracks
      Auld Lang Syne
      Traditional

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    FAQ

    • How long is The Personal History of David Copperfield?
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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 26, 2021 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • arabuloku.com
      • Official Facebook
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Історія Девіда Копперфілда
    • Filming locations
      • King's Lynn, Norfolk, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • FilmNation Entertainment
      • Film4
      • Wishmore
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $15,600,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,876,298
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $475,800
      • Aug 30, 2020
    • Gross worldwide
      • $14,399,270
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 59 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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    Nigel Betts, Darren Boyd, Peter Capaldi, Frankie Fitzgerald, Bronagh Gallagher, Hugh Laurie, Tilda Swinton, Paul Whitehouse, Anthony Welsh, Gwendoline Christie, and Morfydd Clark in The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)
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