The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby

I watched the film on TV, because I was, at the time reading the book. I wanted to see if they were the same. I recorded it on video, which I am pleased to say I did, for I have watched it many times again! I really loved the film, and I found James D'Arcy TOTALLY gorgeous! In the novel it says, Nicholas was a good looking gentleman with a slight though manly figure....straight legs the lot! James D'Arcy is PERFECT if you ask me! I'd love to meet him, because he really played a great part. The film itself, with the evil, sinister Ralph Nickelby and the fussing Mrs. Nickelby was great. Mr. Mantalini makes everyone laugh, the sardonic attitude he carries! I give this film a TEN out of TEN and recommend it to anyone who wants to watch a good drama!

The leading roles of Nicholas, Kate, and Smike are performed with great empathy, wonderful naturalness, admirable restraint, and endearing conviction by their respective actors James D'Arcy, Sophia Myles, and Lee Ingleby. Charles Dance as Ralph Nickleby portrays an icily Dickensian villain, and Gregor Fisher an indeed despicable head of a school. Superb photography conveys the changing moods and varied scenes excellently. The smooth connectedness of the film easily allows the viewer to enter into and remain as an observer of the action. Scenes of merriment, tender affection, and gripping terror add up to a truly powerful dramatization on film.

After suffering though the lackluster new theatrical film - poor Charlie Hunnam has to be the least talented young actor thrust into a lead role in a long, long time - I was more than grateful to catch the Company Television miniseries version on Bravo. Not only is this adaptation blessed with a Nicholas who really can act - James D'Arcy is particularly fine in the role - but director Stephen Whittaker and screenwriter Martyn Hesford have done a remarkable job of maintaining the sweep and period feel of Dickens' huge, slightly flabby novel. (Take that, Douglas McGrath!) Well cast over all - Charles Dance is wonderfully subtle as the greedy, coldhearted Ebeneezer Scrooge prototype, Uncle Ralph Nickleby - this made for television NICKLEBY stands high above McGrath's boneheaded, miscast (save for Jim Broadbent as a gleefully wicked Squeers) & period-challenged Cliff Notes-meets-Reader's Digest version. Skip that wee bit of Dickens Lite in favour of this robust, full strength version.

I fell head over heels for this film! This movie made me laugh, cry, and had me glued to my seat for the entire 4-something hours it comprises. I love Dickens, but had not read NN prior to seeing this film. After watching it, however, it inspired me to read the book. I found it to be a very faithful adaptation of Dickens' huge novel. The acting is superb. Charles Dance is excellent in his subtly cold Ralph Nickelby. I love the way he lets just the slightest flicker of emotion register in his eyes or the set of his jaw, but no more, which is perfect for a character who detests any feeling but greed. Smike is also perfect in his emaciated, stuttering patheticness. And Nicholas! Well, he's not only beautiful, but is a wonderful actor as well. He has all the innocence and smoldering passion the character requires. This film clarifies some of the grim realities that the Victorian Dickens only hinted at, and while it has wonderful moments of humor and kindness, this is no glossy, fluffy caricature, like McGraw's Hollywood-pretty version, which I hated. The acting is infinitely superior too! A truly wonderful film.

I'm really really fussy about Dickens adaptations, Nicholas Nickleby has been a favourite book of mine for years and years. But this one was brilliant, James D'Arcy was the perfect Nicholas and Sophia Miles was a perfect Kate. James D'Arcy and Charles Dance really suit Period Dramas, they make them believable. The casting, the script and costumes = fabulous. It's turned into one of my favourite Period Dramas & frankly, compared to the newest Nicholas Nickleby (the film)...it's just a masterpiece. Give me ITV English Dramas any day!