Search - Charles Dickens on DVD

Charles Dickens

Don Schilling | Los Angeles, CA | 02/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The following is the item description found on the back of the box..

"This comprehensive three DVD boxed set explores the life, times, and works of Charles Dickens, the great Victorian author. Dickens is undoubtedly one of the great literary geniuses of all time, yet there is much about his incredible life that remains unknown. His is a fascinating story - from rags to riches - complete with bankruptcy, prison, forced child labour, fame and fortune, overshadowed by guilt and secrecy.

The full content of this box set demonstrates how much Dickens drew upon his own experiences when writing fiction.

DVD 1 - UNCOVERING THE REAL DICKENS
The great author's fascinating biography, presented by Peter Ackroyd is an innovative mix of documentary and dramatic reconstruction which vividly protrays his extrodinary life. Resembling the plot of one of his novels, this lavish literary production sets out to blur the lines between Dickens' fiction and his own life. The cast includes Anton Lesser, Prunella Scales and Timothy West (176 mins)

DVD 2 - DAVID COPPERFIELD
The classic 1999 BBC version of the most autobiographical of Dickens novels staring Bos Hoskins, Daniel Radcliffe, Maggie Smith, Ian McKellan, Zoe Wanamaker and Nicolas Lyndurst. Three hours of classic BBC drama. (186 minutes)

DVD 3 - A CHIRSTMAS CAROL
At his house, a group of friends and relatives listen to Dickens as he tells his Christmas story. Anton Lesser as Dickens, brings this classic gost story to life in a masterly and haunting way. (97 minutes)

SONGS FROM GRAPE LANE
The 12-year-old Dickens escapes his miserable daily life and the blacking facotry to enjoy an brief spell of raucous tavern entertainment. Lucy Skeaping's ensemble performs deliciously seedy pub songs from Dicksian London in the mid-19th century. (25 mins)

THE MAKING OF 'UNCOVERING THE REAL DICKENS'
A surprising look behind the scenes of this evocative production (27 mins)"

- Opus Arts 2003

"

What is missing

Rich | van nuys, ca ,usa | 04/28/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"i found it very disappointing to discover there were no subtitles for the hearing impaired. its difficult enough to catch the vagaries of cockney, seaside and lower class accents when you can hear perfectly but almost impossible with any actual hearing loss. for a series released so recently this seems a grevious oversight. the narration was clear enough with the volume raised to the point of disturbing the neighbors but "David Copperfield" did not have that advantage. i would not purchase this edition knowing that in advance."