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Nicholas Nickleby

Actor(s): Jamie Bell, Jim Broadbent, Tom Courtenay, Alan Cumming, Edward Fox
Director(s): Douglas McGrath
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Movie Details

MPAA Rating: PG
Movie Release: 2002
DVD Release: 07/22/2003
Format: DVD - Pan and Scan - Closed Captioned
Edition: Special Collection
Audio Tracks: English, French, Spanish
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 2 hrs 12 mins
Studio: MGM
Members Wishing: 3
Genres: Drama, Period Film, Melodrama

DVD Synopsis

One of Charles Dickens' best-loved (and most complex) stories receives its fourth feature film adaptation in this lively historical comedy-drama. Nicholas Nickleby (Charlie Hunnam) is a 19-year-old who becomes the head of the family when his father dies unexpectedly. Keeping watch over his mother (Stella Gonet) and his sister Kate (Romola Garai) becomes an even greater challenge when Nicholas discovers that his father lost the family fortune due to ill-advised investments. Without a shilling to his name, Nicholas turns to his wealthy but unforgiving Uncle Ralph (Christopher Plummer) for help; Uncle Ralph offers to find work for all three, and Nicholas becomes a teacher at a school for unfortunate boys run by Wackford Squeers (Jim Broadbent) and his wife (Juliet Stevenson). Squeers and his wife are cruel and frequently violent toward their charges, and when Wackford, without cause, beats a weak and timid student, Smike (Jamie Bell), Nicholas decides he can take no more and runs away, with Smike in tow. The two young men fall in with a traveling theater troupe run by the genially eccentric Vincent Crummles (Nathan Lane) and his equally flamboyant spouse (Barry Humphries, aka Dame Edna Everage). In time Nicholas returns to London to check in on his sister and mother. To his horror, he learns that Uncle Ralph has promised Kate's hand to Sir Mulberry Hawk (Edward Fox), a wealthy older man with a less-than-wholesome interest in young women. Both Kate and Nicholas are upset at the prospect of this union, and Nicholas attempts to tear his family away from Uncle Ralph's control, beginning with a job working for the warm-hearted Charles Cheeryble (Timothy Spall) and his brother (Gerard Horan). Nicholas also falls in love with the fair Madeline (Anne Hathaway), but when Uncle Ralph learns of Nicholas' plot to foil Kate's impending marriage, he strikes back by kidnapping Smike and attempting to force Madeline to wed Sir Hawk. Actor, writer, and filmmaker Douglas McGrath adapted -Nicholas Nickleby into a screenplay, as well as directing the picture. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Actors

Jamie Bell - Smike
Jim Broadbent - Wackford Squeers
Tom Courtenay - Newman Noggs
Alan Cumming - Mr. Folair
Edward Fox - Sir Mulberry Hawk
Anne Hathaway - Madeline Bray
Charlie Hunnam - Nicholas Nickleby
Christopher Plummer - Uncle Ralph Nickleby
Juliet Stevenson - Mrs. Squeers

Editorial Review of DVD

In this version of the classic Charles Dickens novel, Nicholas Nickleby, MGM has produced an exceptional special edition DVD. For starters, both the 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen version and the pan-and-scan versions are offered on different sides of the disc. The image is marvelous, with warm earthy tones and solid, dense blacks, a thematic element of the film. Skin colors are also right on target, as is detail. It's simply a wonderful transfer that perfectly captures the approach of the film and story. The sound, a 5.1 Dolby Digital track, isn't going to win any awards, but it's perfectly suited for the nature of this film. Dialogue is the center focus, and it's always clear (though subtitles do come in handy at times with the English accents), and the surrounds are used, on occasion, to the right effect. A similarly first-class job has been given to the supplements, which are the same on either side of the disc. Up first is a scene-specific commentary from writer/director Douglas McGrath. His approach is quite "matter of fact," but, at the same time, he offers an abundance of information on the story and the filmmaking process. Rather complete (for its nearly 30-minute length) is a featurette called "Creating a Classic: The Making of Nicholas Nickleby," which, through interviews and location shots, gives a history of the production. Also included is a shorter feature, "The Cast on the Cast," which is just that: comments from cast members about their co-stars. While unquestionably studio fluff, there are many interesting comments to be heard. Of only so much interest are two additional features: a multi-camera view of five different segments of the film and a three-part photo gallery where the images are fairly standard and brief. Finally, along with the trailer for this film, are home video trailers for other MGM titles, such as Evelyn, Die Another Day, and The Princess Bride. ~ Trent Fordham, All Movie Guide

Member Movie Reviews

Kendra M. (KendraM) from NASHVILLE, TN wrote on 3/14/2008...

4 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.

This came as a bit of a surprise, suffice it to say, due to the photo used on the cover. I expected less but was so pleasantly surprised!

I read Nicholas Nickleby years ago and have no plans to read it in the near future. That said, I had forgotten much of the story. It is obvious, though, that even without remembering much of the book nor the story, there is much that has been left out of the movie. No matter. What is left here is perfect. Although we may never know why Ralph Nickleby lost his ten thousand pounds just by watching the film, we understand that there must have been some behind-the-scenes scheming going on and that's perfectly fine.

Although definitely a drama, the comedic elements work so well here to lighten the desperate dark Dickensian times.

The film is perfectly cast. Charlie Hunnam as Nicholas is delightful-- moral, upright, brave. Christopher Plummer was unbelievable. Although he's not seen too much of late, it's great to see him in such a plumb role here. He's marvelous-- nasty and cruel with a small amount of humanity left in him (very small and easy to dismiss) to make him extremely complex rather than a caricature. Nathan Lane was a scene stealer and added a large dose of much needed relief from the darkness. And Jim Broadbent and Juliet Stevenson were incredible-- Juliet Stevenson especially. She delivered each of her lines with perfection. At one point, her husband, the evil Mr. Squeers, tells her that she alone could take away any man's pride more quickly than anyone else in England. Recognizing the statement for the compliment it was meant to be, she responds adoringly.

I cannot recommend this highly enough. Highly watchable! And, for younger viewers (not too young, maybe 10 and up), this is a great intro to Dickens, too.