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Martin Chuzzlewit [1994] (REGION 1) (NTSC)


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A Triumph For the BBC
Review date: 2008-08-18 Rating: 10 out of 10

I had,until i saw this production of Martin Chuzzlewit by the BBC, never read the book. Being a devout reader of Charles Dickens novels, i don't know how this one escaped me. However,after viewing this superb,outstanding production,i was resolved to read the book. I did! All i can say is that the cast of characters in the production so closely resembled the ones in the book,it was as though Charles Dickens himself was present,overseeing and directing the operation.The characters stepped out of the book before the camera! Remakable! A masterpiece indeed and a triumph for the BBC!

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Reviews


True Dickens
Review date: 2007-12-16 Rating: 10 out of 10

I hardly feel able to improve on others' superlatives in reviewing this production. Setting and sets, characters and characterisation, actors and acting. These are the elements that make me return to this wonderful production time and again. With so many fine performances to choose from, it hardly seems fair to single out a few, but bouquets must go especially to Tom Wilkinson (Pecksniff), Paul Scofield (the Brothers Chuzzlewit), Keith Allen (Jonas Chuzzlewit - very scary indeed!), Pete Postlethwaite (Montague Tigg/Tigg Montague), Elizabeth Spriggs (Sairy Gamp) and Sir John Mills, proving once again that blindness need not be a deterrent to his fine portrayal as Chuffey. Others there are: Pauline Turner, Maggie Steed, Joan Sims, Philip Franks, together with Emma Chambers and Julia Sawalha providing a delightful foil to each other as the Pecksniff sisters, Charity and Mercy. I could go on, but it seems superfluous as any lover of Dickens knows that his novels always provide plenty of scope for fine acting. As vividly as the writer paints them, so are they brought to life in this winner of a production.

The BBC at its' brilliant best
Review date: 2007-05-10 Rating: 10 out of 10

Superbly cast, accurately adapted from the novel and wonderfully acted, this production demontrates how good television drama can be. The BBC excels at these 5+ hour adaptations of the classics and this production of Dickens' "Martin Chuzzlewit" ranks alongside Austens'"Pride & Prejudice" as one of the best yet.

Yes, do buy!
Review date: 2007-01-05 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is a long-standing favourite, ever since it was first aired on television in 1994. It just gets better the more I watch it. There are so many subtleties in the plot and jokes. It's often said that Chuzzlewit is one of Dickens' comic masterpieces, and I must confess the odd snort at wry lines like "and many's a day I remember your young ladies playing at buryings in the shop" (the undertaker's shop, that is). And the two nurses pouring gin from a teapot - vial and wonderful.

All the cast are strong. I particularly like Keith Allen's dark Jonus Chuzzlewit as his character slides from a penny-pincher to a wife beater and murder - he's every inch a dangerous-man-to-know. Tom Wilkinson is excellent as the "sleak and sly" hypocrite Pecksniff. And Elizabeth Sprigg's Sarey Gamp makes, what is such a Dickensian character, believable and an unusual combination of hard-hearted and vulnerable.

Give this Dicken's a go. For me it's the best classic dramas to come out of BBC in the last 20 years (although Bleak House vies for that spot)!


another classic from the BBC
Review date: 2006-01-04 Rating: 10 out of 10

I have waited quite a while for this to come out on dvd and it has been well worth the wait.
A rich mans family circle like vultures in the hope of financial reward.He,(the Martin Chuzzlewit of the title),is a grumpy old git and the family are Dickens usual suspects,hypocrites,wasters,stuck-up middle classes,honest as the day is long working class,pale and boring hero & heroine all glued together by a cracking story.
The plot is,as ever with the BBC,faithfully followed and is paced to perfection.
But it's the cast that make this such a success.Tom Wilkinson conveys breathtaking hypocrisy effortlessly,Keith Allen portrays OTT evil just the way Dickens liked it,(I cant help but feel he would make a spot on Bill Sykes),.Pete posslethwaite,Paul Schofield and all involved work their socks off to produce what is one of the finest 'classics'the telly has ever put out.
The picture quality is acceptable.Apparently its been remastered,its certainly not just a straight from video transfer.Sound is a little disapointing,stereo only,but at least its clear.
There are no extras and while this may seem mean I have to say that I bought this from Amazon on region 1 & the price was so cheap even without extras its still fantastic value for money.
If you are looking for superbly acted,paced and produced drama then I can't recommend this highly enough,buy it now!

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Charlie Condou
Jimmy Gardner
Stephen Mapes
Sue Wallace
Lynda Bellingham

Creators:
Stephen Mapes (Primary Contributor)
Lynda Bellingham (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: BBC Warner
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
EAN: 9781419814488
Binding: DVD
ISBN: 1419814486
Number of items: 1
Format: Closed-captioned, Colour, DVD-Video, Original recording remastered, NTSC,
Release date: 2005-09-06
Universal product code (UPC): 794051233424
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Region code: 1
Running time: 334 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1995-03-26
Language: English (Original Language)

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