David Copperfield

Rating:
Summary: Could not even finish watching it! ZERO STARS!
Review: This DVD seemed a bargain, as it was a period piece with a most illustrious cast. Being a lover of period pieces and a fan of Charles Dickens, I immediately snapped it up. Well, you get what you pay for. Despite the illustrious cast, this body of work is dead on arrival.

Robin Phillips gamely plays the part of David Copperfield. He is, however, a rather colorless chap and is not strong enough to hold this film together, which is unfortunate, as he is the linchpin around which this drama revolves. Told in a series of flashbacks, this contrivance is one of the weaknesses in the film, as it tends to be confusing and adds nothing to the film, but rather, detracts a great deal. This retropsective of David Copperfield's life shows him losing his mother at an early age and being left in the hands of an unloving stepfather. Pulled out of school to toil in a factory as a young child, he runs away and makes it to the home of his loving aunt who raises him. The viewer watches him grow up in Victorian England and sees how he fairs against the vicissitudes of life. The cast of characters with whom he interacts is vibrant, and it is they who manage to keep this two hour film somewhat afloat. Ultimately, however, it tanks.

The all star ensemble is a plethora of riches, with screen greats Richard Attenborough, Ron Moody, Lawrence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, Michael Redgrave, Dame Edith Evans, Wendy Hiller, Susan Hampshire, and Pamela Franklin lighting up the screen at different moments. Even their individual, luminous performances, however, are not enough to make this turkey work, so poorly put together and choppy is the film.

The DVD is offers some special features, such as a classic cartoon, a movie trivia game, and a DVD dictionary. The picture quality is sometimes grainy, though the sound quality is good.

Rating:
Summary: Terrific Cast, slow moving production
Review: This DVD of Dickens "David Copperfield" is a well made version of the book with a wonderful cast of British superstars.Lawrence Olivier in what is basically a cameo is Mr. Creakle, the school master, Ralph Richardson is a wonderful McCawber, Dame Edith Evans shines as Aunt Betsy, Ron Moody is creepy as Uriah Heep - all contribute wonderful performances to this modestly priced DVD. With a cast like this, it is a real bargin. But, it does have some flaws. It is very slow paced. It seems like it is being stretched at some points to fill a 2 hour running time. Robin Phillips is a rather passionless title character.

The color is subdued as fits the period. The direction by Delbert Mann is also subdued, but fitting in a number of scenes. Even with the all star cast, there is no upstaging or scene stealing. Each star contributes a finely drawn character.

The disk does not contain any extras for the film itself, but does have a movie trivia game and a vintage Warner Brothers cartoon.

All in all it is a nice addition to a DVD collection of a Dickens masterpiece.

Rating:
Summary: YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR...
Review: This DVD seemed a bargain, as it was a period piece with a most illustrious cast. Being a lover of period pieces and a fan of Charles Dickens, I immediately snapped it up. Well, you get what you pay for. Despite the illustrious cast, this body of work is dead on arrival.

Robin Phillips gamely plays the part of David Copperfield. He is, however, a rather colorless chap and is not strong enough to hold this film together, which is unfortunate, as he is the linchpin around which this drama revolves. Told in a series of flashbacks, this contrivance is one of the weaknesses in the film, as it tends to be confusing and adds nothing to the film, but rather, detracts a great deal. This retropsective of David Copperfield's life shows him losing his mother at an early age and being left in the hands of an unloving stepfather. Pulled out of school to toil in a factory as a young child, he runs away and makes it to the home of his loving aunt who raises him. The viewer watches him grow up in Victorian England and sees how he fairs against the vicissitudes of life. The cast of characters with whom he interacts is vibrant, and it is they who manage to keep this two hour film somewhat afloat. Ultimately, however, it tanks.

The all star ensemble is a plethora of riches, with screen greats Richard Attenborough, Ron Moody, Lawrence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, Michael Redgrave, Dame Edith Evans, Wendy Hiller, Susan Hampshire, and Pamela Franklin lighting up the screen at different moments. Even their individual, luminous performances, however, are not enough to make this turkey work, so poorly put together and choppy is the film.

The DVD is offers some special features, such as a classic cartoon, a movie trivia game, and a DVD dictionary. The picture quality is sometimes grainy, though the sound quality is good.