Posted on 01/08/2021 5:08:14 AM PST by C19fan
I checked out this BBC mini-series free for Amazon Prime members. It is a mish-mash of characters from various Dickens novels, especially "A Christmas Carol", "Great Expectations", "Bleak House", and "Oliver Twist", thrown in together with a murder mystery as the pivot point. Besides the murder of Jacob Marley, the other main storyline is why Miss Havisham became the old woman before her time reckloose decaying at Satis House.
I really enjoyed Stephen Rea as Inspector Bucket, the first detective portrayed in a fictional work. He has this bloodhound quality about him.
For me, I could not stop ogling at Tuppeance Middleton as the young Miss Havisham. What a beauty as she is all nicely dressed in beautiful Mid-Victorian frocks.
A fun mental exercise is to try to notice how the screenwriter makes subtle changes from the novel to fit this story.
One thing I smiled about is Pauline Collins as Mrs. Gamp. She basically plays the same character, Miss Flite, she portrayed in the BBC Mini-series "Bleak House". I learned she also played Queen Victoria in one of my favorite Doctor Who episode "Tooth and Claw".
Probably the series could have been streamlined by eliminating the Bumble sub-plot. It did not really add anything to the overall plot.
The costumes were top notch although the entire story occurred in a rather cramped setting.
On my scale of 1 to 5 bonnets, I give this 4 bonnets.
I agree with your score. I saw it a couple years ago & enjoyed it. I think anyone with a knowledge of Dickens would like it.
Do you know if it’s still available on Prime?
Just confirmed it is available and free for Amazon Prime members.
Thanks for the review. I will look for the program.
I haven’t seen it, but I enjoyed the 2005 Bleak House with Gillian Anderson.
“I really enjoyed Stephen Rea...”
‘The Crying Game.’ I love him in anything. Thanks for the recommendation.
Thank you!
I haven’t seen it, but I enjoyed the 2005 Bleak House with Gillian Anderson.
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