Charles Dickens' complex story of young love, murder and the quest for a mystery man's ... more
identity begins to unfold in this adaptation by Arthur Hopcraft. The story of young Esther Summerson, left alone after the death of her Aunt, and John Jarndyee, who ...
This BBC production of a Dickens' 1852 classic novel brings to life a host of famous ... more
characters. It is at the Court of Chancery London where the Jarndyce versus Jarndyce case has dragged on for many years. As new evidence is brought out in court a l...
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It has always been recognized as one of Charles Dickens' literary masterworks, but this ... more
Bleak House is now fast-moving, daring, gripping television. Here is the murder mystery, the love story, the comic genius and the tantalising scandal of the novel but, stripped of its sentimentality, we find ourselves swept along by a pulsating and edgy drama.Out of an interminable court case spin three young people each searching for their place in the world. Their story moves fast - swirling through an incredible array of characters from passionate young lovers to ruthless layers, from an ice-cold aristocratic beauty to a shrewd, relentless detective - until the final thrilling climax.
It has always been recognized as one of Charles Dickens' literary masterworks, but this ... more
Bleak House is now fast-moving, daring, gripping television. Here is the murder mystery, the love story, the comic genius and the tantalising scandal of the novel but, stripped of its sentimentality, we find ourselves swept along by a pulsating and edgy drama. Out of an interminable court case spin three young people each searching for their place in the world. Their story moves fast - swirling through an incredible array of characters from passionate young lovers to ruthless lawyers, from an ice-cold aristocratic beauty to a shrewd, relentless detective - until the final thrilling climax.
As the interminable case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce grinds its way through the Court of ... more
Chancery it draws together a disparate group of people: Ada and Richard Clare whose inheritance is gradually being devoured by legal costs; Esther Summerson a ward of court whose parentage is a source of deepening mystery; the menacing lawyer Tulkinghorn; the determined sleuth Inspector Bucket; and even Jo the destitute little crossing-sweeper. A savage but often comic indictment of a society that is rotten to the core Bleak House is one of Dickens's most ambitious novels with a range that extends from the drawing rooms of the aristocracy to the poorest of London slums.
Postage & Packaging:£0.00 Availability:3-5 working days
It has always been recognised as one of Charles Dickens' literary masterworks, but this ... more
Bleak House is now fast-moving, daring, gripping television, Here is the murder mystery, the love story, the comic genius and the tantalising scandal of the novel but, stripped of its sentimentality, we find ourselves swept along by a pulsating and edgy drama.Out of an interminable court case spin three young people each searching for their place in the world. Their story moves fast - swirling through an incredible array of characters from passionate young lovers to ruthless lawyers, from an ice-cold aristocratic beauty to a shrewd, relentless detective - until the final thrilling climax.With a screen by Andrew Davies (Pride and Prejudice), Bleak House features a galaxy of major stars from feature film, television and comedy.
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Production Year: 1989 - Drama - Director: Ken Cameron - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Nicole Kidman, Denholm Elliott, Hugo Weaving, Joy Smithers, Norman Kaye, Jerome Ehlers, Judy Morris
Advantages: Cast and performances; authentic costumes, makeup, sets; introductory music; brisk pacing. Disadvantages: Anderson too frosty; transitional rapid cuts and swooshing sounds; heavy on the rumbling music.
The latest serialised adaptation of 'BleakHouse' (2005) impressed me enough to bolster my waning faith in that fine institution called the BBC, at least as far as their costume dramas go. I've seen few recent shows that have fully engaged me in the same way their older programmes did. Well, despite some very minor issues addressed below, the superb performances by the cast make this new miniseries (directed by Justin Chadwick and Susanna White) a completely addictive and highly recommended watch.
The story has all the requisite Dickensian elements of eccentric personae with picturesque names, coincidences in characters' lives that strike with unusual frequency, and hidden secrets and undiscovered genealogies that threaten to dramatically alter or even destroy lives with their exposure. The tale is told with a rich blend ...
Advantages: Brilliant, engrossing read Disadvantages: Approach with patience ready for the slow sections!
From the outside, BleakHouse is nothing if not a daunting prospect - my copy was over 800 pages of dusty mid-1800s prose. Even with the benefit of having watched the TV series and so beginning with a reasonable knowledge of plot and characters, I was still expecting the read to be more a trudge than a thrill ride. It caught me by surprise, therefore, how good this book turned out to be.
To begin with, the characterisation was expectional - sympathetic characters such as Esther and Ada, coupled with comedic characters such as Miss Flite and a truly despicable pantomime villian in Mr Tulkinghorn. Along with these traditional character types, Dickens also includes some more complex individuals. Lady Dedlock, the bored noblewoman with a chequered history, is one of my favourite female characters in any book I've read.
Having introduced ...
Advantages: A wonderful adaption of a classic story Disadvantages: A bit pricey, but worth it for fans
I absolutely loved Charles Dickens BleakHouse when it was shown on tv, so was very excited when i bought the dvd so i could watch it all in one go! This 3disc edition is not like the specialedition, it does not have any extras (which would've been nice), but the episodes themselves are entertainment enough. The fold out card dvd case displays all three discs with a montage of characters behind the clear plastic holders. the overall design is inkeeping with the series and provides a good sense of its style, so A+ for that.
You cannot blink once without a recognisable face popping up in each scene...usually i'm not too keen on programmes that simply cram in as many famous actors just to get ratings, however, each character in BBCs BleakHouse is portrayed so memorably and so vividly its hard for anyone to complain. The most noted ...
vickymoo 17.12.2006 (20.12.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Bleak House (DVD)
This BBC production of a Dickens' 1852 classic brings to life a host of famous characters. It is at the Court of Chancery, London, where the Jarndyce versus Jarndyce case has dragged on for many years. As new evidence is brought out in court, a long line of innocent victims are ground down by this suit.
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