"Hard Times" (1977) TV series

Director:

John Irvin

Writers:

Charles Dickens (novel)
Arthur Hopcraft (writer)

Seasons:

1

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel

Awards:

3 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

 (Series Cast [13])

Patrick Allen	...	Thomas Gradgrind (4 episodes, 1977)
Rosalie Crutchley	...	Mrs. Sparsit (4 episodes, 1977)
Michelle Dibnah	...	Sissy Jupe (4 episodes, 1977)
Jacqueline Tong	...	Louisa Gradgrind (4 episodes, 1977)
Timothy West	...	Josiah Bounderby (4 episodes, 1977)
Richard Wren	...	Tom Gradgrind (4 episodes, 1977)
Alan Dobie	...	Stephen Blackpool (3 episodes, 1977)
Barbara Ewing	...	Rachael (3 episodes, 1977)
Edward Fox	...	Capt. James Harthouse (3 episodes, 1977)
Ursula Howells	...	Mrs. Gradgrind (3 episodes, 1977)
Sean Flanagan	...	Bitzer (2 episodes, 1977)
Harry Markham	...	Sleary (2 episodes, 1977)
Peter Martin	...	Waiter (2 episodes, 1977)

Runtime:

UK:60 min (4 episodes)

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Granada Television

The best

This is the best film adaptation of Dickens' best novel. You can't go wrong with this one.

The production is low budget, but that actually works in its favor. The film has a grittiness that is entirely appropriate.

The script is first-rate and the actors are virtuosos across the board. There is not a note in it anywhere that rings false.

If you're tired of the sentimentalism and cartoonish characters usually associated with Dickens, you will be pleasantly surprised. There is none of that here. This is a story about real people. There are no saints, except for Rachel and she's a minor character, and no devils. Even the ostensible villain, Bounderby, is humanized.

Dickens on film doesn't get better than this.