"The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby" (1982) TV mini-series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

10 January 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Young Nicholas Nickleby sets out to make his fortune in order to prevent his mother and sister from depending upon his uncle...

Plot Keywords:

Money | Headmaster | Charles Dickens | Victorian Era | TV Mini-Series

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Alun Armstrong	...	Mr. Wagstaff / ... (2 episodes, 1982)
Suzanne Bertish	...	Fanny Squeers / ... (2 episodes, 1982)
Janet Dale	...	Miss Knag / ... (2 episodes, 1982)
Jane Downs	...	Mrs. Nickleby / ... (2 episodes, 1982)
Lila Kaye	...	Mrs. Crummels / ... (2 episodes, 1982)
John McEnery	...	Mr. Mantalini / ... (2 episodes, 1982)
Bob Peck	...	John Browdie / ... (2 episodes, 1982)
Edward Petherbridge	...	Newman Noggs / ... (2 episodes, 1982)
Roger Rees	...	Nicholas Nickleby (2 episodes, 1982)
Emily Richard	...	Kate Nickleby / ... (2 episodes, 1982)
David Threlfall	...	Smike (2 episodes, 1982)
Thelma Whiteley	...	Madame Mantalini / ... (2 episodes, 1982)
John Woodvine	...	Ralph Nickleby / ... (2 episodes, 1982)

Runtime:

USA:135 min (four episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Old Vic Theatre, Waterloo Road, South Bank, London, England, UK

Company:

Channel 4 Television Corporation

Trivia:

The entire production, both on stage and on television, used 39 actors playing more than 100 characters. Only Roger Rees (Nickleby) and David Threlfall (Smike) played one role each. The role of Smike was so physically demanding that Threlfall took a year break from acting to recuperate.

Movie Connections:

Version of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (2001) (TV)

Nine hours of utter enthralment!

This RSC filmed nine hour long stage production is without doubt the most comprehensive, compelling and wonderfully unmissable adaptation of any Dickens novel ever made. If I could give it more than 10 out of 10 I would.

Brilliant stage work, superb acting from every single member of the impressive cast, and good musical direction, and even incorporated audience participation. In short, it had the lot. Even for those unfortunate souls who turn their noses up at the classics this is a must see. It may change their minds.

The maddening thing for me is, that although I have the complete production on audio tape, I have only the last episode on video. I hope to rectify this dire omission in my library a.s.a.p.

I realise that the Royal Shakespeare Company has an ever formidable schedule, but I'm led to wonder why it hasn't tried a similar project with other Dickens novels. Could it be that this one is just unsurpassable?