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

User Rating:

8.5/10   

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:

Stage | 19th Century | Abuse | Family Relationships | Male Female Relationship

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Alun Armstrong	...	Mr. Squeers / ... (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. Crummles / ... (2 episodes, 1982)
John McEnery	...	Mr. Mantalini (2 episodes, 1982)
Bob Peck	...	Sir Mulberry Hawk / ... (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	...	Mrs. 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)

If you have the chance SEE IT!

I first saw this on TV when I was about thirteen or fourteen and I was absolutely rivited to the screen every Monday for weeks. When they repeated it due to popular demand about three months later I was hooked all over again. It is one of the most amazing television experiences of my life. It is simply sublime.

The acting, the dialogue, the action, the sets, everything is wonderful. Nicholas confronting Sqeers is still one of the most thrilling things I have ever seen and could Smikes' death be any sadder?

Roger Rees is the ideal Nicholas, exuding the right amount of boyish naivety and pluck, David Threlfall was a wonderfully sincere Smike, while special mention must go to Edward Petherbridge whose portrayal of Newman Noggs contained the perfect balance of humour and pathos.

All in all I couldn't recommend it more highly. Ten stars at least.