"Bleak House" (1985) TV mini-series

Writers:

Charles Dickens (novel)
Arthur Hopcraft (adaptation)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

10 April 1985 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Crime

Plot:

The great case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce drags on, an obsession to all involved. Then a question of inheritance becomes a question of murder.

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Inheritance | Dickens | Marriage | Mother Daughter Relationship

Awards:

3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Suzanne Burden	...	Esther Summerson (4 episodes, 1985)
Diana Rigg	...	Lady Honoria Dedlock (3 episodes, 1985)
Denholm Elliott	...	John Jarndyce (3 episodes, 1985)
Philip Franks	...	Richard Carstone (3 episodes, 1985)
T.P. McKenna	...	Harold Skimpole (3 episodes, 1985)
Chris Pitt	...	Jo (3 episodes, 1985)
Robin Bailey	...	Sir Leicester Dedlock (3 episodes, 1985)
Sylvia Coleridge	...	Miss Flite (3 episodes, 1985)
Graham Crowden	...	Lord Chancellor (3 episodes, 1985)
Bernard Hepton	...	Krook (3 episodes, 1985)
Lucy Hornack	...	Ada Clare (3 episodes, 1985)
Jonathan Moore	...	William Guppy (3 episodes, 1985)
Frank Windsor	...	Gridley (3 episodes, 1985)
Brian Deacon	...	Allan Woodcourt (2 episodes, 1985)
Robert Urquhart	...	Laurence Boythorn (2 episodes, 1985)
Arthur Hewlett	...	Waggoner (2 episodes, 1985)
Sam Kelly	...	Mr. Snagsby / ... (2 episodes, 1985)
Pamela Merrick	...	Hortense (2 episodes, 1985)
Cathy Murphy	...	Housemaid (2 episodes, 1985)
Donald Sumpter	...	'Nemo' (2 episodes, 1985)
Peter Vaughan	...	Tulkinghorn (2 episodes, 1985)

Also Known As:

Masterpiece Theatre: Bleak House (USA)

Runtime:

391 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Bromham Hall, Bromham, Bedfordshire, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Last TV drama role of Gerald Flood.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Navy NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service: Heart Break (#2.8)" (2004)

Tedious production

It's odd to find myself criticizing a production that stars Diana Rigg and Denholm Elliott, but I have no choice. Not only is this miniseries often dull and slow-moving, but it's very hard to follow the story. After watching episode one, I was so confused that I set it aside, and waited until I'd watched the much superior 2005 production with Gillian Anderson.

I picked this up again after seeing the more recent series, so at least I can follow the story. But it's still not that coherent. I haven't read the novel yet, so this production may be more faithful, but it's certainly not very good television. All the interior scenes are so dark (as are the street scenes) that it's sometimes difficult to see clearly. Much of this (in the street scenes, anyway) was apparently done to convey the filth and fog of London --- but they overdid it.

Diana Rigg is a splendid actress, but she has very few scenes in this production, and as she plays the role with any icy hauteur, betraying almost no hint of her vulnerability, it's hard to empathize with her. The rest of the cast tries its best, but this is just not a good script. It's slow and hard to follow.

If you're not familiar with the plot, I recommend the 2005 series with Gillian Anderson as the one to start with. This is one is worthwhile but misfires on many levels. Below par for BBC productions of this vintage.