Masterpiece Theatre: Bleak House (1985– )
"Bleak House" (original title)

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

Stars:

Diana Rigg, Denholm Elliott, Suzanne Burden

3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Diana Rigg	...	Lady Honoria Dedlock (7 episodes, 1985)
Denholm Elliott	...	John Jarndyce (7 episodes, 1985)
Suzanne Burden	...	Esther Summerson (7 episodes, 1985)
Jonathan Moore	...	William Guppy (7 episodes, 1985)
Chris Pitt	...	Jo (6 episodes, 1985)
Robin Bailey	...	Sir Leicester Dedlock (6 episodes, 1985)
Lucy Hornak	...	Ada Clare (6 episodes, 1985)
Philip Franks	...	Richard Carstone (5 episodes, 1985)
Sylvia Coleridge	...	Miss Flite (5 episodes, 1985)
Bernard Hepton	...	Krook (5 episodes, 1985)
Sam Kelly	...	Snagsby (5 episodes, 1985)
Pamela Merrick	...	Hortense (5 episodes, 1985)
Peter Vaughan	...	Tulkinghorn (5 episodes, 1985)
T.P. McKenna	...	Harold Skimpole (4 episodes, 1985)
Brian Deacon	...	Allan Woodcourt (4 episodes, 1985)
Graham Crowden	...	Lord Chancellor (4 episodes, 1985)
Eileen Davies	...	Judy Smallweed (4 episodes, 1985)
Charlie Drake	...	Smallweed (4 episodes, 1985)
Dave King	...	Sergeant George (4 episodes, 1985)
Heather Tobias	...	Jenny (4 episodes, 1985)
Frank Windsor	...	Gridley (4 episodes, 1985)
Robert Urquhart	...	Laurence Boythorn (3 episodes, 1985)
Felicity Finch	...	Rosa (3 episodes, 1985)
Samantha Holland	...	Charley Neckett (3 episodes, 1985)
Harry Jones	...	Phil Squod (3 episodes, 1985)

Storyline

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

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Plot Keywords:

murder | inheritance | lawyer | court | tv mini series | 

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Genres:

Drama | Crime

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Details

Official Sites:

PBS [us]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 April 1985 (UK)

Also Known As:

Masterpiece Theatre: Bleak House

Filming Locations:

Belton House, Belton, Lincolnshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

391 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Last TV drama role of Gerald Flood.

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Connections

Featured in Arena: Drake's Progress (2001)

User Reviews

Bleak House - Diana Rigg

I like this presentation - I have read Bleak House and I know it is so difficult to present the entire book as it should be, and even others like Little Dorrit - I have to admit they did a very good show with the staged Nicholas Nickelby. I love Diana Rigg and I could see the pain of Lady Dedlock, even through the expected arrogance of the aristocracy. I am sorry, I think she is the best Lady Dedlock... I am not sure who could have made a better Jarndyce, but I am OK with Mr. Elliott. It is not easy to present these long Dickens' books - Oliver Twist would be easier - this is a long, and if you don't care for all the legal situations can be dreary or boring. I think this presentation is entertaining enough not to be boring. I just LOVED Mr. Smallweed - it can be entertaining. There is always a child - Jo will break your heart here... I think we should be given a chance to judge for ourselves...

I have to say I loved the show. Maybe if I read the book again, as I usually do, after seeing the movie, maybe I can be more critical. In the meantime - I think it is a good presentation.