The Old Curiosity Shop (TV 1995)

When young Nell Trent's grandfather loses the investment money of wharf owner Daniel Quilp with cards, Quilp develops an everlasting urge to get him put in the madhouse. Nell and her grandfather flee the city.

Director:

Kevin Connor

Writers:

Charles Dickens (novel), John Goldsmith

Stars:

Alan Barry, Adam Blackwood, Tom Courtenay

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Alan Barry	...	Groves
Adam Blackwood	...	Dick Swiveller
Tom Courtenay	...	Daniel Quilp
Brian de Salvo	...	Debtor Gentleman
Christopher Ettridge	...	Sampson Brass
James Fox	...	Single Gentleman
Ricci Harnett	...	Tom
Gloria Hunniford	...	Flower Seller
Doreen Keogh	...	Mrs. George
Oliver Maguire	...	Stout Gentleman
William Mannering	...	Kit Nubbles
Jean Marlow	...	Mrs. Jintwin
Hamish McColl	...	List
Brian McGrath	...	Schoolmaster
Julia McKenzie	...	Mrs. Jarley

Storyline

1839. The young Nell Trent is leading a happy life with her grandfather in his curiosity shop. Wharf owner Daniel Quilp has given large amounts of money to Nell's grandfather as an investment, expecting a large profit. But when Quilp finds out the old man has lost all the money with playing cards, he is determined to get the man in a madhouse as revenge. Nell and her grandfather are forced to leave their house and to start traveling across the country. But Quilp isn't sitting still, his spies are everywhere. Meanwhile a stranger is also looking for Nell's grandfather.

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Plot Keywords:

charles dickens | based on novel

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild thematic elements

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 March 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Velha Loja de Curiosidades

Filming Locations:

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Disney Channel, RHI Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 184 min (2 parts)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of The Old Curiosity Shop (1962)

User Reviews

Excellent adaptation

I rented this video mistakenly believing that it was a Masterpiece Theater offering. Initially, I was disappointed to see in the credits that it came from the Disney Channel. But only 15 minutes into the story, I realized that this was an excellent adaptation of Dicken's story. The period atmosphere was excellent, as were the costumes and sets. The acting was first-rate, particularly that of Tom Courtney as Quilp and Sally Walsh as Little Nell. Both of these parts could have been played too broadly by less accomplished actors. Sally Walsh's role could have easily become cloying, but she played it with radiant innocence. The villain, Quilp, might well have turned into a scenery-chewing, comic overstatement played by anyone but Courtney. I highly recommend this mini-series to anyone who enjoys film adaptations of 19th century British novels.