"The Old Curiosity Shop" (1979) TV mini-series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

9 December 1979 (UK)

Plot Keywords:

TV Mini-Series

Cast

Natalie Ogle	...	Little Nell (9 episodes, 1979-1980)
Trevor Peacock	...	Daniel Quilp (9 episodes, 1979-1980)
Granville Saxton	...	Dick Swiveller (9 episodes, 1979-1980)
Sebastian Shaw	...	Grandfather (9 episodes, 1979-1980)
Christopher Fairbank	...	Kit Nubbles (7 episodes, 1979-1980)
Colin Jeavons	...	Sampson Brass (7 episodes, 1979-1980)
Wensley Pithey	...	Single Gentleman (7 episodes, 1979-1980)
Freda Dowie	...	Sally Brass (6 episodes, 1979-1980)
Laurence Hardy	...	Mr. Witherden (5 episodes, 1979-1980)
Keith Hazemore	...	Abel Garland (5 episodes, 1979-1980)
Sandra Payne	...	Mrs Quilp (5 episodes, 1979-1980)
Patsy Byrne	...	Mrs. Nubbles (4 episodes, 1979-1980)
Simon Garstang	...	Little Jacob (4 episodes, 1979-1980)
Annabelle Lanyon	...	Small Servant (4 episodes, 1980)
Brian Oulton	...	The schoolmaster (4 episodes, 1980)

Runtime:

30 min (9 episodes)

Country:

UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

Began filming with Patrick Troughton. When Troughton became indisposed following his heart attack, Trevor Peacock took over the role of Daniel Quilp.

Movie Connections:

Version of The Old Curiosity Shop (1921)

Horribly overacted

I have no wish to be unkind, but the music seems to be the only decent thing about this production. The entire cast of this TV series act as if they were part of a slide show, with one expression each, and overact as though they were performing at the Yankee Stadium to a hearing-impaired crowd with glaucoma. The film's attempts at being funny are lamentable, whereas its attempts at being touching are truly risible. I bought it due to my renewed interest in Dickens after seeing the unmissable 2005 TV version of "Bleak House", and I must say that this version of "The Old Curiosity Shop" is nowhere near it. However can Dickens go so wrong? I should have bought the Peter Ustinov version.