The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (2001) (TV)

Director:

Stephen Whittaker

Writers:

Charles Dickens (novel)
Martyn Hesford (adaptation)

Release Date:

29 January 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot Keywords:

Beautiful Woman | Based On Novel | Character Name In Title

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

John Dallimore	...	Vicar
James D'Arcy	...	Nicholas Nickleby
Sophia Myles	...	Kate Nickleby
Diana Kent	...	Mrs. Nickleby
Charles Dance	...	Ralph Nickleby
George Innes	...	Newman Noggs
Abigail McKern	...	Miss La Creevy
Gregor Fisher	...	Mr. Squeers
Archie Preston	...	Small Boy
Berwick Kaler	...	Mr. Snawley
Lee Ingleby	...	Smike
Pam Ferris	...	Mrs. Squeers
Chris Roebuck	...	Wackford Squeers Jnr.
Debbie Chazen	...	Fanny Squeers
Tom Hollander	...	Mr. Mantalini

Also Known As:

Nicholas Nickleby (UK) (short title)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Grassington, North Yorkshire, England, UK

Company:

Company Television

Trivia:

The green Spencer worn by a London extra is the same costume Sylvestra Le Touzel (Fanny Price) wears riding in "Mansfield Park" (1983).

Movie Connections:

Version of Nicholas Nickleby (2002)

Brilliant adaptation

I've not read the book in ages and I haven't seen much of the 2002 film version, but I love this wonderful adaptation of Charles Dickens' "The Life And Adventures Of Nicholas Nickleby".

The acting is first rate for all involved. James D'Arcy as Nicholas Nickleby and Sophia Myles as Kate Nickleby both give a lot of strength and dignity to their roles. Although both characters are presented as quite pure and face a lot of adversity, they are played with such strength you know that they won't let anything destroy them. Charles Dance is compelling as the cold hearted Ralph Nickleby and the many comic grotesques are all very enjoyable and distinctly painted. The pig-like Squeers family in particular- Gregor Fisher, best known for playing Rab C. Nesbitt does fantastic as the monstrous one-eyed Wackford Squeers, Pam Ferris gives good value as drunken Mrs. Squeers, a pre-'Tittybangbang' Debbie Chazen is hilarious as Fanny Squeers- her argument after a game of cards to her much more attractive best friend Tilda is a highlight). The rather dopey Mrs. Nickleby, the air headed dressmakers, the fancy, flamboyant circus-like theatre troupe, the twin Cherrybles, the lecherous old man and the cackling old hag Peg Silderskew (played by the always brilliant Liz Smith) are all great.

This is the first thing I saw Lee Ingleby in. I was very impressed. He does a remarkable job as the tragic Smike. He gives a very moving performance here, conveying the suffering and the innocence of the character very well.

Everything works to set the scene. The scenery shows a lot of wild countryside, the costumes, which earned designer Barbara Kidd a BAFTA are particularly good- even the food used adds to the overall feel of the story. The biggest weakness is the bombastic incidental music. It often drowns the actors out and distracts from the events in the story. Background music should be just that- left in the background to enhance the feel of the scenes rather than dominate them.

A brilliant adaptation by the late Stephen Whittaker as director and Martyn Hesford who adapted it as a script. A credit to TV drama.