Reviews & Ratings for
"The Pickwick Papers" More at IMDbPro »

34 out of 35 people found the following review useful:
Dickens' Early Classic Given The BBC Family Serial Treatment, 5 April 2004
Author: tom-cotterill from Bearwood, England

Although considered lightweight when compared to later works, this (to date) most recent adaptation of Dickens' first major work is still a delight.

Nigel Stock was born to play this role after decades of creditable character parts and a short-lived lead as Owen M.D. a spin-off from the BBC soap opera, The Newcomers (1967-1971). Another notable performance is from Patrick Malahide as Mr Jingle.

At the time it was a revelation, as Malahide was then principally known for his role of Chisholm in the Euston Films series Minder. Almost stealing the show from both Stock & Malahide however is Phil Daniels as Sam Weller, unsuprising as Weller is one of the stand out characters in Dickens' novel. Daniels however manages, to give his portrayal an added flourish, proving that he was more talented than his roles to that date had revealed. Jack Davies' adaptation is creditable, as is the direction from Brian Lighthill, although the original broadcast format of twelve 30 minute episodes diminished the impact on audiences. I would have preferred less episodes of longer duration. The BBC Video presentation released in the late 80's edited all but the opening & final titles (plus the excellent narration from Ray Brooks), reducing the running time to 5 hours.

To date, this remains the best adaptation and deserves a DVD release, hopefully with all Ray Brooks' narration restored.

2 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
Funny, pathetic, entertaining, romantic, 26 February 2011

Author: Dr Jacques COULARDEAU from Olliergues, France

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Twelve episodes of the adventures of this strange Pickwick who looks like an obese penguin and walks like one. He was in business and made money. In his older age he decided to create a Club and to go around in the world with a few younger men to discover and enjoy that world of theirs. That leads him into strange places, some fine like rich gentlemen farmers, some shadier like an actor and his servant using their art to confuse and abuse people out of their money mostly, some even dark like an attempt by some women to make him pay for a promise he did not make though he did comfort them in some mishap of theirs and this episode will end up in court and in prison. What is superb is in fact the great benevolence of this rich businessman deprived of a family and relatives and his desire to do good to and with other people. It shows how the world reacts to this benevolence. Mostly they take advantage, or at least try to, of the situation. But Mr. Pickwick is a fighter and he can be very nasty at times, though he prefers liking people. He will help solve some problems and redress or reform some people and the whole series ends up with three weddings of absolutely nothing but love, two already performed and a third one to be performed. Mr. Pickwick will retire in some village not too far from London with his servant and the newly appointed housekeeper who is to become his servant's wife. The series is dynamic, in no way pretentious but entertaining and funny. The actor personating Pickwick is at times pathetic but always so romantic, his heart on his hand for everyone to take and yet a big cudgel behind his back for those who might intend to misuse it.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

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