David Copperfield

Version reviewed was on broadcast TV, dubbed in Spanish language, and shown in 4 consecutive one hour installments. Very well produced adaption of Dickens, David Copperfield. The cinematography, locations, costumes, acting were all superb. In comparison to a two hour David Copperfield one would have expected all the major scenes here to be extended, but many were surprisingly of the same length. What really differentiates this nearly four hour Italian production from the rest is the acting of Gianmarco Tognazzi as Uriah Heep. His interpretation of the character is nothing short of excellent. Never before has such a performance exuded such a slimy snake like eeriness. As the movie progresses Gianmarco's acting soon begins to dominate. This film is well worth watching just for the enjoyment of watching Mr. Tognazzi's interpretation! Furthermore, the story moves along at a rapid pace, not a dull moment to be found.

The precedent user is absolutely right: the acting of Gianmarco Tognazzi as Uriah Heep is nothing short of excellent;without overplaying ,he looks like a venomous snake ,or a spider catching the Wickfield family in his cobweb.

It's a free adaptation of Dickens but the screenplay ,by and large ,is faithful;the differences are not very smart:in the book,David meets Tommy in his school,not in the Murdstone /Grinsby warehouse;the "crows " and the "one and a thousand nights" are pure invention;although Miss Murdstone is Dora's companion,her brother does not want to marry David's love and he does not intervene in his affair;Both Ham and Steerforth survive but the part of Little Em'ly is underwritten .

Acting,with the exception of Tognazzi , is so-so .Giorgio Pasotti is boyish and lacks charisma to portray David successfully;French S.Stevenin turns Steerforth into a male model .the actresses are undistinguished :Miss Murdstone is ridiculous,Clara ,Dora , Emily and Peggotty are insignificant;only Agnes shows some screen presence and the actress seems to support both David and Pasotti.