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    The Personal History of David Copperfield

    • 20192019
    • PGPG
    • 1h 59min
    IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    17K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,078
    491
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    Nigel Betts, Darren Boyd, Peter Capaldi, Frankie Fitzgerald, Bronagh Gallagher, Hugh Laurie, Tilda Swinton, Paul Whitehouse, Anthony Welsh, Gwendoline Christie, and Morfydd Clark in The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)
    From birth to infancy, from adolescence to adulthood, the good-hearted David Copperfield (Dev Patel) is surrounded by kindness, wickedness, poverty and wealth, as he meets an array of remarkable characters in Victorian England. As David sets out to be a writer, in his quest for family, friendship, romance and status, the story of his life is the most seductive tale of all.
    Play trailer2:04
    12 Videos
    99+ Photos
    ComedyDrama

    A modern take on Charles Dickens's classic tale of a young orphan who is able to triumph over many obstacles.A modern take on Charles Dickens's classic tale of a young orphan who is able to triumph over many obstacles.A modern take on Charles Dickens's classic tale of a young orphan who is able to triumph over many obstacles.

    IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    17K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,078
    491
    • Director
      • Armando Iannucci
    • Writers
      • Simon Blackwell(screenplay by)
      • Charles Dickens(novel)
      • Armando Iannucci(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Dev Patel
      • Hugh Laurie
      • Tilda Swinton
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Armando Iannucci
    • Writers
      • Simon Blackwell(screenplay by)
      • Charles Dickens(novel)
      • Armando Iannucci(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Dev Patel
      • Hugh Laurie
      • Tilda Swinton
    • See more at IMDbPro
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 318User reviews
    • 181Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 16 wins & 29 nominations total

    Videos12

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:04
    Official Trailer
    International Trailer #2
    Trailer 2:29
    International Trailer #2
    International Trailer
    Trailer 1:46
    International Trailer
    The Personal History of David Copperfield
    Trailer 2:09
    The Personal History of David Copperfield
    The Personal History of David Copperfield
    Trailer 1:46
    The Personal History of David Copperfield
    Dev Patel on the Roles That Changed His Life
    Clip 1:44
    Dev Patel on the Roles That Changed His Life
    How Dev Patel & 'The Green Knight' Change the Face of British Literary Heroes
    Clip 2:36
    How Dev Patel & 'The Green Knight' Change the Face of British Literary Heroes
    Why Dev Patel Was Always the First Choice for 'David Copperfield'
    Clip 8:55
    Why Dev Patel Was Always the First Choice for 'David Copperfield'
    The Personal History of David Copperfield
    Clip 1:27
    The Personal History of David Copperfield
    The Personal History of David Copperfield
    Clip 1:32
    The Personal History of David Copperfield
    The Trailer Trailer for the Week of Feb. 17, 2020
    Video 1:03
    The Trailer Trailer for the Week of Feb. 17, 2020
    The Trailer Trailer for the Week of Oct. 7, 2019
    Video 0:45
    The Trailer Trailer for the Week of Oct. 7, 2019

    Photos188

    Dev Patel in The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)
    Hugh Laurie, Tilda Swinton, Dev Patel, and Rosalind Eleazar in The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)
    Hugh Laurie, Tilda Swinton, and Dev Patel in The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)
    Armando Iannucci and Dev Patel in The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)
    Armando Iannucci, Tilda Swinton, and Dev Patel in The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)
    Tilda Swinton and Dev Patel in The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)
    Dev Patel and Morfydd Clark in The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)
    Hugh Laurie and Dev Patel in The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)
    Hugh Laurie and Dev Patel in The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)
    Hugh Laurie and Dev Patel in The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)
    Tilda Swinton and Dev Patel in The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)
    Dev Patel at an event for The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dev Patel
    Dev Patel
    • David Copperfieldas David Copperfield
    Hugh Laurie
    Hugh Laurie
    • Mr Dickas Mr Dick
    Tilda Swinton
    Tilda Swinton
    • Betsey Trotwoodas Betsey Trotwood
    Peter Capaldi
    Peter Capaldi
    • Mr Micawberas Mr Micawber
    Fisayo Akinade
    Fisayo Akinade
    • Markhamas Markham
    Nikki Amuka-Bird
    Nikki Amuka-Bird
    • Mrs Steerforthas Mrs Steerforth
    Albie Atkinson
    • Mealy Potatoesas Mealy Potatoes
    Aneurin Barnard
    Aneurin Barnard
    • Steerforthas Steerforth
    Tuwaine Barrett
    • Referee Boyas Referee Boy
    Nigel Betts
    Nigel Betts
    • Creditoras Creditor
    Ruby Bentall
    Ruby Bentall
    • Janetas Janet
    Darren Boyd
    Darren Boyd
    • Murdstoneas Murdstone
    Gwendoline Christie
    Gwendoline Christie
    • Jane Murdstoneas Jane Murdstone
    Morfydd Clark
    Morfydd Clark
    • Clara Copperfieldas Clara Copperfield…
    Daisy May Cooper
    Daisy May Cooper
    • Peggottyas Peggotty
    Matthew Cottle
    Matthew Cottle
    • Mr Spenlowas Mr Spenlow
    Faisal Dacosta
    Faisal Dacosta
    • Mick Walkeras Mick Walker
    Glen Davies
    • Coalmanas Coalman
    • Director
      • Armando Iannucci
    • Writers
      • Simon Blackwell(screenplay by)
      • Charles Dickens(novel)
      • Armando Iannucci(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    Dev Patel Is Changing the Face of British Literary Heroes

    Dev Patel Is Changing the Face of British Literary Heroes

    Dev Patel talks with IMDb about why he chose to take on the role of Sir Gawain in director David Lowery's The Green Knight, and how that relates to his recent part in The Personal History of David Copperfield.
    Watch now
    Image caption not available
    2:36

    Storyline

    Edit
    A fresh and distinctive take on Charles Dickens' semi-autobiographical masterpiece, The Personal History of David Copperfield, set in the 1840s, chronicles the life of its iconic title character as he navigates a chaotic world to find his elusive place within it. From his unhappy childhood to the discovery of his gift as a storyteller and writer, David's journey is by turns hilarious and tragic, but always full of life, color and humanity. —yusufpiskin
    1800skitechild labourpovertyperiod film13 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • From rags to riches... and back again
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG for thematic material and brief violence.
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Morfydd Clark plays two characters in the film - Clara Copperfield (David's mother) and Dora Spenlow - the protagonist's love.
    • Goofs
      When David is on the cart going to Yarmouth, fading jet contrails are clearly visible in the sky.
    • Quotes

      [Last Lines, to his younger self]

      David Copperfield: Don't worry. You'll make it through. And you'll have quite the ride on the way.

    • Crazy credits
      The end credits are supposed to be listed in alphabetical order, however, Paul Whitehouse is billed above Ben Whishaw whereas they should be the other way around.
    • Connections
      Featured in Mark Kermode's Secrets of Cinema: British Comedy (2021)
    • Soundtracks
      Auld Lang Syne
      Traditional

    User reviews318

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Great production
    A very dynamic film, David Copperfield lures you into his intriguing life stories. Unfortunately I haven't read the original but could still appreciate the flair and narrative of the film. This would have been a treat for those who are familiar with Dickens's work. This eventful and fluid manner of story telling nicely transitions into this film. Some decent performances by Dev Patel and the rest of the cast. It was also a pleasantly diverse film that modernised this classic novel. This may not appeal to a large mainstream audience as some cultural sensitivity is needed to see something in this film. I'm glad I went and enjoyed this modern spin on a classic tale.
    helpful•27
    22
    • Kingslaay
    • Jul 25, 2020

    FAQ1

    • How do I see this movie? Where is it available?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 28, 2020 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Instagram
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Історія Девіда Копперфілда
    • Filming locations
      • Weybourne, Norfolk, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Film 4
      • FilmNation Entertainment
      • Searchlight Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $15,600,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,876,298
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $475,800
      • Aug 30, 2020
    • Gross worldwide
      • $14,399,270
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 59min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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    Nigel Betts, Darren Boyd, Peter Capaldi, Frankie Fitzgerald, Bronagh Gallagher, Hugh Laurie, Tilda Swinton, Paul Whitehouse, Anthony Welsh, Gwendoline Christie, and Morfydd Clark in The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)
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