A gentle orphan discovers life and love in an indifferent adult world.A gentle orphan discovers life and love in an indifferent adult world.A gentle orphan discovers life and love in an indifferent adult world.
- Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
- 1 win & 4 nominations total
Featured reviews
Dickens' great strength as an author was characterization, and Director Simon Curtis transforms this strength onto the screen. Even the most minor supporting characters are portrayed well.
In the major roles, Daniel Radcliffe as the young David is outstanding. (Of course, he has gone on to star as Harry Potter.)
Bob Hoskins is excellent as Micawber, Amanda Ryan portrays Agnes Wickfield beautifully, and Ian McNeice as Mr. Dick and Nicholas Lyndhurst as Uriah Heep are perfect.
For me, however, the true star of the movie is Dame Maggie Smith as Aunt Betsy Trotwood. Dame Maggie was born to play this role, and every frame in which she appears is a pleasure to watch.
This movie presents Dickens in the way Dickens was meant to be seen on the screen. Bravo!
And of course the acting is exceptional. I was compelled to write a separate paragraph as there are so many performances I wish to acknowledge. Daniel Radcliffe is simply adorable as young David, and acts being vulnerable very convincingly. I don't know about anybody else but I think this is the best I've seen Daniel act. Maggie Smith was simply born for the role of Aunt Betsy Trotwood, and Trevor Eve is a chilling and vile Mr Murdstone. I also loved Bob Hoskins as the debt ridden but kindly Micawber, Zoe Wannamaker as Jane Murdstone, Pauline Quirke as maternal Pegotty and Amanda Ryan as the alluring Agnes Wickfield. Also worth of mention are Allun Armstrong as Daniel Pegotty, Ian McKellen as the sinister Creakle(a character I found disappointingly forgettable in the 2000 version) and especially Nicolas Lyndhurst as the snake-like and odious Uriah Heep.
Overall, I loved this 1999 adaptation for especially the acting. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Bob Hoskins as one of Dickens's most loved characters, Wilkins Micawber, was just about perfect. Likewise Dame Maggie Smith as Betsey Trotwood. And who could have portrayed Uriah Heep (with obvious relish) more cringingly 'umble than Nicholas Lyndhurst? (Years of practise as the under sibling in "Only Fools & Horses" paying off at last no doubt.) It was a lovely evil performance by him, and delightfully (I suspect deliberately) just a smidgen over the top.
Apart from the above, who was the most outstanding in the impressive cast? Answer...no-one. They all were. Every individual contribution was magnificent.
It is difficult to fault this two-part production of "David Copperfield" in any way. Acting, interpretation, sets, casting, music, cinematography, script, pace and direction. All were equally superb, and I think it will be a long time before it is even remotely bettered by any future one.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDaniel Radcliffe's first filmed project. In his first role, he co-starred with six of his future co-stars of the Harry Potter film franchise: Dame Maggie Smith (Minerva McGonagall), Zoë Wanamaker (Madame Hooch), Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge), Dawn French (The Fat Lady in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)) and Paul Whitehouse (Sir Cadogan in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (scenes deleted)).
- GoofsThe younger Davy is right-handed; the elder Davy is left-handed.
- Quotes
Murdstone: This boy, you should know, Miss Trotwood, has a sullen, rebellious spirit, a violent temper and an intractable disposition.
Miss Murdstone: Of all the boys in the world, this is the worst boy.
Betsey Trotwood: Strong, Miss Murdstone.
Miss Murdstone: But not at all too strong for the situation.
Betsey Trotwood: Indeed? Well, sir?
Murdstone: I placed this boy in a respectable business. He ran away from it. The facts, I propose, speak for themselves.
Betsey Trotwood: About this respectable business, a blacking factory, I believe. If he had been your own boy, you would have put him to it just the same, I suppose.
Murdstone: I had my own opinion. This is the best way of bringing up this particular boy. I act on them and I say no more about them.
Betsey Trotwood: I see. What else do you have to say?
Murdstone: Merely this: I have come to take my stepson back. I will deal with him as I think right and dispose of him as I think proper. If you seek to impede me in any way, if you step between us now, you do so forever.
Betsey Trotwood: What does the boy say? Are you ready to go, David?
Young David Copperfield: Please don't make me leave you, Aunt. They made my Mama very unhappy and they never cared for me. I want to stay here with you and Mr. Dick.
Betsey Trotwood: Mr. Dick, what shall I do with this child?
Mr. Dick: I'd have him measured for a suit of clothes directly.
Betsey Trotwood: Mr. Dick, give me your hand.
[She shakes his hand]
Betsey Trotwood: For your common sense is invaluable.
[Takes David in her arms]
Betsey Trotwood: I'll take my chance with the boy. If he is all you say he is, I can at least do as much for him as you have done. But I don't believe a word of it!
Murdstone: [Standing up angrily] Miss Trotwood, if you were a gentleman...
Betsey Trotwood: BAH! Stuff and nonsense! Don't talk to me!
Miss Murdstone: How exquisitely polite. Overpowering, really.
Betsey Trotwood: [to Murdstone, ignoring Jane] You think I don't know what kind of life you've led this child's mother? It was a woeful day when you first appeared, smirking, making great eyes at her, so you wouldn't say "Boo!" to a ghost!
Miss Murdstone: I've never heard anything to elegant.
Betsey Trotwood: [Still ignoring Jane] And when you'd made quite sure of the poor little thing, you began to train her and break her. Like a caged bird, wearing her life away and teaching her to sing your notes.
Miss Murdstone: 'Tis either insanity or intoxication.
Betsey Trotwood: [Still ignoring Jane] You broke her heart, then punished the boy, because of your own guilt! There's the truth for your comfort, and you and your instrument may make the most of it!
Miss Murdstone: May I inquire whom you are referring to as an instrument?
Betsey Trotwood: Good day, sir! And Goodbye!
[Murdstone leaves without a word]
- ConnectionsFeatured in Masterpiece: David Copperfield: Part 2 (2000)
- SoundtracksNewcastle
Traditional
From John Playford's 'The English Dancing Master', First Edition (1651)
- How many seasons does David Copperfield have?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Also known as
- 塊肉餘生記
- Filming locations
- Houghton Lodge, Stockbridge, Hampshire, England, UK(Betsey Trotwood's house, Dover)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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