Product Details

• Actors: Hugh Dancy, Michael Richards, Eileen Atkins, Anthony Andrews, Frank McCusker
• Directors: Peter Medak
• Writers: Charles Dickens, John Goldsmith
• Producers: David V. Picker, Greg Smith, John Davis, Morgan O'Sullivan, Paul Lowin
• Format: PAL
• Region: Region 2 (Read more about DVD formats.)
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Arrow Films
• DVD Release Date: June 29, 2011
• Run Time: 80 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00029RDO0
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #200,773 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "David Copperfield [Region 2]" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu, SYNOPSIS: Hot on the heels of the BBC's multipart 1999 adaptation of Charles Dickens' semiautobiographical novel David Copperfield came this American-financed version, prepared for the TNT cable network as part of the Hallmark Hall of Fame. Child actor Max Dolbey and adult performer Hugh Dancy share the role of David Copperfield who, after enduring a tempestuous youth at the hands of his cruel stepfather Murdstone (Anthony Andrews), manages to survive into adulthood with the help and support of such sympathetic figures as Aunt Betsy Trotwood (Sally Field), the eternally-in-debt Mr. Micawber (Michael Richards), and loyal old Dan Peggoty (Nigel Davenport). Even so, David's later years are none too serene, thanks in great part to antagonists like the wheedling, "'umble" Uriah Heep (Frank MacCusker), and to his own star-crossed romantic misadventures. At the time of its first telecast on December 10, 2000, this two-part adaptation of David Copperfield was criticized for the "stunt" casting of former Seinfeld regular Michael Richards as Micawber, who is transformed into a Kramer-esque slapstick figure; however, one must remember that not everyone was enamored of W.C. Fields' now-classic interpretation of the same character in the 1935 film version. David Copperfield was lensed on location in Ireland. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: Emmy Awards, ...David Copperfield

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Why is this movie not available on DVD in the U.S.?, January 30, 2010

By 

Gregory N. Perkins "wide reader" (Frankfort, KY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: David Copperfield [Region 2] (DVD)

I remember seeing this once on television when it first aired, and it has disappeared(seemingly permanently) from the American DVD market. That's a shame, because aside from a couple of casting hiccups, it is very good.

At least one of the casting choices was a surprising miscue, and that is Sally Field as Betsey Trotwood. Ms. Field is a fine Oscar-caliber actress, but has an overall image that is completely wrong for her character. She does not even seem comfortable playing the very stern British lady. Additionally, Michael Richards feels completely out of place here as Wilkins Micawber. It is possible that the filmmakers behind this wanted to pay homage to W.C. Fields, another comedian who played Micawber in director George Cukor's 1935 film "David Copperfield." But, in both cases, the casting choices come off as poorly-conceived stunts. Bob Hoskins plays Micawber in yet another film of Dickens' story, released the same year as this one, and he finally does the character justice onscreen. Mr. Hoskins is a much more well-rounded actor than either Mr. Fields or Mr. Richards, and proves that versatility and sympathy are the keys to making Micawber believable. Frank MacCusker's oily, bug-eyed Uriah Heep is masterful in this, even eerie, and the most perfect incarnation of that character I've seen on film.

This is the most perfect production of "David Copperfield" I've seen, despite the complaints above. It is fuller of truly compelling Dickensian storylines than either of the other movies I've alluded to and named above. It feels like a more satisfying experience than the other movies because its characters and environments are allowed to breathe and grow more to fit Dickens' rich original novel. I'm just sorry this movie is not available for purchase here in America. Hopefully, we'll get it someday.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Dickens, September 26, 2007

By 

Ginger Hunter "kris krass" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: David Copperfield [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - United Kingdom ] (DVD)

I have been using the VCR format of this version of Copperfield in my classroom since 2000. It is one of the few classics films that engage the kids, and they "get it," mainly because the actors selected for the parts bring to life precisely what Dickens expected from his characters. Uriah Heap is just as nasty as envisioned when reading the novel, and Sally Field is superb. My students go down the halls yelling "donkey" for days after watching the movie.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strange ending, great movie, April 26, 2008

By 

anonymous - See all my reviews

This review is from: David Copperfield [Region 2] (DVD)

The ending was not exactly in harmony with the book. Okay it was kinda far off, but it was a really great movie. Except for the ending it stuck really faithfully to the book, for a movie. My entire family loves it. Even my father who hates to rewatch movies he can remember having seen before, will sit and watch the whole thing when we play it in the VCR. I started reading Dickens because of this movie and now he's one of my favorites.

The actors are believable in the role, endearing. The movie draws you in from the start.