Customer Reviews

Martin Chuzzlewit

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There has recently been a rebirth of Dickens mini-series and I believe that this is one of the best. For some reason, Dickens is best known for his depressing stuff (a Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations) but Martin Chuzzlewit is a robust melodrama and it translates very well to the screen.

There are actually two Martins in this movie, Martin senior, the wealthy old man who is suspicious of everyone, and his grandson and namesake who Martin Sr. has disinherited. With the heir apparent out of the way, Martin Sr.'s money grubbing relations move in to try to get themselves a piece of the pie when the old man dies. The sneakiest and most odious of the lot is the hypocrytical Mr. Pecksniff. (Look closely, do you recognize the Dashwood sister's father from Sense and Sensibility?) He has a slimy scheme for getting at Martin Sr.'s money and plans to use Martin jr. for it.

That, in a nutshell is the plot for the first hour of the movie. Other subplots involve more of Mrtin Sr.'s relatives, the evil Jonas, the subliterate Chevy Slyme and his smooth tongued friend Tigg Montague and of course Pecksniff's daughters Mercy and Charity.

All I can say is that I admire the screenwriter's skill in bringing the bulky Dickens tome down to size. Don't get me wrong, I loved the book but I can see it would be difficult to make even a 5 hour mini-series out of it. They eliminate a few minor subplots and almsot all of the American adventure. (This is just as well, Dickens had visited America, hated it, and ranted about the fact through the mouths of his characters for several long passages in the book, very amusing but not the stuff TV drama is made of)

Anyone who has seen the original illustartions for the book will be delighted by the movie since the casting, costuming and hair styling is such that the actors look as if they have stepped out of the book. (Tom Pinch and Pecksniff are especially close)

A great deal of fun though it takes some time to get into it. My only complaint is that on the box there is a picture that gives away a key plot twist! This was very sloppy and ruined some of the movie for me. My advice, don't look at the box too closely before you pop the tape in if you still want some suprises.

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It's a shame that not enough people seem to know about "Martin Chuzzlewit," based on Charles Dickens' novel.

The story centers on wealthy, old Martin Chuzzlewit (Paul Scofield). His many relatives believe that he is at death's door, so they swarm about him like a bees angling to get a piece of his fortune. He is estranged from his namesake and grandson, young Martin, and is accompanied about town by his young companion, Mary Graham. Chief among his many relatives is the hypocritical and fastidious Mr. Pecksniff (wonderfully portrayed by the versatile Tom Wilkinson - "Full Monty," "In the Bedroom") and his daughters Charity (Emma Chambers) and Mercy (Julia Sawalha - "AbFab" and "Pride and Prejudice"). He invites young Chuzzlewit into his home only to banish him without explanation weeks later. Young Martin has to fend for himself and leaves for America with his faithful helper Mark Tapley in search of fortune.

The cast is sold and strong - the round of colorful relatives and acquantances including the conniving and greedy Jonas Chuzzlewit, his father (and old Martin's twin) Anthony Chuzzlewit, the humble and sweet Tom Pinch, and the scoundrel Montague Tigg (Pete Postlethwaite). The story has everything you would expect from a Dickens novel - romance, tragedy, satire, good deeds rewarded and the bad guys getting their just desserts. The high production values are what you would expect from the BBC.

I highly recommend this film to anyone who enjoys Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, George Eliot or excellent British drama. If you enjoyed "Our Mutual Friend" or "Middlemarch," check this one out. You won't be disappointed.

Truly, one of the best I have ever seen and yes, do like to watch over and over again...

I had a "Dickens" of a time in the mid 90's trying to find this video a while after it was first presented on PBS, but at the then discounted price of $60, it was very well worth it!

It's an enthralling tale you become one with...you feel as though you are an observer on the sidelines trying to keep score as this thoroughly amusing bunch of people go from scene to scene, fleshing out Dickens' tale that portrays many of the worst and also the good and decent qualities of human behavior. The actors are THAT believable and so right in their respective roles!

I find though that I have to listen carefully in a few parts of this story, as the words said in the thick English slangy accent from a few of the characters can pass me by.

Altogether this is a truly superb show that unlike so much else out there, I will never tire of seeing again and again!

What can truly be said of this magnificent adaptation of MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT is that the incredible ensemble of fine veteran actors makes this Dickens classic leap from the page.Elizabeth Spriggs as Mrs.Gamp and Emma Chambers as Charity Pecksniff particularly made me laugh with glee as well as caused such a deep sense of respect for these wonderful ladies of the theatre.The entire cast is absolutely over the top in all ways.Truly one of the most enjoyable adaptations of anything brought to the screen.You must pay careful attention to the low English slang used by some of the characters.It can be a bit dodgey for these American ears.BUY THIS.THIS IS A KEEPER.

I didn't understand or like Dickens' story-telling until I watched this film. Something clicked as to how he (Dickens) protrays the morals in his characters and his style of writing.

The Elder Martin Chuzzlewit at first seems like a dumb, cranky old man who complains much. He treats his grandson (Martin) cruelly when younger Martin falls in love with his charge, Mary. To earn a living, so that he can marry Mary, younger Martin sets out to find his fortune in America--where it turns into a disaster and he nearly dies!

During the tale of the story we also meet Tom Pinch (who is one of my favorite characters), his sister (Ruth--another favorite), the arrogant Mr. Pecksniff and his two daughters ("Cherry" and "Merry"), the evil Jonas, and the kind-hearted old man (Mr. Chuffey), to name a few.

This is just the cream of the story, and doesn't do any justice in telling you of the example of nobility, honor, and righteous character Dickens' protrays in this story. I could watch this the film over and over and not tire of it. The surprise ending is the best part. I always have to watch it several times before ending the movie. =) You will not be disappointed with this film.

This is one of the best Dickens' film adaptations, a fact I attribute to the fact that this book, more than Dickens' many other books, relies on dialogue to establish character - as opposed to the pantomime that characterises his more common caricatures. Seth Pecksniff and Sariah Gamp, in particular, the two 'stars' of the book, are known by their splendid self-serving speeches. And the actors in this adaptation do a marvelous job rendering these soliloquies.

The other actors, though not as loquacious, do an equally sterling job bringing Dickens' characters to life. Jonas Chuzzlewit, the old Martin Chuzzlewit, and Tigg Montague (and Montague Tigg) were especially well acted.

The weaknesses of the film are mainly two: one, the detour to the U-nited States was greatly truncated in this film; as a result, one of the funniest characters in the book, jolly Mark Tapley, never really gets to shine in the movie - he was 'cheated' again of his chance to 'come out strong', you might say; the other weakness is the length of the film: it's too short; more Pecksniff and especially more Sariah Gamp (and her friend, Mrs Harris) would have added to the delight of the film.

But as it is, it's a pretty good adaptation that successfully captures the spirit and humor of the book. If you've seen some of other Dickens' adaptations, you'll know that this is saying alot.

In his commemorative book for the 1st 20 years of Masterpiece Theatre, Alistair Cooke commented that those who name "Great Expectaions" or "Tale of Two Cities" as their favorite Dickens novel are showing by their choice that they don't really care for Dickens. Often these more conventional, less eccentric novels are the ones most dramatized, and the public doesn't really get to know the crazy, dark, labrynthian world Dickens was capable of creating in his "big novels"--like "Old Curiosity Shop", "Little Dorrit", "Dombey & Son", "Our Mutual Friend", and "Martin Chuzzlewit". It takes patience to read them, and great patience to render them faithfully on screen. I think that this performance does a remarkably good job of bringing the novel to life.

I had read the book beforehand, so had an idea of how the dramatization SHOULD be done, and was surprised and pleased to see it succeed so well in many ways.

Pete Postlethwaite as Tigg Montague was (in my opinion) TRUE Dickens--eccentric in looks, manner, speech and not softened or blunted in any way. He conveyed the brash pungency of the character, as if an illustration by "Phiz" had come to life. Jonas Chuzzlewit is subtly depicted by Keith Allen.

**SPOILER FOLLOWS**

Oddly, this story reaches its excellent heights in death scenes. I think that's true in both novel and dramatizaton. The death of Anthony Chuzzlewit, a pivotal point in the novel, is almost frightening. And Jonas' suicide, short and sharp.

What characterizes Dickens is the interspersion of sharp, comic elements against dark social commentary. Sairy Gamp is wonderful, with her stuffed-up monologuing. I also liked Mary Graham, who was portrayed by Pauline Turner, not as an overtly beautiful girl, but as one with great sweetnes and warmth. One can easily understand people loving her, as everyone in the novel seems to do.

My ideal of Dickens dramatization was the long-ago Trevor Nunn production of Nicholas Nickleby, which starred Roger Rees. I always find it helpful in a review to know what the reviewer considers good, so this is my standard.

In any case, I'd highly recommend that you see this drama, if you appreciate what I'd call the "bite of Dickens".

This movie, which I first saw on Masterpiece Theatre, is well deserving of its spot on that PBS showcase. Paul Scofield is superb as the irascible Martin Chuzzlewit, and everyone else simply shines. Jonas is smarmily despicable, and Pecksniff is beautifully portrayed as the snivelling, money-grubbing worm that he is. Dickens would have been proud!

Prior to obtaining this DVD, I was not familiar with Dickens' "Martin Chuzzlewit". Therefore, I will not attempt to compare the film to the book. The comparison thing along with a plot synopsis has been done previously, on this board, and it has been done very well. After viewing this BBC presentation I concur with the previous glowing reviews. This production of "Martin Chuzzlewit" is outstanding in every way. Most of all the acting, by all involved, is stupendous.
Tom Wilkinson (of "Full Monty", "Wilde" and many more films), as the extremely pompadoured and very hypocritical Seth Pecksniff is unbelievably good. I've seen Wilkinson in many films each time his performances are wonderful. His Seth Pecksniff is no exception-he is fantastic, as an outwardly solicitous man, but in reality, a very greasy opportunist-fantastic! Keith Allen, as the extremely dastardly Jonas Chuzzlewit is also great playing one of Dickens' "darkest" villains with relish. Paul Scofield, as the elder Martin Chuzzlewit is magnificent as a seemingly dotty old man; however in reality, he is a "see all and know all" wise old man. I've named just a very few of the great actors in this presentation. There are many many more.
As in many of Dickens' books there are many characters involved in many" plot twists" , unsavory happenings, reversal of fortunes, etc. This BBC presentation has done a superb job of dramatizing and of bring this story to the screen. The era being depicted is presented very well with the costumes, carriages, props, hairstyles, etc., seeming, to me, to be "spot on".
If you love a good Dickens' story and love good acting buy this DVD.

While the sets, costuming and lighting were indeed gorgeous, the director dwelt almost entirely on Paul Scofield's witheringly biting delivery and on the comicality of different Dicken's characters. One is left without a soul with which to engage, and the story line suffers quite a bit, indeed. Style won over warmth, and halfway through this beautiful and lavish production, it's lack of real heart simply drove me away. I tried and tried, but just couldn't slog my way through. The book, however, I've read and throroughy enjoyed at least twice!