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Bleak House on DVD (2005)

Bleak House cover art
Average rating: (82%)
111114413520
4.0
 
Starring: Gillian Anderson | Charles Dance | Charlie Brooks | Liza Tarbuck | Johnny Vegas
Director: Justin Chadwick | Susanna White
Studio: 2 ENTERTAIN VIDEO
Run time: 465 mins
Certificate: PG
User collections: Best Dramas
Genres: Drama
Languages: English, English Audio Description
Hearing-impaired: English
Released: 20/02/2006
Also Available on:  Also Available on: BLU-RAY  Also Available on: HD-DVD

Brief synopsis of Bleak House

Acclaimed writer Andrew Davies turns his talents to one of Charles Dickens' most brilliant novels - arguably the greatest ever depiction of Victorian London. Fresh and imaginative, yet faithful to the original, this thrilling fast-paced adaptation is shot with a contemporary edge. At its heart is the story of the icily beautiful Lady Dedlock, who nurses a dark secret, and the merciless lawyer Tulkinghorn, who seeks to uncover it. The generous John Jarndyce, struggling with his own past, and his two young wards Richard and Ada, are all caught up, like Lady Dedlock, in the infamous case of Jarndyce vs. Jarndyce, which will make one of them rich beyond imagination if it can ever be brought to a conclusion. As Tulkinghorn digs deeper into Lady Dedlock's past, he unearths a secret that will change their lives forever, and which is almost as astounding as the final outcome of the Jarndyce case.

All DVDs in this series

Bleak House - Disc 1
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Bleak House - Disc 2
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Bleak House - Disc 3
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Rated - 4 starsBBC at its best

Peter Carr from Folkestone Kent , 17/02/2006

This was a brave venture by BBC to serialise Bleak House much as Dickens wrote it i.e. in episodes.The transfer to tv written by Andrew Davies(also did the much acclaimed Pride and Prejudice)is excellent and completely faithful to the text.The cast reads like a whos who of the british theatrical establishment and all of the performances are exellent.Watch out for some great unexpected cameos e.g.Johnny Vegas as the sly drunkard landlord.

The plot of Bleak House is one of Dickens most complex revolving around the drawn out court case between Jarndyce v Jarndyce alongside numerous sub plots.Despite this the storyline is very gripping and draws you in like a modern thriller.

My only gripe about the production is the camera work which is often jerky or handheld and can be a bit distracting.Nevertheless after being rationed to 1/2 hour episodes its good to have the whole series pulled together on dvd.

If you missed it on tele rent it now.It will not disapoint even if you dont think you are a Dickens fan.

  26 out of 32 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsCouldn't stop watching

Wendy from Middlesex , 02/06/2006

This series has the story by Charles Dickens and the history of the period rolled into one. I found it compulsive viewing. Having watched the hour long first episode I wanted to watch the rest. I was irritated by the fact that these are programmes put straight onto DVD so each has the credits at the beginning and the end of each episode and that each episode is only half and hour in length, but in its entirity this didn't spoil my enjoyment of the series. There is a good, well known cast, each plays their role well and makes the story come to life. It made me very grateful that we do not live in those times anymore.

  11 out of 11 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsA Real Classic Drama

A customer from Banbury, England , 25/01/2007

This is a BBC drama production at its very best. I have been inclined to dismiss most of the traditional classics but the acting and camera work in this production puts a lot of box office releases into the shade. I am happy to pay my license fee if this is what the BBC produce! Recommended for good alround entertainment.

  6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsBleak House

A customer from England , 19/01/2007

This whole series was excellent and compulsive viewing. The cast was magnificent and I can thoroughly recommend this.

  3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
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