David Copperfield (2000 film)

David Copperfield
Based on	David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
Written by	John Goldsmith
Directed by	Peter Medak
Starring	Hugh Dancy Sally Field Michael Richards Eileen Atkins Anthony Andrews
Music by	Shaun Davey
Country of origin	United States Ireland
Original language	English
Production
Producers	John Davis Greg Smith
Cinematography	Elemér Ragályi
Editor	Ron Davis
Running time	180 minutes (3 60 min episodes)
Original release
Network	TNT
Release	10 December (2000-12-10) – 11 December 2000 (2000-12-11)

David Copperfield is a 2000 American-Irish made-for-television film adaptation of Charles Dickens's 1850 novel of the same name.^[1] It was filmed in Ireland, and broadcast on TNT as a Hallmark Entertainment production on 10–11 December 2000.^{[citation needed]}

Plot

The film centres on the journey of David Copperfield, from experiencing an impoverished and miserable childhood to becoming a successful and famous author.

Cast

• Hugh Dancy as David Copperfield
• Max Dolbey as young David Copperfield
• Sally Field as Betsey Trotwood
• Michael Richards as Wilkins Micawber
• Paul Bettany as James Steerforth
• Eileen Atkins as Jane Murdstone
• Anthony Andrews as Edward Murdstone
• Frank McCusker as Uriah Heep
• Emily Hamilton as Agnes Wickfield
• Edward Hardwicke as Mr. Wickfield
• Julie Cox as Dora Spenlow
• Oliver Ford Davies as Mr. Jorkins
• Nigel Davenport as Dan Peggotty
• Judy Cornwell as Clara Peggotty
• Freddie Jones as Barkis
• Sarah Farooqui as adult Emily
• Anna Maguire as Little Emily
• Dudley Sutton as Mr. Dick
• Sarah Smart as Clara Copperfield
• Simon Delaney as Thomas Traddles
• Peter Woodthorpe as Mr. Creakle
• Terrence Orr as Tungay

Production

Writing

The plot follows relatively closely to that of the book, although the film highly condenses Steerforth's liaison with Emily and the Peggotty family to primarily off-screen action, as in the 1935 version, and omitting the famous "tempest" scene. An extra plotline placing emphasis on the Murdstone siblings is also included, so that David is tormented by their appearance throughout his life, and eventually violently confronts them near the ending, a scene not present in the book. Some scenes are simplified as well; for instance, Uriah Heep's cunning and complex embezzlement scheme from the book is changed to a very simple plotline involving stolen diamonds. However, this film stresses the relationship between David, Agnes, and Uriah much more than in previous adaptations.

Reception

Critical reception

The film is generally well received by viewers and critics alike, although some viewers dislike the straying from the book's plot material, and some critics feel Hugh Dancy gave a weak performance in the title role. Most criticism stems from the choice of American actors Sally Field and Michael Richards, portraying the classic roles of Betsey Trotwood and Wilkins Micawber, though Field was a last-minute replacement for Angela Lansbury.

References

1. Jeff Bogle (7 August 2023). "40 of the All-Time Greatest Book-to-Movie Adaptions". Reader's Digest. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

External links

• David Copperfield at IMDb