"Martin Chuzzlewit" (1994) TV mini-series

User Rating:

8.3/10   

Director:

Pedr James

Writers:

Charles Dickens (novel)
David Lodge (writer)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

26 March 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Victorian Era | Dickens | TV Mini-Series | Inheritance | Blackmail

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Emma Chambers	...	Charity Pecksniff (6 episodes, 1994)
Philip Franks	...	Tom Pinch (6 episodes, 1994)
Julia Sawalha	...	Mercy Pecksniff (6 episodes, 1994)
Paul Scofield	...	Anthony Chuzzlewit / ... (6 episodes, 1994)
Pauline Turner	...	Mary Graham (6 episodes, 1994)
Keith Allen	...	Jonas Chuzzlewit (5 episodes, 1994)
Paul Bailey	...	Benjamin Bailey (5 episodes, 1994)
Lynda Bellingham	...	Mrs. Lupin (5 episodes, 1994)
Pete Postlethwaite	...	Montague Tigg (5 episodes, 1994)
Maggie Steed	...	Mrs. Todgers (5 episodes, 1994)
Tom Wilkinson	...	Seth Pecksniff (5 episodes, 1994)
Stephen Mapes	...	Lewsome (4 episodes, 1994)
John Mills	...	Mr. Chuffey (4 episodes, 1994)
Steve Nicolson	...	Mark Tapley (4 episodes, 1994)
Elizabeth Spriggs	...	Mrs. Gamp (4 episodes, 1994)
Ben Walden	...	Young Martin Chuzzlewit (4 episodes, 1994)
Peter Wingfield	...	John Westlock (4 episodes, 1994)
John Padden	...	Augustus Moddle (3 episodes, 1994)
Graham Stark	...	Nadgett (3 episodes, 1994)
Hannah Tollman	...	Maidservant at Pecksniff's / ... (3 episodes, 1994)
Peter-Hugo Daly	...	Chevy Slyme (2 episodes, 1994)
Julian Fellowes	...	Dr. Jobling (2 episodes, 1994)
Robin Hooper	...	Mr. Jinkins (2 episodes, 1994)
Sam Kelly	...	Mr. Mould (2 episodes, 1994)
Cornelia Hayes O'Herlihy	...	Ruth Pinch (2 episodes, 1994)
Joan Sims	...	Betsy Prig (2 episodes, 1994)

Runtime:

UK:385 min (1 x 85 min, 5 x 60 min episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Fleece Inn, Bretforton, Worcestershire, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Unforgettable Joan Sims (2002) (TV)

If you are indecisive, just give it a try!

Although this BBC production of "Martin Chuzzlewit" from 1994 is not widely known, it is definitely a very good one. The characters are true to Dickens' novel, some of them being rather multi-layered, such as the bitter and twisted Jonas Chuzzlewit, very well portrayed by Keith Allen, or the desperate young Martin Chuzzlewit (Ben Walden), who from his very first scene casts a spell with his eyes and voice.

For those BBC drama collectors who consider buying the video: This is not as light as the fine Jane Austen film versions, but rather dark and gloomy. In my view this contributes to the film's attraction, and I can recommend "Martin Chuzzlewit" without hesitation.

A piece of advice concerning the videotape: Watch it as soon as you purchased it because there are some tapes on which visual noise appears every now and then. You might perhaps have to exchange it.