David Copperfield

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Joel H I've never read David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, but I wanted to be more familiar with the classic novel. Therefore, I decided to give this film a shot. The standout performance here is Freddie Bartholomew. That kid carries this movie on his shoulders during his time on the screen. His acting is authentic, and you really feel for him as a character. Once another actor takes his place, the story kind of slumps a little. It's a slower film, as well, even though they cut out a bunch of stuff from the book. I think it was good for me to watch David Copperfield, and I may even read it someday. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/03/23 Full Review william d Decent enough version of the classic story. Edna May Oliver is excellent as Betsy Trotwood. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Frances H Packed with some of the greatest of British and American character actors, this the best film version of the Dickens classic! Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/06/22 Full Review Audience Member This version of David COPPERFIELD is quite a good one, in that it does trim the 800 plus page novel down to reasonable coherence. There are some characters that one misses, but they are understandably cut due to length considerations. While Steerforth and his betrayal of the Peggoty Family is in the film (including the dual tragedy at it's conclusion), the sub-story of Little Em'ly's friend Martha and the business regarding Steerforth's mother, Rosa Dartle, and Mrs. Mowcher were dumped (Mrs. Mowcher would have been hard to cast). Pity, Mrs. Mowcher's famous speech to David about not confusing her physical attributes with her mental ones is missing. Also Steerforth's butler Littimer appears once, but the film does not get into the ironic coda of his imprisonment. While Uriah Heep's villainy against Mr. Wickfield and his clients is shown, his willingness to dig up dirt against other "enemies" is not shown. In particular his treatment of Dr. Strong (David's second schoolmaster), his young wife, and Jack Dalton is not developed (which is sad as it proves Mr. Dick is not simple minded). But those are minor points really. The best jobs in the film are the work of the performers under George Cukor's direction: Edna Mae Oliver as the crusty, wise Aunt Betsy; Roland Young as the evil, greasy Uriah Heep (his best villain part); and W.C.Fields as Wilkins McCawber (Dicken's tribute to his lovable but improvident father) is superb - the one time his comic personae met the proper dramatic role; and Lionel Barrymore as Dan Pegotty determined to find his lost, ruined niece. Freddy Bartholemew's performance as young David is wonderful. But I must admit that Frank Lawson is a trifle colorless as the grown up David (although he has a funny moment at a dinner that Dora (Maureen O'Sullivan) tries to prepare). It is a weakness but a small weakness in a nearly perfect film. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review joe m An enjoyable film, "David Copperfield" is filled with colorful characters and set pieces that make one want more - more since even at over 2 hours the film is just too short to do justice to Dickens' literary masterpiece. All the scenes are much too truncated and cursory. "David Copperfield" is simply one of those books that is much better served by TV and being done as a mini-series or such. Yet, it still holds up to the test of time and especially to see some of England and Hollywoods greats - Elsa Lancaster, Lionel Barrymore and WC Fields - if even in brief appearances. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member The well-developed and interesting characters honestly make the film. The plot itself is a bit predictable and boring. Sometimes the film moves way too fast at some points and too slow at others. The film moves pretty quickly tho for the most part luckily and the acting is pretty good. I like the cinematography as well and the script. The second half of the film not as good as first, but I really like the lead hero type that Copperfield turns into. I'm glad we don't have child labor anymore, thanks in partly to Dickens story the film is based off. A classic that makes you want to read the book. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Read all reviews

David Copperfield

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