David Copperfield

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ChrisCSH H Dec 5 Beautiful film of the adaptation from Charles Dickens, the film is beautifully made with fantastic character development and magnificent attention to detail. the acting from the entire cast is extraordinary especially the child actor playing Young David Copperfield, Freddie Bartholomew. The film does feel like it starts to drag a little towards the end, but the captivating story is able to keep the viewer enthralled till the end. See more Joel H 11/03/2023 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. See more william d @acsdoug 06/22/2022 Decent enough version of the classic story. Edna May Oliver is excellent as Betsy Trotwood. See more Frances H 03/06/2022 Packed with some of the greatest of British and American character actors, this the best film version of the Dickens classic! See more 12/17/2021 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. See more 01/31/2019 The best movie ever made! See more Read all reviews

David Copperfield

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