The Personal History of David Copperfield

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The Personal History of David Copperfield

PG

2020

1h 59m

Comedy

Drama

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92%

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249 Reviews

55%

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500+ Ratings

The life of David Copperfield is chronicled from his youth into adulthood.

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Critics Consensus

The Personal History of David Copperfield puts a fresh, funny, and utterly charming spin on Dickens' classic, proving some stories truly are timeless.

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James Parker

The Atlantic

Feb 5, 2021

[A] mad, loving, and brilliantly cinematic extrapolation of the novel...

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Shubhra Gupta

The Indian Express

Dec 16, 2020

3.5/5

It is Dev Patel who carries this ensemble with great flair, looking every inch the boy who has fallen upon hard times and longs to be recognised as the gentleman he is.

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Jake Coyle

Associated Press

Oct 30, 2020

2.5/4

An exuberantly optimistic film celebrating the life force of art and eccentricity. Who couldn't use a little of that right now.

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Emma Simmonds

Radio Times

Aug 30, 2024

5/5

Iannucci's work is often steeped in cynicism but here his affection for the material is overwhelmingly evident; by adapting a beloved author, the director has finally found his heart.

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Calum Cooper

Source (Scotland)

Jul 14, 2024

4/5

If In the Loop and The Death of Stalin showcased humanity at its most selfish or incompetent, then The Personal History of David Copperfield depicts humanity at its most empathetic and merry.

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Serena Seghedoni

Loud and Clear Reviews

Oct 29, 2023

3.5/5

The Personal History of David Copperfield is a wonderfully absurd adaptation of Dickens' classic tale that sometimes fails to hit the mark but still does the novel justice.

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Pauline M

@RT14982665 Jul 20, 2025

Lively, colourful, touching, beautiful & full of the language of Dickens

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Harold T

@RT06924383 May 25, 2025

🇬🇧 Review in English "The Personal History of David Copperfield": in one word, boring. Despite a promising cast and colorful visuals, the film lacks pacing and emotional depth. The storytelling feels fragmented and rushed, making it hard to connect with the plot or characters. A missed opportunity for such a rich classic. 🇮🇹 Recensione in italiano "La vita straordinaria di David Copperfield": in una parola, noioso. Nonostante il cast promettente e l’estetica vivace, il film manca di ritmo e profondità emotiva. La narrazione appare frammentata e affrettata, rendendo difficile appassionarsi alla storia o ai personaggi. Un’occasione sprecata per un classico così ricco.

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Kaz M

@RT31355419 Mar 8, 2025

A lovely, fun retelling of Dickens story- well acted, great scenery: just a pleasant entertaining movie where good triumphs and the bad guys get theirs.

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Rosana B

@RosanaBotafogo Mar 3, 2025

Linda representação do fantástico mundo de Copperfield, se difere um pouco da obra original, mas a essência permanece, uma vez que o livro é quase uma autobiografia, como o Sr. Micawber preso por dívidas como seu pai, e ele menino trabalhando na fábrica... O filme é longo e se torna um pouco cansativo, como viajar para um lugar distante e chegamos descadeirados, mas a caracterização, figurinos, belíssimos, cheio de cores, as falas cheia de poesia, encanta e diverte...

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Glen D

@RT08463206 Dec 21, 2024

A joy to watch from beginning to end. I am sure Dickens would be delighted with this adaptation.

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Kyle M

@RufusMorgan Nov 28, 2024

A perfect movie. It is hilarious! Dramatic! Enjoyable. An absolute treat from beginning to end.

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Armando Iannucci

Director

Dev Patel

David Copperfield

Tilda Swinton

Betsey Trotwood

Hugh Laurie

Mr. Dick

Peter Capaldi

Mr. Micawber

Ben Whishaw

Uriah Heep

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The Personal History of David Copperfield: Featurette - A Cast of Characters

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The Personal History of David Copperfield: Featurette - First Look

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The Personal History of David Copperfield: Trailer 1

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The Personal History of David Copperfield: International Trailer 1

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Synopsis

The life of David Copperfield is chronicled from his youth into adulthood.

Director: Armando Iannucci
Producer: Armando Iannucci, Kevin Loader
Screenwriter: Armando Iannucci, Simon Blackwell
Distributor: Searchlight Pictures
Production Co: Film 4, Wishmore, FilmNation Entertainment
Rating: PG (Thematic Material|Brief Violence)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 28, 2020, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 17, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.9M
Runtime: 1h 59m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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