Tuesday, August 28, 2007

DICKENS OF LONDON-TV DVD REVIEW


A Short Blurb from Koch Vision about “Dickens in London”-While on tour in America, Charles Dickens (Roy Dotrice) recalls the moments that shaped his life. From his penniless childhood in Chatham and London during the 1820’s to the unprecedented success he later enjoyed on both sides of the Atlantic, he traces his extraordinary experiences, which influenced many of his greatest works.

One of the all time favorite writers in English literary history was Charles Dickens. This series is the story that takes Dickens to 1867 America where he had a one man show reading his best stories. He is ailing and about at the end of his life. He dies in 1869. The series consists of flashbacks to his childhood and to his father both played by Roy Dotrice. The miniseries had a few up in coming notable actors such as John Nettles (Midsomer Murders), Ben Kingsley (Gandhi) and Roy Marsden (Sandbaggers). The set has all 13 episodes from the series. Most notably in the set is an Audience with Charles Dickens at the Ambassadors Theatre in London with the audience dressed up in period clothing with Simon Callow as Charles Dickens. He also played the same character recently in the new series of Doctor Who in the episode “The Unquiet Dead”.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The series was done on videotape but there were no dropouts of picture at all. Each episode runs approx 48 mins.


Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1- 1. “Mask”
2. “The Deed”
3. “Blacking”
4. “Love” with Karen Dotrice and Derek Francis

Disc 2- 1. “Success” with John Nettles
2. “Fame” with John Ringham
3. “Money”

Disc 3- 1. “Possession” with Jack May
2. “Dreams” with Ben Kingsley
3. “Magic” with Ralph Michael

Disc 4-1. “Nightmare”
2. “Angel” with Roy Marsden and Milton Johns
3. “Memories” with Connie Booth

Disc 5- Bonus Disc-“An Audience with Charles Dickens” with Simon Callow
(60 Mins)


Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

Disc 5: None

Verdict

A well played miniseries. Great cast and nice extra with Simon Callow as Charles Dickens. Take a look at it!


Rating; ****!

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