Charles Dickens
One of the most popular writers of the 19th Century, Charles Dickens was a major celebrity in his own lifetime. He published many of his novels in serial form and wanted his writing to reflect and be accessible to all classes. Readers would eagerly anticipate the next instalment in the lives of young Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Little Dorritt and the scores of other lively characters inhabiting his stories. Many of his works have been translated to the big screen and gathered below is Alice's collection of adaptations from one of the greatest storytellers of all time.
"Whatever I have tried to do in life, I have tried with all my heart to do it well; whatever I have devoted myself to, I have devoted myself completely; in great aims and in small I have always thoroughly been in earnest." - Charles Dickens
Blackadder's A Christmas Carol (1988)
Director: Richard Boden
Starring: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Robbie Coltrane, Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson
Take a laugh-filled look at Christmas through the centuries past and into the future with the Blackadder families in this spoof of the Charles Dickins... Read more
Great Expectations (1997)
6.8/10
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Bancroft, Robert De Niro
This modern, stylish remake of the Dickens classic is set in the New York City art world. Ethan Hawke is the misunderstood artist wooing rich girl Gwy... Read more
The Old Curiosity Shop (1994)
6.6/10
Director: Kevin Connor
Starring: Peter Ustinov, Tom Courtenay, James Fox, Sally Walsh
Peter Ustinov is the kindly shopkeeper, Sally Walsh his granddaughter, Little Nell, and Tom Courtenay the conniving Mr Quilip in this filming of the b... Read more
Great Expectations (1946)
7.9/10
Director: David Lean
Starring: John Mills, Valerie Hobson, Bernard Miles, Alec Guinness, Martita Hunt, Jean Sim...
One of the great translations of literature into film, David Lean's "Great Expectations" brings Charles Dickens's masterpiece to robust on-screen life... Read more
Oliver Twist (2005)
6.9/10
Director: Roman Polanski
Starring: Barney Clark, Harry Eden, Jamie Foreman, Ben Kingsley, Jeremy Swift, Edward Hard...
A dynamic, though faithful interpretation of one of Dicken's best-loved stories is Polanski's follow-up to his Oscar-winning, 'The Pianist'. Barney C... Read more
Oliver! (1968)
7.5/10
Director: Carol Reed
Starring: Harry Secombe, Jack Wild, Mark Lester, Oliver Reed, Ron Moody, Shani Wallis
The musical version of Dicken's classic 'Oliver Twist' adds song and dance to the story of a brave lad trying to survive amidst wretched social condit... Read more
Our Mutual Friend (1998)
8.2/10
Director: Julian Farino
Starring: Paul McGann, Anna Friel, Pam Ferris, Timothy Spall
Based on Charles Dickens' novel, this lavish Masterpiece Theatre production is set in 1860s London and concerns two converging love affairs, one invol... Read more
Martin Chuzzlewit (1996)
8.2/10
Director: Pedr James
Starring: Paul Scofield, Tom Wilkinson, John Mills, Julia Sawalha, Keith Allen, Elizabeth...
Social comedy and serious drama meet in this BBC mini-series of the Charles Dickens' tale. Greed turns the family and friends of Martin Chuzzlewit, a... Read more
Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, The (2000)
Director: Stephen Whittaker
Starring: Charles Dance, James D'Arcy, Pam Ferris, Gregor Fisher
From Charles Dickens' classic novel: The death of their father has thrown the Nickleby family into chaos. They are forced to beg for protection from M... Read more
Little Dorrit (2008)
8.3/10
Director: Diarmuid Lawrence, Dearbhla Walsh, Adam Smith
Starring: Bill Paterson, Judy Parfitt, Tom Courtenay, Andy Serkis, James Fleet, Alun Armst...
Scandalous secrets, strangling bureaucracy, and crippling debts collide in this compelling adaptation of Charles Dickens' weighty novel, which debuted... Read more