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
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
Scrooge (1970)
7.5/10
Director: Ronald Neame
Starring: Albert Finney, Dame Edith Evans, Kenneth More, Alec Guinness
The spirit of Christmas becomes a musical celebration of life in this rousing adaptation of Charles Dickens' beloved family classic, 'A Christmas Caro... Read more
Scrooged (1988)
7/10
Director: Richard Donner
Starring: Karen Allen, John Forsythe, Bill Murray, John Glover, Bobcat Goldthwait, David J...
Frank Cross (Bill Murray) is a cynical TV executive planning a live adaptation of Dickens' Christmas Carol. Frank's childhood wasn't a particularly pl... Read more
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
7.7/10
Director: Brian Henson
Starring: Michael Caine, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy
The Charles Dickens yuletide classic gets 'muppetized' in this extravaganza that stars Michael Caine as mean-spirited Ebeneezer Scrooge and muppet fav... Read more
The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012)
6.8/10
Director: Diarmuid Lawrence
Starring: Ron Cook, Matthew Rhys, Rory Kinnear, Freddie Fox, Tamzin Merchant
Charles Dickens' famously unfinished work receives an intriguing new adaptation with this British miniseries about troubled choirmaster John Jasper (M... 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
The Pickwick Papers (BBC) (1988)
7.1/10
Director: Brian Lighthill
Starring: Nigel Stock, Ray Brooks
The timeless adventures of Charles Dicken's Pickwick Club are brought to life in this colourful new adaptation by the BBC. Nigel Stock stars as Pickwi... Read more
The Signalman (1976)
7.8/10
Director: Lawrence Gordon Clark
Starring: Denholm Elliott, Bernard Lloyd
Charles Dickens' chilling tale of a haunted railway track. The signalman at a lonely country station is haunted by a spectre warning of an impending t... Read more
Twist (2003)
5.9/10
Director: Jacob Tierney
Starring: Nick Stahl, Joshua Close, Gary Farmer, Stephen McHattie
Dickens' classic gets the modern treatment, set in Toronto, and told from the perspective of the Artful Dodger. Dodge (Nick Stahl) is a smack-addicte... Read more