This Nicholas Nickleby is not one of Hollywood's condensed versions, it's the Royal Shakespeare Company's epic eight-and-a-half-hour adaptation of the life and times of the eponymous school-teacher. The 1982 production (originally staged in two parts) won worldwide acclaim and was such a success that Britain's then-newest TV station, Channel 4, launched a joint venture with independent production company Primetime to bring Nicholas Nickleby to a television audience. The result is this wonderfully theatrical version, filmed at the Old Vic and starring much of the original... stage cast. It manages to stay true to Trevor Nunn's original artistic vision of Dickens's damning incitement of England's educational system. The ensemble cast are superb: Roger Rees as Nicholas is a bright-eyed idealist, every inch the young romantic hero whose principles are often his downfall, but ultimately his salvation; Fulton Mackay's twisted, embittered Squeers is every inch the Dickensian villain; and David Threlfall is transformed as Smike, Squeers' piteously subjugated, crippled servant and gives the most moving performances of his career. This enthralling TV adaptation recreates the magic of the stage version for all those who were unable to catch it on its pitifully short run. It doesn't pull any punches as the humour and inspiring storyline are tempered with real dark and tragic episodes. Forget the Hollywood fluff, this is the version you should watch if you want a faithful retelling of Dickens's story. --Kristen Bowditch [show more]
This is a lovingly recorded version of the groundbreaking RSC production of 1982 with a stellar cast. Directed by Trevor Nunn and John Caird, "Nick Nick" became THE hot ticket during the RSC season that year. In fact, you needed tickets because it was shown in 4 hour tranches, and if you were really keen, you could see the whole eight and a half hours in one day with lunch in between. This I memorably did, and it is one of the most wonderful experiences I have ever had in the theatre. The standing ovation at the end showed how movingly this story of good triumphing over evil was portrayed. Do not miss this - it is a classic and you will enjoy every minute.
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