User Reviews

Here is Dickens at his best: the Royal Shakespeare Company distills the novel into a compelling and absorbing drama. The staging is impeccable and the artful addition of music and naration sweep the viewer into the very heart of the work. Drama, comedy, melodrama, and tragedy are all woven together by brilliant acting and no-less-brilliant directing.

The original stage production in London and New York demanded two whole evenings, and the DVD faithfully re-creates the experience. The nine hours seem all-too short! This DVD production is a benchmark for the medium. The rich and dreadful world of mid nineteenth century London bursts to life with minimal sets that allow the superb cast to perform their magic; your living room becomes a theatre and draws you in.

Not to be missed!

This RSC filmed nine hour long stage production is without doubt the most comprehensive, compelling and wonderfully unmissable adaptation of any Dickens novel ever made. If I could give it more than 10 out of 10 I would.

Brilliant stage work, superb acting from every single member of the impressive cast, and good musical direction, and even incorporated audience participation. In short, it had the lot. Even for those unfortunate souls who turn their noses up at the classics this is a must see. It may change their minds.

The maddening thing for me is, that although I have the complete production on audio tape, I have only the last episode on video. I hope to rectify this dire omission in my library a.s.a.p.

I realise that the Royal Shakespeare Company has an ever formidable schedule, but I'm led to wonder why it hasn't tried a similar project with other Dickens novels. Could it be that this one is just unsurpassable?

My husband bought the video set shortly after we viewed the series for the first time. I play it every year, at Christmas. Being great fans of Dickens's works we are thrilled and delighted every time with the entire production, from the excellent acting, staging, music, etc. No one could wish for a more perfect cast.

I first saw this on TV when I was about thirteen or fourteen and I was absolutely rivited to the screen every Monday for weeks. When they repeated it due to popular demand about three months later I was hooked all over again. It is one of the most amazing television experiences of my life. It is simply sublime.

The acting, the dialogue, the action, the sets, everything is wonderful. Nicholas confronting Sqeers is still one of the most thrilling things I have ever seen and could Smikes' death be any sadder?

Roger Rees is the ideal Nicholas, exuding the right amount of boyish naivety and pluck, David Threlfall was a wonderfully sincere Smike, while special mention must go to Edward Petherbridge whose portrayal of Newman Noggs contained the perfect balance of humour and pathos.

All in all I couldn't recommend it more highly. Ten stars at least.

It took me a while to get started on this series. Perhaps because I had never watched a stage show captured for television. I expected it to be a series of exhausting conversations in a dismal setting that seldom changed. But, I was wrong on all accounts. The 'Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' is a classic and outstanding show. Every character from Nicholas and Smike to Ralph and Crummles has done tremendous justice to their roles. The display of emotions, clarity of dialogs, and intensity of expressions are astonishing. I assume there must have been thirty to thirty-five actors in the show. The number of characters in the play is definitely higher. The dexterity with which actors have played multiple roles is phenomenal. Despite the limited resources and space constraints inherent in such shows, the setting changed swiftly and fittingly. Not once did I feel the dreariness of a stagnant location. The sound effects, from the knock of doors to Newman Noggs's snapping fingers, are very natural. This is a magnificent rendering of Dickens's novel and a must-watch. I suggest watching one part a day, because it gives sufficient break to chew over that episode, and absorb the performances in their entirety.

While Hundred-dollar tickets seem commonplace today, back in 1981 it created quite a stir when "Nicholas Nickleby" came to Broadway. But from what I heard, the 9 hour/two day event was worth every penny. I remember seeing the taped London production on television, and was thrilled to see it once again preserved now on DVD. What makes this theatrical event so memorable? It would be easy to say the story...it is, after all, Dickens. But I think the reason is simply everything seemed to fall into place all at once...expert casting, terrific acting, wonderful costumes, simple yet effective sets, and, though not at first so obvious, the music. Wonderful music. One bit of fun: trying to recognize the actors as they appear in different roles; some as many as five each!

After seeing the 2001 adaptation, I said I would see this theatre adaptation, and it was well worth the time and every bit as good as it was touted to be. It is the best adaptation of Dickens' novel easily, there are a few things missing but it is very faithful to the mammoth and somewhat structurally sprawling source material, in detail and in spirit. The costumes and sets are not exactly grand(then again this is a stage adaptation rather than a film or TV series, which would have a different feel), but they do look good and scenes move swiftly and don't interfere with the drama at all. The sound effects are well-incorporated and never do they feel bizarre, while the dialogue is simply terrific, the story cohesive and emotionally impactful and the drama is done to the extent that you don't lose interest. The performances are even better than one could ask for. Roger Rees' Nicholas is outstanding, while the other actors are in multiple roles he plays this single role, this more than makes sense as Nicholas is the biggest role and he is on stage/screen almost the whole time. Emily Richard does a great job making much of a thankless role(if there is anything to criticise Dickens for, it was how he wrote his main female heroines), John Woodvine is a cold conflicted Ralph Nickleby, David Threlfall is astonishingly affecting as Smike and Alun Armstrong's Mr Wackford Squeers is funny and grotesque. In fact everybody play their roles true to character and seem to be having a lot of fun, and without falling into caricature as well. All in all, brilliant, if you love the book or Dickens there is no reason why you shouldn't see this. 10/10 Bethany Cox

I have never seen a better adaptation of a novel by Charles Dickens than this & I don't expect to see anything as good in the future. The Royal Shakespeare Company have done a fabulous job of adapting "Nicholas Nickleby" for the theatre & I couldn't praise this piece of work more highly. All of the cast are superlative in their respective roles but if I had to single out one cast member for special praise it would be David Threlfall who is just movingly brilliant playing the poor crippled boy Smike. This nine hour production is so engrossing that that the time flies by. If only we could bring back Charles Dickens from the dead to hear his opinion of the work done on his great book. I bet he would be as enthralled as everybody else seems to be. For anyone who has never seen this RSC production go out & buy the DVD because I can guarantee you won't regret a single penny of the expense!.

Impossible to find this anywhere else except for on BroadwayHD. But so well worth digging out. I have seen many many adaptations of Dickens and others, and most of the adaptations available of Nicholas Nickleby. This was produced only 5 years after the 1977 BBC TV adaptation of NN which was excellent in its faithfulness and thoroughness, though a bit slow and dry, especially for modern sensibilities. At 8.5 hours, this stage show is even more thorough than the 1977 version, and without a doubt the most thorough adaptation of a Dickens novel that I have ever seen. But the thing is, nothing is sacrificed in the quest for thoroughness. It is wonderful and exciting to watch from start to finish. None of the 8.5 hours feels slow, there is dynamic pace to the production. More dynamic than most TV productions you will see because, well it is being performed live. It is absolutely remarkable that these actors performed this show in its entirety on the same day during its theatrical run (sometimes being split over 2 nights), and the energy from the actors is no less at the end of the show as at the start. A hugely impressive performance. The thing is, NN is not the most exciting or action packed story in the world but yet this production makes it feel dynamic and action packed form start to finish, while still being on the nose in terms of faithfulness. It is such a bold choice to adapt a story like NN in this way. I can't think of any other stage show of a classic novel that has been done like this. It is one of a kind. Unparalleled. And impressive in every sense. But on top of this, and most importantly, it is hugely entertaining to watch also.

I'd have to write like Dickens to praise this properly. If I'd been at the Old Vic I would have attempted to thank everyone in this production. And apparently, the available DVD rendering is a bit of a botch job on what was even greater. To praise individual members is to detract from many dozens of fine artists under expert direction. I cannot resist, however, David Threlfall as Smike. How on earth did he do that? These people are actors, with honed talents and memories like elephants -- a far cry from youngster "idols" who manage a 5-second cut the twelfth time around. The direction! Whom even do I praise for the concept of leaving inactive cast and crew on stage, a silent Greek chorus supervising with amusement, concern, astonishment, and horror? In some places, where they edit the original -- no sacrilege intended -- they improve it. But most all the script of this wonderful production needs no editing, because it is straight from the quill of the great Charles Dickens.

It's quite hard to photograph a stage play for television or the movies. Most times the finished product must, of necessity, do close-ups of some actor or small group of actors, while the entire stage picture is not visible. With "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby" a monumental theatrical undertaking is transformed quite admirably to the small screen. Filmed at The Old Vic in London, the entire show--sets, costumes, lighting, music, and above all else, the acting and direction--are given an immediacy and intimacy that makes the audience member feel as though the show is being performed for them alone.

Charles Dickens works were, by and large, quite long, the original publication being serialized in newspapers and magazines. Rich in character and descriptive passages, with dialog sparkling with the many levels of society that Dickens portrayed, plot layered upon sub-plot and more sub-plot, it would have been understandable if the writers and producers were reluctant to try to bring such a complex novel to life. Certainly, movies are rife with misguided attempts to take 1000 page novels and turn them into 100 minute movies. Seldom do they do more than touch on the highlights of a novel, and then they often feel the need to add story lines that weren't in the original in a foolish attempt to make the production more acceptable to modern audiences. "Nicholas Nickleby" does it right. In nine glorious hours of high energy acting, the tale of Nicholas, his sister Kate, friend Smike, Newman Noggs, greedy uncle Ralph, and the delightful brothers Cheryble unfolds before us.

With a cast numbering more than 40 playing well over 200 roles, the show moves easily from the Nickleby clan's arrival in London to their ultimate happiness, with the usual collection of Dickensian hardships and triumphs along the way. Many actors will be familiar to audiences, although the names might not be so. Certainly, if you watch enough British television on A & E or BBC you will recognize several of the cast members, and Roger Rees, brilliant in the title role, has long been familiar to American audiences.

But pay close attention to the smaller roles, too. An old theater adage says "there are no small parts, only small actors." This show is a perfect example of quality acting from largest to smallest role. Had one actor not been totally on top of their game, it would have stood out badly. Watch the reactions on the faces of the people who are on the edges of a scene: totally involved in what is going on, listening all the time, creating a reality that is as complete as can be found on a stage.

"The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby" is as entertaining, involving, uplifting and exhilarating bit of theater as could be found. It's a joy to watch, and I, for one, am delighted that it is available on DVD. Go out and buy it today, and spend a weekend in front of your TV, entranced. I did.

I've seen many legendary performances, and yet this show was, without a doubt, the most fun I've ever had as an audience member. If, after the full 8+ hours of theater I'd seen that day, they came out and said they had 4 more for us, I'd have leapt to my feet in gratitude! A once in a lifetime production that I feel very lucky to have seen. And the tapes/DVDs bring it all back gloriously.

This video of the Royal Shakespeare Company's 8-hour production of Nicholas Nickleby is well worth the time. It's funny, moving, and very Dickensian. There's also a brief look at Victorian productions of Shakespeare (when Nicholas stars as Romeo) which is absolutely hilarious. The actors all do a wonderful job, particularly those playing Nicholas, Kate, and Ralph Nickleby and Smike. This is one of those rare videotaped plays which captures the best of the real production with none of the drawbacks of most taped plays.

When his father dies, country-born Nicholas Nickleby comes to London with his mother and his sister, Kate, seeking the help and advice of his Uncle, Ralph. To get them out of his hair Ralph connives to get Nicholas a nasty job far from London, and marry Kate off for money.

This "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby," based on the novel by Charles Dickens, was originally done by The Royal Shakespeare Company on stage in a marathon performance over two nights for four hours each.

The TV version is therefore stagey and while much acclaimed in its time (I enjoyed it immensely back then) these days it looks a trifle stodgy and is a chore to fight through.

It's helped along by a fine cast. A few members of the huge cast were well-known in the US at the time, and a few more shot to stardom. Some became familiar faces right up into the new century. Forty years on, their lights are dimming again, unfortunately.

However, it's mostly a clever, well-acted (in a stagey way) ensemble piece and I wished more of Dickens' big novels were given the same treatment.

The piece suffers from Dickens' faults. For instance, if someone comes to London, the most cosmopolitan city in the world at the time, to find somebody, that person is practically the first person they see when they step off the stagecoach. Dickens was nothing if not a lover of coincidence. And it is long (Dickens wrote for serial publication). And Dickens (satirized by Trollope as "Mr. Sentiment") could be deathly cloying and manipulative.

Furthermore, the already long tale was padded out with a bit of an opera and too much of a version of ROMEO AND JULIET with a happy ending. And there's lots of unnecessary shouting, which probably worked better on the stage.

Still, it's a must for Dickensians.

Standouts are Edward Petherbridge as Newman Noggs and Alun Armstrong, Ian McNeice and Susan Bertiche as the nasty Squeers family. David Threlfall got rave notices for his exhausting Smike, but I wish he'd dialed it back more from stage to TV. He tires me on the small screen.

The best thing we can say is it's a fine cast of British actors who play well together and there's no a weak link in the bunch. But it's long and tiresome where in the early 1980s it was long and exciting. I miss those days.