Bleak House
 | Starring: Gillian Anderson, Alun Armstrong, Charlie Brooks BBC Warner, 2005, DVD Customer Rating: 175 reviews Recommend |
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Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 02/28/2006
Andrew Davies isn't much of household name in the U.S., but he's the king of the BBC mini-series. His skillfully adapted scripts for Pride & Prejudice (the beloved Colin Firth version) and many, many more are peerless examples of classic novels done right — cunningly edited and shaped to let all the rich emotion and sharp intelligence spill over with zip and vigor. Bleak House is no exception; it's one of the best Dickens adaptations to date. The mini-series form allows Dickens' panoramic view, brimming with eccentric characters and complex turns of plot, to sprawl out without losing an iota of suspense or momentum. Two innocent young orphans (Patrick Kennedy and Carey Mulligan) are the potential heirs to a fortune, but their fates are snarled in a monumental legal battle known as Jarndyce and Jarndyce. But the heart of the story is another orphan, Esther Summerson (Anna Maxwell Martin), whose mysterious parentage proves to be intertwined with the fate of the Jarndyce wards and the aloof Lady Dedlock (Gillian Anderson, The X-Files). Dickens' story twines through an excoriating vision of the legal system to heartbreaking domestic drama to a murder investigation to near-Gothic horror, all broken into utterly delicious half-hour segments (after the hour-long opening episode). Martin is utterly beguiling, homely at one moment and luminous the next; Anderson's grippingly eerie and brittle performance will delight her fans. But to single out anyone seems absurd, because every character — from the vicious lawyer Tulkinghorn (Charles Dance, White Mischief) to the foppish parasite Skimpole (Nathaniel Parker, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries) to the simpering clerk Guppy (Burn Gorman) — is intricately drawn, all hitting a mesmerizing balance between caricature and stark emotional honesty. Bleak House demonstrates that humor, pathos, and social criticism can all be contained in one wonderfully entertaining package. — Bret Fetzer
Title: Bleak House
Sales Rank: 25143 in DVD
Actor: Gillian Anderson, Alun Armstrong, Charlie Brooks
Studio: BBC Warner, 2006-02-28, Theatrical Release: 2005
Format: Color, Widescreen, NTSC, Acpect Ratio 1.66:1
Languages: English (Subtitled), English (Original Language)
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region Code: 1
Running Time: 510 minutes
Package Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches, 0.25 pounds
- A great and not entirely bleak story
- All the cast members here are great, especially Gillian Anderson. This is the lengthy but always compelling story of the Jaunydyce family, the Dedlocks, and many other people, both friendly and unfriendly, that they are associated with in London and the English countryside. Secrets and plots threaten to destroy some people, and in some cases… More reviews
- Outstanding
- I really cannot add to the praises already stated about "Bleak House". It absolutely held my attention throughout. I will say that it was a little so going for the first 10-15 minutes. But after that, it really took off. You will not be disappointed if you purchase this set. Also, it has sub-titles which is great for these 60+ year old ears.… More reviews
- Bang, thump, whoooshh!!
- The title refers to the unnecessary sound affects, and jerky trick camera work used often in this production at the beginning of each episode or when switching scenes. Presumably, this was done to attract and keep the attention of the masses (or the American market). While a little annoying, one gets used to it. Furthermore, the rest of this is simply… More reviews
- Serious, superb dramatization with a feel good ending
- Excellent! This drama will keep you on the edge of your seat wanting to watch more....and more...and more. It is more than 500 minutes and when it ends you will still want more. The acting is fabulous. Love story, murder mystery, family relationships, are all dealt with using serious dialogue and humor. There is sadness, and satisfaction. A happy… More reviews
- Superb House
- Nothing about this adaptation is bleak except for the Charles Dickens title! Thoroughly enjoyed Gillian Anderson (Yes, that woman from the X-Files) and the remaining major and minor players in this DVD. It was a tad difficult to "get into" the language/accents for the first 20 minutes but after that no problem at all. This BBC mini-series holds… More reviews
