The Old Curiosity Shop DVD with Tom Courtenay, Sally Walsh, Peter Ustinov (NR) +Movie Reviews

The Old Curiosity Shop is a wonderful Production!!!!!

vessie@oz | Australia | 04/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This must be the DVD Bargain of the year. I brought this DVD as I enjoy watching Dickens.

I have not read the book or seen this movie before buying it. I brought it Purely for the price. What a surprise I was in for.

The story is about a girl named Nell and she lives with her Grandfather in a shop called "The Old Curiosity Shop". Nell's grandfather loves her very much, however he has a problem with gambling. He borrows money from his evil landlord (played by Tom Courtenay).

When the Landlord finds out what Grandfather has been doing with the money he takes all that belongs to the old Gentleman and makes plans to put him in the madhouse.

Nell desperately wants to protect her Grandfather so they set out to leave London for the Sea Side.

Will Nell and her Grandfather able to be free from the Landlord or will the evil Landlord find them and do what he set out to do.

Watch and find out. This DVD is a must for anyone who enjoys Dickens and/or family movies. A movie to be enjoyed by all ages.

With great actors, well made production of the greatest quality at a great price what more could you ask for.

You will not be disappointed."

The Extremely Curious Curiosity Shop

H. Shumway | 07/31/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had never read this book by C. Dickens. Some of his stories are a bit grim for me, but I thought why not see a film version. I liked it--no, I was so fascinated by the plight of this girl and her irresponsible grandfather, that I can truly say, "I loved it." I was actually walking along beside them as they tried to escape the baddies."

Don't Expect the BBC's Bleak House or Little Dorrit

L. Rutledge | Pueblo, CO | 10/24/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Made for the Disney Channel in 1995, this truncated adaptation of Dickens' beloved novel benefits from a strong performance by Peter Ustinov, and a near-brilliant one by Tom Courtenay, but suffers heavily from the role of Little Nell being played by Yorkshire actress Sally Walsh. Walsh's Nell is hardly the tremulous, emotionally complicated, and ultimately unforgettable child of Dickens' imagination, and without that emotional center the film is only modestly gripping and Nell herself is just an inscrutable bundle of bland "can-do" perkiness. The cinematography has the inevitable flatness of a made-for-TV movie: too much light, too little atmosphere. There isn't a memorable image in the entire three-hour movie -- which is shocking for anything based on Dickens. Still, it's a moderately enjoyable time-killer. Just don't buy it with the expectation of experiencing anything like the BBC's recent Bleak House or Little Dorrit."

Excellent entertainment

Jennifer A. Clark | Miami | 04/13/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I never thought I would enjoy this story as I did when I watched this version of the movie... I had never read the book in its entirety, but I did know the story - having been brought up reading Dickens and Shakespeare at school. I never thought I would enjoy Mr. Quilp, but I did, and I wish I could shake Tom Courtenay's hand - I thoroughly enjoyed Quilp - he was the best of all!! I felt sorry for him in the end. Kit was a delight. The scenery was beautiful, the sets excellently put together..

I can't impose on people that the size of the book should not alarm them, as originally these were written in weekly sections. I do think we should all read at least one of Charles Dickens' books (apart from A Christmas Carol) and get the feeling of Victorian England and its effect on children especially, as Mr. Dickens so keenly addresses and describes.."

Colorful bad-guys carry the story. Intriguing.

Reliable Reviews | Carmel Valley, California | 10/04/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"
This 1994-version with Peter Ustinov as the grandfather is the best version. 3-hours, in color. The appeal of this film is the colorful and interesting bad-guys scheming against the grandfather and each other, and the perils of sweet, young, Nell. Up until 1869, a few years after the American Civil War, there really were debtors'-prisons in England. If you could not pay your debt; your creditor could have you dragged off to prison. This is a story about a vindictive creditor who wants to throw the grandfather in debtors' prison or worse, and the grandfather trying to elude him.

In this version, Mr. Quilp, the creditor, steals the show as the petty, vindictive, scheming, bad-guy, who enjoys doing evil. No one could play this bad guy better. A nice young woman twenty years younger than Mr. Quilp, who was poor and destitute, marries him to escape poverty, but brings her mother along to live with them.

There are several other colorful characters, such as Mr. Swiveller, the lazy bum gentleman suitor wanting to marry Nell. There is the crooked, obsequious, lawyer Mr. Brass and his icy sister who conspire with Mr. Quilp to harm the grandfather. There is the mysterious, dignified, wealthy, gentleman, making inquiries about the grandfather.

This film is intriguing from beginning to end. Some glimpses of beautiful scenery as they travel the countryside. Some sarcasm and humor from Mr. Quilp.

A good ending is critically important. I removed 1-star for a lackluster ending. The script-writer should have re-written Mr. Dickens' ending, which would have required re-writing the relationship between Nell and her grandfather, which I detail under the "comment" button below.

The characters of the other, 2007 abd 1979 versions are not as colorful. The 1979-version is a slower pace. They are watchable; not bad if you watch them before seeing this better version, 3-stars."

Search - The Old Curiosity Shop on DVD

Movie Details

Similar Movies

Similarly Requested DVDs

Movie Reviews

	The Old Curiosity Shop Actors: Tom Courtenay, Sally Walsh, Peter Ustinov Directors: W.A. Conner, Kevin Connor Genres: Drama, Television NR 2005 3hr 8min Studio: Platinum Disc Llc Release Date: 06/07/2005 Run time: 188 minutes
11 Larger Image