The Old Curiosity Shop
No other author is as adept as Charles Dickens at making characters leap from the pages of his novels, and The Old Curiosity Shop is no exception. An intricate tapestry of good and evil, its main character is a kindhearted man who is haunted by the vices within him.
In this splendid new adaptation, Peter Ustinov plays the lovable old shopkeeper who lives with his granddaughter, Nell, in turn-of-the-century England. The old man has borrowed heavily from his evil landlord, Daniel Quilp. When Quilp discovers his tenant has been throwing the money away at the gaming tables, Quilp takes possession of the shop and threatens to have the old man thrown in the madhouse. Nell and her grandfather are forced to flee London. So begins their epic journey through the English countryside.
Member Reviews
The Old Curiosity Shop - Xing
This made for TV "movie" was a real let down. Not what we hoped for. I love Ustinov and he was fine as far as it goes, but, this was definitly a glorified TV show rather than a quality movie. It was a waste of a selection. If you are a Dickens fan skip this one.Excellent Film - newdaysof
The Old Curiosity Shop is one of Charles Dickens best novels but is not as well known as his others. This film brings the novel to life in a very faithful and detailed way.
Tom Courtney is simply brilliant as the evil and hilarious Quilp, one of Dicken's best villains. All the other actors do superb jobs bringing their characters to life. The dialogue and acting simply sparkles. Some scenes will make you laugh out loud, other will make you cry.
Charles Dicken's novels and characters have stood the test of time because the human conditions, foibles, quirks, flaws and positive traits were universal in his time and are still universal today. The young girl Nell represents innocence, purity, happiness and hope, whereas she is surrounded by all manner of crooks, thieves, swindlers and lechers who sabotage her life and ultimately lead to her death. Even her grandfather turns out to be a gambling addict who steals from her and lies. The only one she can trust is Kit, but his reputation gets sabotaged as well.
Dickens not only develops amazing characters and conflicts, he creates drama and action as well. And the poetic justice of Quilp's final demise is pure Dickens. His own moneybags literally kill him in the end.
The film brings all of this to life and shows the stark contrast between 1840's London, which is dark, dank, damp and retched, and the English countryside which is fresh, green, lush, sunny and inspiring. The landscape cinematography is simply breath-taking.
Member Reviews
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The Old Curiosity Shop - Xing
This made for TV "movie" was a real let down. Not what we hoped for. I love Ustinov and he was fine as far as it goes, but, this was definitly a glorified TV show rather than a quality movie. It was a waste of a selection. If you are a Dickens fan skip ...Excellent Film - newdaysof
The Old Curiosity Shop is one of Charles Dickens best novels but is not as well known as his others. This film brings the novel to life in a very faithful and detailed way.
Tom Courtney is simply brilliant as the evil and hilarious Quilp, one of Dicken's ...