Episode 1

Proper Dickens Properly done
There has recently been a rebirth of Dickens mini-series and I believe that this is one of the best. For some reason, Dickens is best known for his depressing stuff (a Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations) but Martin Chuzzlewit is a robust melodrama and it translates very well to the screen.

There are actually two Martins in this movie, Martin senior, the wealthy old man who is suspicious of everyone, and his grandson and namesake who Martin Sr. has disinherited. With the heir apparent out of the way, Martin Sr.'s money grubbing relations move in to try to get themselves a piece of the pie when the old man dies. The sneakiest and most odious of the lot is the hypocrytical Mr. Pecksniff. (Look closely, do you recognize the Dashwood sister's father from Sense and Sensibility?) He has a slimy scheme for getting at Martin Sr.'s money and plans to use Martin jr. for it.

That, in a nutshell is the plot for the first hour of the movie. Other subplots involve more of Mrtin Sr.'s...

Excellent and enjoyable. An instant classic.
It's a shame that not enough people seem to know about "Martin Chuzzlewit," based on Charles Dickens' novel.

The story centers on wealthy, old Martin Chuzzlewit (Paul Scofield). His many relatives believe that he is at death's door, so they swarm about him like a bees angling to get a piece of his fortune. He is estranged from his namesake and grandson, young Martin, and is accompanied about town by his young companion, Mary Graham. Chief among his many relatives is the hypocritical and fastidious Mr. Pecksniff (wonderfully portrayed by the versatile Tom Wilkinson - "Full Monty," "In the Bedroom") and his daughters Charity (Emma Chambers) and Mercy (Julia Sawalha - "AbFab" and "Pride and Prejudice"). He invites young Chuzzlewit into his home only to banish him without explanation weeks later. Young Martin has to fend for himself and leaves for America with his faithful helper Mark Tapley in search of fortune.

The cast is sold...

GREAT Escape Entertainment
Truly, one of the best I have ever seen and yes, do like to watch over and over again...

I had a "Dickens" of a time in the mid 90's trying to find this video a while after it was first presented on PBS, but at the then discounted price of $60, it was very well worth it!

It's an enthralling tale you become one with...you feel as though you are an observer on the sidelines trying to keep score as this thoroughly amusing bunch of people go from scene to scene, fleshing out Dickens' tale that portrays many of the worst and also the good and decent qualities of human behavior. The actors are THAT believable and so right in their respective roles!

I find though that I have to listen carefully in a few parts of this story, as the words said in the thick English slangy accent from a few of the characters can pass me by.

Altogether this is a truly superb show that unlike so much else out there, I will never tire of seeing again and again!

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