Charles Dickens Collection (Repackaged) [DVD]

I have just received this product and so have not viewed every production (and don't plan on rushing through it), although I have recently seen both Great Expectations and Our Mutual Friend and can vouch for the wonderful quality of those productions. The only real shame is that the 1985 version of Bleak House, by all accounts a wonderful production, is not included, presumably because this set was released just before the (also wonderful) 2005 version was broadcast on TV.My purpose in this review, however, is to talk about the packaging. The BBC have re-packaged this set for Dickens' bicentenary, with the new version (Charles Dickens Collection (Repackaged) [DVD]) now available at a slightly higher price than this one. So which is better? The answer is, quite simply, this one (especially at the cheaper price). The new version is packaged in a cardboard slip-case, which I believe contains the 12 discs in a convential format in the same way as the newly box set-ed Bleak House, Little Dorrit, Oliver Twist and Great Expectations set that was released on the same day (well worth a look too, by the way), with a seperate booklet providing information on each production. That's all well and good, and I'd have no complaints with that set on its own, but the presentation of this original version is exemplary. As another reviewer has mentioned, it is presented in a book format sealed with a magnet (a magnet!), and within each "leaf" of DVD is backed with an information card on the production, with some very well-chosen pictures on the DVD side. It is a joy even to flick through, and that's not something you can often say for a DVD release. Unfortunately, I can only assume that with the new version having been released this edition will sooner or later run out of stock for good. So don't risk it is my advice, and get this copy even if it's only going to sit on your shelf for the time being. Besides, it will look lovely while it's there.(EDIT 23/04/2012: The repackaged version of this product, linked to above, has now been reduced in price and now stands at just a few pounds more expensive than this edition, so bear that in mind when choosing.)

Im super pleased with this box set. No-one could ask for more except maybe some more stories like Nicholas Nickleby and others. I thoroughly enjoyed watching every single one of the 8 stories although Pickwick Papers did take a while to really get going, it was, as expected, worth the wait. The only one I'd seen before was David Copperfield but it was good to see it again. This version of Oliver was a joy to see and is way better than the musical version which I hated and have never been able to stand watching for more than a few minutes. If I had to choose a favourite it would have to be Martin Chuzzlewit, I Loved it, Loved them all, worth every last penny. I only wish that the BBC would take all of Shakespeares works and do the same, I'd be first in the queue to purchase. I Very highly recommend this Charles Dickens box set, it's a MUST BUY without doubt.

A box set of six BBC productions of Charles Dickens favourits for £20, I'm chuffed.

Ich war von den neueren BBC-Verfilmungen LITTLE DORRIT und BLEAK HOUSE hin und weg. Da dachte ich mir, dass diese tolle Collection mir weitere Freude und Kurzweil bereiten würde. "Weit gefehlt!", zu sagen, wäre nun übertrieben, jedoch von Kurzweil und große Freude will ich auch nicht sprechen, zumal die Anschaffung ja kein Klacks ist. (Tipp dazu gebe ich bei den Kommentaren.)Die hier enthaltenen Verfilmungen können mit meinen beiden genannten Lieblingen (Little Dorrit [UK Import] und Bleak House [UK Import) von Qualität, Ausstattung und Atmosphäre auf den Sets nicht mithalten. Es gibt jedoch Ausnahmen. So hatte ich den "MUTUAL FRIEND" und die GREAT EXPECTATIONS bereits lange auf dem Wunschzettel - und bin druchaus angetan von den toll gezeichneten Charakteren und den spitzfindigen Dialogen. Ebenso von der optischen Qualität der Bilder. Bei den älteren Verfilmungen muss man da schon Abstiche machen.In dieser Box eenthalten sind folgende Miniserien:1) The Pickwick Papers:--- Erstausstrahlung 1985 - 5h50min = 350 MinutenThe Pickwick Papers- BBC 1985-3DVDs- Charles Dickens2) Oliver Twist:Erstausstrahlung 1985 - 5h31min - 331 MinutenAls DVD hier im Sortiment nicht gefunden, nur als VHS: Oliver Twist [VHS] [UK Import]3) A CHRISTMAS CAROL [1977]:Erstausstrahlung 1977 - 58 Minuten (sehr kurze Verfilmung)A CHRISTMAS CAROL [1977]4) Martin Chuzzlewit:Erstausstrahlung 1994 - 5h37min = 337 MinutenAls DVD hier im Sortiment nicht gefunden, nur als VHS: Martin Chuzzlewit [VHS] [UK Import]5) David Copperfield:Erstausstrahlung 1999 - 2h59min = 179 Minuten + Making Of + 30 min FilmmusikDavid Copperfield [UK Import6) BBC A Tale of Two Cities:Erstausstrahlung 1980 - 3h10min =190MinutenBBC A Tale of Two Cities- Charles Dickens- EU Import english7) Great Expectations:Erstausstrahlung 1999 - 3h2min = 182 MinutenAls DVD hier im Sortiment nicht gefunden, nur als VHS: Great Expectation [UK-Import] [VHS]8) Our Mutual Friend:Erstausstrahlung 1998 - 5h 50min = 350 Minute +Special Feature + 30 min Filmmusik[Our Mutual Friend [UK Import]]Die Aufmachung der Box ist richtig nett gemacht. In Buchform "blättere" ich mich durch die enthaltenen DVDs. Macht sich schick im Regal, ist praktisch in der Handhabung.Gesmaturteil: Lohnenswerte Anschaffung (gegenüber Einzelkauf auf jeden Fall!), wenn man bereit ist sich auf NUR englische Versionen einzulassen.Prima Period-Drama-Futter für lange Herbst- oder Winter-Abende!Untertitel in ENGLISCHER Sprache kann man einblenden.Subtitles in English available.

It’s convenient ti have so many Dickens videos together. Well done.

Good product, relatively fast delivery.

...not for me. I watched a couple of the Dickens episodes, found them all far too dark and gloomy. The bestwas David Copperfield but mainly because of the actors. I mean, Maggie Smith in there, holy, so terrific! and other great actors too such as Bob Hoskins! Also the lighting was happier, not so intense grey and arrgghhhh depressing.Have tried to watch Oliver Twist but couldnt handle it...such a very sad story, so dark, just unpalatable.have just now ordered the Oliver musical, I remember seeing that as a child with my parents and it still resonates with me..such an uplifting and colorful movie, I know, the story not entirely as in Dickens book, but I can live with that. I wont watch the BBC Oliver Twist for one second longer.So as said, the Dickens DVD collection is probably very amazingly good and completely as told in Dickens books, but for me (and also my husband ), not of any further interest.

'Martin Chuzzlewit' (1994),'Oliver Twist' (1985), 'A Christmas Carol' (1977),'A Tale of Two Cities' (1980), 'Great Expectations' (1999), 'David Copperfield' (1999), 'The Pickwick Papers' (1985), 'Our Mutual Friend' (1998),の8作品が収録されてます。70年代、80年代の作品は流石に映像に古さを感じますが、どれも良かったです。特に 'The Pickwick Papers' (1985), 'Martin Chuzzlewit' (1994)が映像化されるのも珍しく、面白かったです。200th Anniversary Collectionとは 'Oliver Twist' (2007) ,'Great Expectations' (2011) が被ってますが、解釈が違うのでどちらも面白かったです。バラで買うよりもセットで揃えるのが配送料も安くなるのでオススメです。

Aun no lo he visto. Pero me gustan las series de literatura clásica de la BBC. Por eso quería tenerlas.