Bleak House (1985) DVD | Movie Mail UK | DVDs and Blu-ray films direct

Star Review

Bleak House (1985) is an intriguing contrast with Bleak House (2005). Arthur Hopcraft (who also scripted Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy) wrote the 1985 script and Andrew Davies, the writer of the 2005 version, freely admits his debt. So they are close enough for comparison to be fun. Of course, the 2005 version was great but the 1985 is better – divergent opinions will not be tolerated. With the exception of Lord Deadlock, Smallweed and Esther, the 1985 acting and characterisations are better; more biting, more...Dickensian. The lighting and sets are better too; this is serious, dark Victorian London. On the other side of the coin, the editing wasn’t quite so slick in 1985 and the initial music (from the Brideshead school) is outdated.
The really big difference is that the 1985 version is paced for the whole story whereas the 2005 was paced episode by episode. That makes a big difference when you watch it on DVD, as in the 1985 version, it’s even more the drive of the story that keeps you going.
But that’s not the main reason why I like the 1985 better. Denholm Elliot’s performance as John Jarndyce is one of his works of genius. The whole story comes together much, much better with his John Jarndyce than it did with Denis Lawson’s 2005 performance. On top of that, the livelier chemistry between Esther and Dr Alan in the 1985 makes one of the cornerstones of the piece far more satisfying.

Alan Hunter on 11th August 2006

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