David Copperfield
Original title: The Personal History, Adventures, Experience, & Observation of David Copperfield the Younger
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
4.8K
YOUR RATING
A gentle orphan discovers life and love in an indifferent adult world.A gentle orphan discovers life and love in an indifferent adult world.A gentle orphan discovers life and love in an indifferent adult world.
- Nominated for 3 Oscars
- 1 win & 4 nominations total
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn response to the widespread criticism of his having played Micawber with a strong American accent, W.C. Fields responded, "My father was an Englishman, and I inherited this accent from him! Are you trying to go against nature?"
- GoofsThe size of some of the words/letters engraved on David's father's tombstone grow larger from when the viewer first sees the stone to when David visits it as a boy.
- Quotes
David Copperfield as a child: But why must I go away, Aunt Betsey? I want to stay with you, and Mr. Dick.
Aunt Betsy Trotwood: But you have to be educated, David, and take your place in the world. There isn't a finer school in Canterbury than Dr. Strong's. You must make us proud, David. Never be mean in anything. Never be false. Never be cruel. Avoid these three vices, and I can always be hopeful of you.
- Crazy creditsFilm opens with the last sentence of Charles Dickens's preface to the original edition: "Like many fond parents, I have in my heart of hearts, a favourite child, and his name is David Copperfield."
- Alternate versionsAlso shown in a computer colorized version.
- ConnectionsFeatured in David O. Selznick: 'Your New Producer' (1935)
- SoundtracksThe First Noel
(uncredited)
17th century (or earlier) carol
[Partially Sung and played during the opening credits]
Featured review
Masterpiece of film-making brings Dickens' novel to life...
Of all of the films directed by George Cukor, I think this is his finest achievement, helped in no small measure by the perfect casting of all the Dickens characters.
Freddie Bartholomew is flawless as the young David. Edna May Oliver as his stern but loving Aunt Betsy Trotwood gives her usual sharp characterization and nearly steals the first half of the movie. As for Mr. Murdstone, Basil Rathbone is the perfect embodiment of that brutally wicked man. Born to play Mr. Micawber is W. C. Fields, so uncannily right that it almost seems as if Dickens had him in mind when he wrote the character!
Very atmospheric, so much so that it seems almost incredible that an American movie company could have crafted this gem. One would think the British would have beat us to it--but Dickens would have approved of this version, I'm sure.
The only drawback is the length and the scenes involving David's wife, Dora, as played by Maureen O'Sullivan with a saccharine sweetness that becomes cloying at times. (Thank God she didn't play Melanie in 'GWTW'). Some of the acting is a bit florid but to be expected when you consider this was made in 1935. Roland Young is well cast as Uriah Heep.
Highly recommended. Anyone who cherishes the Dickens novel will not be disappointed. The only flaw is that the story has been compressed in order to limit the running time to two hours and ten minutes and it shows. All the essential characters remain but some of them have little dimension because of time constraints.
Freddie Bartholomew is flawless as the young David. Edna May Oliver as his stern but loving Aunt Betsy Trotwood gives her usual sharp characterization and nearly steals the first half of the movie. As for Mr. Murdstone, Basil Rathbone is the perfect embodiment of that brutally wicked man. Born to play Mr. Micawber is W. C. Fields, so uncannily right that it almost seems as if Dickens had him in mind when he wrote the character!
Very atmospheric, so much so that it seems almost incredible that an American movie company could have crafted this gem. One would think the British would have beat us to it--but Dickens would have approved of this version, I'm sure.
The only drawback is the length and the scenes involving David's wife, Dora, as played by Maureen O'Sullivan with a saccharine sweetness that becomes cloying at times. (Thank God she didn't play Melanie in 'GWTW'). Some of the acting is a bit florid but to be expected when you consider this was made in 1935. Roland Young is well cast as Uriah Heep.
Highly recommended. Anyone who cherishes the Dickens novel will not be disappointed. The only flaw is that the story has been compressed in order to limit the running time to two hours and ten minutes and it shows. All the essential characters remain but some of them have little dimension because of time constraints.
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- Doylenf
- May 28, 2001
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- The Personal History, Adventures, Experience, & Observation of David Copperfield the Younger
- Filming locations
- Malibu, California, USA(Dover scenes)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime2 hours 10 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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