terrence-paris Review of The Pickwick Papers

The Pickwick Papers (1985)

Thoroughly enjoyable and skillful adaptation of a Dickens favourite.

[10/10 · 11 August 2015]

I just finished watching the 12th and final episode of the BBC adaptation of Dickens' The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club. Much more of the plot could be included over the span of 6 hours than in the 1952 movie version of less than 2 hours. The only significant omissions were the extended interplay between the medical students Benjamin Allen and Bob Sawyer, the Bath episode, and the Reverend Mr. Stiggins' malign influence over Sam's step-mother. As already mentioned by one reviewer, Phil Daniels as Sam Weller and Patrick Malahide as Mr. Jingle are standout performances. I found Sam Weller as portrayed by Daniels particularly affecting - cheeky irreverence conjoined with solicitude and kindliness. The 1952 movie is also worth watching if only for its array of terrific British character actresses: Joyce Grenfell, Hermione Gingold, Athene Seyler and Hattie Jacques.