The Pickwick Papers (1952) -
Having not read the original book yet, I didn't know how well this film translated from Dickens original work, but I would say that it definitely paled in comparison to 'A Christmas Carol' and 'Great Expectations'.
However, although it was almost like pantomime in the way that it was delivered, I did enjoy the comedy aspect. The fisticuffs and duelling were particularly amusing. Sadly though, the whole cast were all such fast talkers that it was difficult to keep up with them at times.
I also felt that it was quite an old fashioned style and production of a film from 1952 and it could almost have been from at least two or three decades before, because there was a sort of Gilbert & Sullivan-esque performance about it and less of the finesse that a lot of films that I've seen from the 1950's have had. Using my litmus test film 'The Wizard Of Oz' (1939) this one was positively archaic in its delivery, by comparison.
My only other notes were that the women were very shrill and Mr Pickwick, played by James Hayter had some very snug strides on. His tailor wouldn't have to ask which side HE dressed.
Apart from that I wasn't sure how a 21st century cast and crew might make this today, because the story was just a bit too twee and 'Victorian', with a slapstick style that I personally didn't think new audiences would necessarily get, let alone appreciate. And I didn't feel that it could even be updated for our time or interpreted in to modern setting. I felt that it would take someone very clever and be a tough ask to make it without too much daftness.
I would watch it again, but I'd be glad that I knew what I was getting in to, without worrying about pausing it to make a cup of tea or perhaps I might complete a jigsaw puzzle whilst it was on in the background.
511.95/1000.
Having not read the original book yet, I didn't know how well this film translated from Dickens original work, but I would say that it definitely paled in comparison to 'A Christmas Carol' and 'Great Expectations'.
However, although it was almost like pantomime in the way that it was delivered, I did enjoy the comedy aspect. The fisticuffs and duelling were particularly amusing. Sadly though, the whole cast were all such fast talkers that it was difficult to keep up with them at times.
I also felt that it was quite an old fashioned style and production of a film from 1952 and it could almost have been from at least two or three decades before, because there was a sort of Gilbert & Sullivan-esque performance about it and less of the finesse that a lot of films that I've seen from the 1950's have had. Using my litmus test film 'The Wizard Of Oz' (1939) this one was positively archaic in its delivery, by comparison.
My only other notes were that the women were very shrill and Mr Pickwick, played by James Hayter had some very snug strides on. His tailor wouldn't have to ask which side HE dressed.
Apart from that I wasn't sure how a 21st century cast and crew might make this today, because the story was just a bit too twee and 'Victorian', with a slapstick style that I personally didn't think new audiences would necessarily get, let alone appreciate. And I didn't feel that it could even be updated for our time or interpreted in to modern setting. I felt that it would take someone very clever and be a tough ask to make it without too much daftness.
I would watch it again, but I'd be glad that I knew what I was getting in to, without worrying about pausing it to make a cup of tea or perhaps I might complete a jigsaw puzzle whilst it was on in the background.
511.95/1000.