Bleak House |  | Actors: Gillian Anderson, Alun Armstrong, Charlie Brooks
Studio: BBC Warner
Category: DVD
List Price: $39.98
Buy New: $29.86
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Seller: Supermart
Rating:  164 reviews
Sales Rank: 19424
Format: Color, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
Number Of Discs: 3
Running Time: 510 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: WARDE2508D
UPC: 794051250827
EAN: 0794051250827
ASIN: B000CEXG0U
Theatrical Release Date: 2005
Release Date: February 28, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 02/28/2006
Amazon.com
Andrew Davies isn't much of household name in the U.S., but he's the king of the BBC mini-series. His skillfully adapted scripts for Pride & Prejudice (the beloved Colin Firth version) and many, many more are peerless examples of classic novels done right--cunningly edited and shaped to let all the rich emotion and sharp intelligence spill over with zip and vigor. Bleak House is no exception; it's one of the best Dickens adaptations to date. The mini-series form allows Dickens' panoramic view, brimming with eccentric characters and complex turns of plot, to sprawl out without losing an iota of suspense or momentum. Two innocent young orphans (Patrick Kennedy and Carey Mulligan) are the potential heirs to a fortune, but their fates are snarled in a monumental legal battle known as Jarndyce and Jarndyce. But the heart of the story is another orphan, Esther Summerson (Anna Maxwell Martin), whose mysterious parentage proves to be intertwined with the fate of the Jarndyce wards and the aloof Lady Dedlock (Gillian Anderson, The X-Files). Dickens' story twines through an excoriating vision of the legal system to heartbreaking domestic drama to a murder investigation to near-Gothic horror, all broken into utterly delicious half-hour segments (after the hour-long opening episode). Martin is utterly beguiling, homely at one moment and luminous the next; Anderson's grippingly eerie and brittle performance will delight her fans. But to single out anyone seems absurd, because every character--from the vicious lawyer Tulkinghorn (Charles Dance, White Mischief) to the foppish parasite Skimpole (Nathaniel Parker, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries) to the simpering clerk Guppy (Burn Gorman)--is intricately drawn, all hitting a mesmerizing balance between caricature and stark emotional honesty. Bleak House demonstrates that humor, pathos, and social criticism can all be contained in one wonderfully entertaining package. --Bret Fetzer
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 164
 Bleak House in Blu-Ray February 8, 2010
Joseph L. Ponessa (Glendive MT USA)
After seeing Bleak House the first time on DVD and the second time on BBC-TV, I recently acquired the blu-ray. I got my copy from England, where the price is advantageous. This was a risk, because it might have been blocked for use only in Region B. Thankfully, this set turned out to be region-free.
Stretched out to three discs in blu-ray just as in DVD, the picture seems to enjoy having plenty of disc space. Since the program was originally filmed in high-definition, the transfer to blu-ray is very good. The director uses swift pans and scans which are a blur in all formats, but much easier on the eyes in blu-ray. Nearly every scene includes foreground out of focus and background in focus, and the part of the scene that draws the eye, the part in focus, is much crisper and clearer on the blu-ray.
The blu-ray is distinctly more smooth and happy a viewing experience, and highly recommended even as an upgrade for those who already own the DVD.
Dickens was a funny guy January 21, 2010
Matsusourdough (Palmer, AK USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Watching Dickens well done is a supreme pleasure. Seeing his quirky characters come to life in this venue kept us rapt for hours. The struggle seen between the haves and have-nots was like watching a nineteenth century reality TV show. Just follow the money!
A classic filmed in a modern style with awesome results January 11, 2010
Gregory N. Perkins (Frankfort, KY USA)
This is a rare thing: A very good film of a classic story, brimming with modern flair which doesn't detract from or attempt to dilute the original story and themes. Expertly cast and shot, it demands repeat viewing both for the enjoyable twistings of plot, and to savor true, old-fashioned acting.
The film is based on Charles Dickens' dramatic book of the same name, and features an array of established actors as well as some younger ones who have worked on other projects. The unlikely casting of Gillian Anderson as Lady Dedlock works well, as she perfectly embodies her character. Additionally, Carey Mulligan, who has more recently attracted notice for her work in "An Education" makes for a charming Ada Clare. Denis Lawson, though not a widely publicized actor in the United States, had a bit part years ago in George Lucas's original "Star Wars" film. Here, he plays the pivotal and meaty role of John Jarndyce, and he plays it extremely well, being both frankly kind and pained by the miserable grinding of the lawsuit which bears his name. Burn Gorman, who here plays the sizable role of William Guppy, is the sort of young actor who comes along once in a very great while and inspires confidence that he could develop into an acting giant over time. In this production, he drives home the odd combination of slippery untrustworthiness and genuine sympathy the viewer conflictingly feels toward Guppy. Mr. Gorman also had a significant part in the British science fiction show "Torchwood." Lastly, Anna Maxwell Martin as Esther Summerson and fabulous character actors Charles Dance and Alun Armstrong as, respectively, Tulkinghorn and Inspector Bucket, give solid performances that add to the professional sheen of this production.
I can't recommend this film highly enough if you appreciate creative and faithful literary adaptations.
 Bleak House December 2, 2009
T. Farrer-Myers (NYC)
0 out of 6 found this review helpful
I haven't watched the Bleak House DVD yet. However, it appears to be in good condition. It arrived promptly to my address. Since I haven't reviewed the quality of the DVD, I rated it four stars. I would order from them again!
Short Review November 27, 2009
Tiffany N. Gimbel (Pensacola Florida)
Bottom Line: This adaptation is brilliantly acted. Anna Maxwell Martin and Gillian Anderson both shine in their roles. It is a bit long, but stick with it - you won't be disappointed!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 164
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