‘Masterpiece’ period drama on Amazon Prime is ‘best Dickens adaptation of past 25 years’

A long-forgotten Charles Dickens period drama adaptation on Amazon Prime Video has been rediscovered by fans who are calling it the ‘best Dickens adaptation of the last 25 years’.

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It’s being hailed as the ‘best Charles Dickens adaptation of all time’(Image: BBC)

A little-known and long-forgotten period drama on Amazon Prime Video is being hailed as ‘the best Charles Dickens TV adaptation of all time’ — and for good reason.

The six-episode series was originally produced by the BBC and brings to life one of Charles Dickens’ lesser-known novels. The 1994 period drama Martin Chuzzlewit has been called the ‘best Dickens adaptation of the last 25 years’ and audiences can’t stop praising the hidden gem series.

Based on Dickens’ 1844 novel of the same name, Martin Chuzzlewit has completely captivated audiences who are declaring the series is an ‘excellent masterpiece’ that is ‘perfect in every way’.

Adapted for television by David Lodge and directed by Pedr James, Martin Chuzzlewit originally aired on BBC Two between the months of November and December in 1994.

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Fans have declared the series is an ‘excellent masterpiece’ that is ‘perfect in every way’(Image: BBC)

The series’ official plot states: “Old Martin Chuzzlewit is nearing his death. Who will inherit his riches? With such a prize to play for, the Chuzzlewit family bring forth all of their cunning, greed and selfishness. Adapted from the novel by Charles Dickens.”

Starring Tom Wilkinson, Paul Scofield, Pete Postlethwaite, Keith Allen, Pauline Turner, Philip Franks, Elizabeth Spriggs, John Mills, Julia Sawalha, Emma Chambers, and Steve Nicolson alongside a larger ensemble cast, all the actors have been hailed for their ‘outstanding’ performances in the series.

After its release, Martin Chuzzlewit was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries, as well as six BAFTAs including Best Actor — it bagged the BAFTA for Best Costume Design.

Praise has been heaped upon the series from all quarter, with one viewer writing on IMDB: “This is an excellent adaptation of a fine novel. It is always a pleasure to see Dickens´s novels successfully made into films or TV series, and this version of Martin Chuzzlewit is without question the best adaptation of a Dickens novel that I have seen.

“The cast of this TV production of Martin Chuzzlewit manages to make a number of the characters even more fascinating than they are in the book. All the actors and actresses in this TV-series are good; many of them are brilliant. I really cannot recommend this TV-series enough. People with a taste for Dickens can see it many times and still feel rewarded.”

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Viewers can’t get enough of the ‘outstanding’ Charles Dickens period drama adaptation(Image: BBC)

Another fan of the series said: “I was absolutely stunned by this BBC-miniseries: it’s almost perfect in every way. It succeeded in producing the exact atmosphere of Dickens’ novel as I recall it, with all the fine irony, the dark and the good sides of human nature, the description of the beautiful countryside as well as the ugly corners of the big city, the sumptuous costumes, I could go on and on, everything seemed to be in perfect place and exactly right. I give this production a heartfelt 10 out of 10.”

While one audience review of the show posted to IMDB states: “This 1994 adaptation is fabulous in all areas, one of the best Dickens adaptations of the past 25 years. The production values are splendidly evocative, not too bleak or too squeaky clean, and the adaptation is shot with natural skill.

“The dialogue is very Dickenesian, with its fair share of funny and affecting parts, while the story will leave some things out, it is compelling and faithful in spirit and style to Dickens, respecting his work rather than disregarding it. The pace is just right, the drama is given time to breathe but there’s no signs of tedium, while as to hope from a Dickens adaptation the characterisations are rich. All in all, an underrated book given classic treatment. 10/10”

Martin Chuzzlewit is available to buy on Amazon Prime Video.

SOURCE: WALESONLINE