Dickens' most autobiographical hero gets the BBC treatment—wigs, whimsy, and all.
Season 1 • Episode 6
LatestA gravely ill Dora has a special request of Agnes. David is soon a young widower and, unsure how to go forward, decides to go away for awhile. Tommy Traddles arrives with good news for all: thanks to Micawber, Mr Wickfield's situation is resolved though little money is left but Aunt Betsey has her funds returned. Micawber decides to emigrate to Australia, traveling with the Peggottys. Ham is found dead on the beach, having tried to rescue a man during a terrible storm. The man turns out to be Steerforth.
A young man journeys from a difficult childhood to maturity, exploring social injustice, personal development, and the complexities of human relationships. A co-production with Time-Life Television Productions, the miniseries was first broadcast on BBC 1 in weekly parts from 1 December 1974 to 5 January 1975. It is the earliest BBC adaptation to exist in its entirety; the 1956 adaptation is completely lost, whilst only four of the 1966 adaptation's eight episodes are known to exist.
Acting
Seventies theatrical legends chewing period scenery
Production
Surviving complete when its predecessors vanished to time
Creator
Hugh Whitemore
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This 1974 version is television archaeology—the 1956 and 1966 adaptations are partially or completely lost, making this the earliest complete BBC Dickens.
Producer Barry Letts later ran Doctor Who during its golden Tom Baker era—explaining why this feels oddly timey-wimey for Victorian England.
IE
GB
