The DVD Review 

NICHOLAS NICKLEBY  

Released by Acorn Media UK. Out now to buy.  

A recent (2000) period drama based on one of Charles Dicken’s most loved novels, heavily based on the author’s own life James D’Arcy stars as the titular Nicholas, who along with his sister Kate (Sophia Myles) is forced to go and live with their evil uncle Ralph Nickleby (played by the always watchable Charles Dance who seems to be making a career out of villains these days) following the death of their father.  Nicholas soon sees a way out by training to become a school teacher under the tutelage of Mr Squeers only to find the school little more than a workhouse where the pupils are bullied mercilessly, he takes under his wing the boy Smike (Lee Ingleby) and is later forced to flee to London meanwhile his sister Kate attempts to become a dressmaker but finds the devious Uncle Ralph has a sinister plan for her.

Very well realised and with a script by Martyn Edward Hesford that sticks closely to the source material Nicholas Nickleby is a treat, from it’s fine period outlook to the quality cast that also includes the brilliant Gregor Fisher, Pam Ferris, Diana Kent, Tom Hollander and Liz Smith.

EXTRAS: Cast filmographies, info on Dickens and a photo gallery.