Watch David Copperfield For Free

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Why ruin a wonderful story with trashy casting and dreadful direction. Mr Micawber is a "character" not someone pretending to be an actor trying to be funny. When I saw Eileen Atkins name in the titles I thought she would be playing Betsy Trotwood. Oh dear! I wonder if any of the production team have read the book or even seen the original 1935 version of the film or indeed any of the later versions. Freddie Jones as Barkis was excellent and I also enjoyed Emily Hamilton's performance as Agnes Wickfield. Why the introduction of the Murdstones throughout the film ? Was it put in so that Mr. Murdstone got his "come-uppance" ? He certainly deserved a far more drastic one than he got which was nothing more than a weak ticking off. Overturning a table laden with cakes did not lend the scene any extra gravitas. Don't waste your time on this film unless, like me, you want to be very disappointed.

Directed with skills, excellent props but it's a shabby look-alike of, well... the 'David Copperfield' produced in 1999. Even the Emmy Awards says it so: 1 nomination for this film comparing to the '99 movie with 1 award and 3 nominations. Now let's talk about the cast: Sally Field played brilliantly & Michael Richards did his part in great style unlike the young Max Dolbey. Absolutely no feeling in role. Like going to the market and to buy tomatoes. My guess is that the '99 movie inspired someone and he wanted to do the same thing again hoping for the same success. Their greatest mistake is that an American thought that he could do a picture after an English book with no British help because everything in it is English, a different culture from the American one. To understand Charles Dickens and create a masterpiece after his works you must be at least partially British. In the 1999 'David Copperfield' Simon Curtis had the help of some great actors: Maggie Smith for Aunt Betsey Trotwood, Bob Hoskins for Mr. Wilkins Micawber and Ian McKellen for Mr. Creakle. This motion picture is good, nevertheless it is inferior to its British 'sister'. Watch it, but you won't be transposed in to the Dickens universe.

I disagree with the earlier comments on this adaptation. As a matter of fact, I very much enjoyed this version of Dickens' famous novel! Charismatic and handsome Hugh Dancy turns in a warm and sensitive portrayal of David Copperfield. Sally Field and Michael Richards are memorable and over-the-top performances as quirky Betsy Trotwood and funny, good-hearted Mr. Micawber.This adaptation came in the heels of the Ciaran McMenamin and Bob Hoskins version but deserves our attention as well. It is at times funny and light but also gives us an insight into the dark side of human nature, most especially through Anthony Andrews' cold, brutal Mr. Murdstone and Frank MacCusker's creepy Uriah Heep. Hats off to Hugh Dancy for giving us a David that we can emphatize with and admire. I highly recommend it!

This marvelously cohesive version of 'David Copperfield' takes Dickens' 900 page answer to 'War and Peace' and delivers up what must be called an improved edition of the original story. (Mr. Dickens was apparently paid by the pound for his manuscripts.)The youthful David Copperfield, like his sweet mother, is a naively poor judge of human nature. During his voyage through a sea of arch and eccentric characters, he matures in both his discernment and assertiveness, arriving at manhood by finally confronting a wicked character from his past. The adult David, played by Hugh Dancy, is a fairly passive soul throughout most of his namesake novel, but his role as narrator in this production is enormously helpful in illuminating both the character and the story.Sally Field and Michael Richards are the familiar American faces in a cast packed full of fine British character actors. Field is crusty and endearing as Betsy Trotwood, the one thread of continuity in David's life. Richards (of 'Seinfeld' fame) is the quintessential Mr. Micawber--manic and outrageous, and ideally costumed for his `all arms and legs' performance.The sets, locations and cinematography deserve high praise as well.If you've ever passed out trying to read Dickens, take heart. This excellent production paints vivid scenes and develops memorable characters. Congratulations to director Peter Medak, screenwriter John Goldsmith and everyone whose work helped turn this behemoth novel into a manageable and entertaining story.