This version gives a new twist on the old story by taking what was a few lines in the book and expanding them over two hours. It's fairly successful, though I can't help thinking some students might think this is what the book is really about. Characters are introduced, changed or expanded, of which the most successful is probably Monks, and the least Agnes. This is not to say that the actors do not try their best.
Generally Bleasdale has retained Dickens dialogue but occasionally he adds his own. Whilst on the whole this works it sometimes jars and seems off-key, not because it is badly written but because it doesn't sound nineteenth century.
My only real complaint is that sometimes the settings don't really look like London, which makes the action difficult to place geographically. However the sets and costume look very good and the music is suitably atmospheric.
Generally Bleasdale has retained Dickens dialogue but occasionally he adds his own. Whilst on the whole this works it sometimes jars and seems off-key, not because it is badly written but because it doesn't sound nineteenth century.
My only real complaint is that sometimes the settings don't really look like London, which makes the action difficult to place geographically. However the sets and costume look very good and the music is suitably atmospheric.