EXXON MOBIL MASTERPIECE THEATRE: DAVID COPPERFIELD {EPISODE 1} (TV)
Summary
One in this ongoing series of dramas presented under the umbrella of "Masterpiece Theatre." This program presents part one of a two-part adaptation of Charles Dickens's "David Copperfield," the bildungsroman of "half an orphan" who encounters some of the most memorable characters in literature. First, Russell Baker introduces the presentation. The story begins with David's famous narration as the funeral procession for his father enters the cemetery at Blunderstone, Suffolk. Three months later, the pregnant Clara Copperfield receives a strange visit from Betsey Trotwood, her dead husband's sister, who predicts that Clara is soon to give birth to a girl. Betsey is horrified when Clara gives birth to a boy -- David Copperfield -- and storms out of their lives, seemingly for good. David's early years are spent happily, taken care of by his mother and her servant Peggotty. One day, David meets his mother's new suitor, Mr. Murdstone, a man he immediately dislikes. Peggotty later takes David to Yarmouth to meet her brother Dan, his nephew Ham, his niece "Little Emily," and family friend Mrs. Gummidge. In Yarmouth, David learns about all the deaths surrounding the lower-class family. David immediately forms a bond with Emily, whose words "haunt" him over the years. Delighted by his new friends, David doesn't look forward to returning home. When he finally does, he finds his mother now married to Murdstone, a concept he finds loathsome.
Murdstone, a strong disciplinarian, quickly takes control over the family's life and is joined by his equally cruel sister. Together, the Murdstones rule the house and its occupants. One day, Murdstone flogs David for falling behind in his Latin studies and he is later put in solitary confinement for seven days and seven nights, spending his time reading. Soon after, David is sent to boarding school in London, meeting the vile headmaster Mr. Creakle and getting severely punished for having bitten his stepfather. David also meets Steerforth, an older classmate who holds his money and teaches him how to survive. David quickly bonds with Steerforth but still faces much strife at school. During the holidays, David finally returns home, finding that his mother has given birth. David also passes along a marriage proposal from the cart rider Mr. Barkis to Peggotty. After the holidays, David returns to boarding school. Almost immediately, Creakle informs David that his mother and young half-brother have died. David returns home for the funeral and watches as Peggotty is relieved of her services. David is sent away to London where he works in a filthy blacking factory. He also meets the friendly and eccentric Wilkins Micawber, rooming with him and his family. He soon learns that Micawber has severe financial problems and is being pursued by debt collectors. Micawber gives David some spoons and takes him to the pawnbroker's, where David displays a "precocious grasp of commerce."
Eventually, however, increasing misfortunes leads to Micawber being taken to debtor's prison. David visits Micawber in prison daily while attempting to help his family. One day, Micawber's debt is finally settled and he chooses to leave London and heads to Plymouth. With David now homeless, he is forced to search out his Aunt Trotwood in Dover, making the complete journey on foot after having been robbed of all his money. He eventually reaches Trotwood's estate, where the stunned woman ultimately takes David in as a boarder. After being scrubbed clean, David learns about his aunt's life and meets another of her lodgers, the bizarre Mr. Dick. David forges a relationship with Dick, but wonders if the man is mad.
After Trotwood writes to the Murdstones of David's whereabouts, they visit and inform Trotwood of David being the "worst boy" in the world before trying to reclaim him. Trotwood lays into the Murdstones for their cruel treatment of David before eventually agreeing to become David's legal guardian and giving him the unofficial name of "Trotwood Copperfield." David resumes his education in Canterbury, lodging with Trotwood's old friend Mr. Wickfield and his young daughter Agnes. He also meets Uriah Heep, Wickfield's "humble" clerk. Enjoying his new life of wealth while befriended by Agnes, David soon forgets about his past life of misery as he becomes a young man. Finally, as part one ends, David leaves the Wickfields to set out on his own and find his place in the world.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: April 16, 2000 Sunday 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:26:46
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:64190
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: She Made It Collection (Rebecca Eaton)
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1971-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Rebecca Eaton … Executive Producer
- Jane Tranter … Executive Producer
- Paul Jackson … Executive Producer
- Steven Ashley … Senior Producer
- Kate Harwood … Producer
- Katrine Dudley … Associate Producer
- Simon Curtis … Director
- Adrian Hodges … Writer
- Charles Dickens … Based on the novel by
- Rob Lane … Music by
- Russell Baker … Host
- Tom Wilkinson … Narrator
- Emilia Fox … Cast, Clara Copperfield
- Pauline Quirke … Cast, Peggotty
- Maggie Smith … Cast, Betsey Trotwood
- John Normington … Cast, Dr. Chillip
- Daniel Radcliffe … Cast, Young David
- Trevor Eve … Cast, Murdstone
- Michael Elphick … Cast, Barkis
- James Thornton … Cast, Ham Peggotty
- Alun Armstrong … Cast, Dan Peggotty
- Patsy Byrne … Cast, Mrs. Gummidge
- Laura Harling … Cast, Little Emily
- Zoe Wanamaker … Cast, Miss Murdstone
- Jacqueline Tong … Cast, Lady in Coach
- Karl Johnson … Cast, Tungay
- Ian McKellen … Cast, Creakle
- Harry Lloyd … Cast, Young Steerforth
- Steve Swinscoe … Cast, Quinion
- Thomas Maher … Cast, Mick
- Bob Hoskins … Cast, Micawber
- Peter Sproule … Cast, Bootmaker
- Imelda Staunton … Cast, Mrs. Micawber
- Paul Whitehouse … Cast, Pawnbroker
- Brian Abbott … Cast, Constable
- Jake Nightingale … Cast, Tinker
- Emily McKenzie … Cast, Janet
- Ian McNeice … Cast, Mr. Dick
- Nicholas Lyndhurst … Cast, Uriah Heep
- Oliver Ford Davies … Cast, Mr. Wickfield
- Antonia Corrigan … Cast, Young Agnes
- Amanda Ryan … Cast, Agnes Wickfield
- Ciaran McMenamin … Cast, David Copperfield