Dickensblog

Contact

Goodies on DVD and Blu-ray

Categories: , , , ,

BBC Video has released a new "Special Edition" of the Bleak House miniseries on both DVD and Blu-ray. DVDTalk has a nice thorough review here. Their verdict: "While BBC's new DVD isn't exactly jaw-dropping, it's surely an upgrade from the previous, feature-less edition. If you don't already own Bleak House, this is the edition to get. If you do, the extras may not be worth the double-dip unless you're a big fan." And Blu-ray.com also has a detailed review here, complete with screenshots. 

In related news, as Deleilan mentioned, there's a new Charles Dickens Masterworks Collection on DVD that includes Oliver Twist, The Old Curiosity Shop, Little Dorrit (the versions we saw on PBS), Great Expectations (1999), and Bleak House. Reviews are here and here.

Finally, I ran across this message board post (scroll down to the post that begins "The DVD contains quite a bit more than the American broadcast") that details several of the scenes from Little Dorrit that were cut from the PBS airing — and from my review copy. I'll have to get the full set after all. Thank heaven my sister just gave me a gift card. Thanks to the poster for filling us in (and also for linking to us in another post!).

And if you already have the set and have seen the cut scenes, a review would be most welcome!

Responses

  1. Marian Avatar
    Marian

    Too bad they didn’t include those cut Little Dorrit scenes! At least it’s something extra to look forward to when it’s time to re-watch, though.
    I really like that version of Bleak House, too.

    Reply
  2. blbarnitz Avatar
    blbarnitz

    Thanks for including a link to our forum conversation on Little Dorrit. The PBS broadcast cut many short, and in some instances, extended scenes from the production. You will have to view or purchase the DVD in order to see the complete version of the story. Here are most of the cut scenes. I am not sure if I caught all of them.
    1. An extension of the scenes where John Chivery prepares for his proposal with Amy and again when he returns to the Marshalsea after Amy has refused him. He gives us his first epitaphs.
    2. The crackling Mrs. Merdle-Fanny interview is extended, with more parrot interruptions and venomous class snobbery and insults from Mrs. Merdle. There is an additional added short scene between Mrs. Merdle and Sparkler, in which she informs him that Fanny has ditched him.
    3. At the conclusion of the first Merdle dinner, the doctor and Bar have a discussion about Mr. Merdle, in which they take note of Mr. Merdle’s habitual low spirts, lack of any known medical condition, and finish up by stating they would not trade places with Mr. Merdle in spite of his millions.
    4. Soon after Arthur finds out about Pet accepting Henry Gowan’s marriage proposal, there is an outdoor scene where he is standing behind a seated Mr. and Mrs. Meagles (they look like they are not that happy about the marriage). Pet and Gowen are playing on the pianoforte. Arthur appears quite distressed.
    5. Henry Gowan visits Arthur in his lodgings after the marriage proposal to Pet and discusses with him about how life and marriages could be like a “sham”. He then asks Arthur if he would accept being his best man in the wedding. Arthur accepts.
    6. A short scene with Mr. Pancks showing him poring over voluminous records from his Dorrit investigations.
    7. A brief extension of the scene where Flora and Aunt F visit Arthur at Doyce and Clennam. Flora blurts out that her Father is a rapacious money-grubbing landlord.
    8. Right after Arthur tells Amy about the Dorrit fortune news, there is a scene as they both walk together towards Mr. Dorrit’s prison room and Mr. Chivery and John, who are seated on the bench outside, make a comment that something must be up upon seeing the two of them walking together.
    9. When Amy goes to talk to Pet who is resting after her fainting spell, the Gowan’s dog growls when Amy and Pet are talking and Pet tells the dog to shush. The dog appeared to be upset about something. As Amy exits the room, she is confronted by Rigaud, who insists that he escort her back downstairs. Rigaud takes her back to her father and they sit down and have a small chat. Rigaud gives a patronizing comment to Mr. Dorrit which he happily accepts. Mr. Dorrit then says goodnight to Rigaud as they go to retire.
    10. A brief extension of the Mrs. Gowen-Meagles interview, with Mrs. Gowen stating that the different social classes will never be able to agree on anything. She then asks Arthur to escort her to her carriage.
    11. After Mrs. General chastises Amy for conversing with common men in Venice, there is an extended scene in which Mrs. General attempts to teach Amy how to properly engage in social conversation.
    12.The Arthur-Amy street meeting is set up somewhat differently in the DVD, as Arthur’s walk from Mrs. Clennom’s house is slightly extended, and there are additional cuts to Amy as Arthur ascends the stairs and notices, and then recognizes her form.

    Reply
  3. christopher harris Avatar
    christopher harris

    Well, this clinches the deal; I must buy the Dickens set now. Thanks for the detailed update, “blbarnitz”!

    Reply
  4. Gina Avatar
    Gina

    Just to clarify: You don’t have to buy the Masterworks Collection to get the complete version of “Little Dorrit.” The stand-alone “Little Dorrit” DVD set is the complete version. I’m not sure if I was clear about that.
    And thank you, blbarnitz, for that list!

    Reply
  5. blbarnitz Avatar
    blbarnitz

    Two more scene extensions (although it is getting harder for me to remember the trimmed PBS broadcast):
    1. After Gowan and Arthur make their departures from the Meagles estate, there is a very brief snippet showing Pet Meagles pivoting back toward the house with glee. My assumption was that she was thrilled about receiving the attentions of two suitors.
    2. In the scene at the theater, where Amy and Fanny discuss their interview with Mrs. Merdle, there is an extension of the scene showing a snippet of Fanny’s on stage performance. (I cannot recall exactly, but the dialogue might also be extended.)

    Reply
  6. blbarnitz Avatar
    blbarnitz

    One additional note. When Mr. Pancks searches the Marshalsea Prison Records for William Dorrit’s entry, the name above Dorrit’s entry is none other than John Dickens (Charles’ father).

    Reply
  7. Gina Avatar
    Gina

    I remember that! Wasn’t it the coolest? 🙂

    Reply
  8. Irene Avatar
    Irene

    Thanks for the comments on the cut scenes! I wish there had been deleted scenes of Amy tiptoeing up to kiss Arthur instead of jumping up and out of character (at least for me compared to the book!).

    Reply
  9. blbarnitz Avatar
    blbarnitz

    One more scene extension:
    As Mr. Meagles and Arthur Clennam leave Miss Wade’s residence after the unsuccessful attempt to convince Tattycoram to return to the Meagles, they have an extended dialogue as they descend the stairs to the street. An angry Mr. Meagles tells Clennam that for the first time in his life he almost struck a women (Miss Wade); to which Arthur replies that Miss Wade surely enjoyed her triumph. Mr. Meagles then hopes that Tattycoram will come to her senses. He states that there is something “unnatural” about Miss Wade.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to GinaCancel reply

Search
Latest Posts
Latest Comments
Post Categories

Discover more from Dickensblog

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading