David Copperfield (1966 TV serial)

David Copperfield
Radio Times cover with Christopher Guard
GenrePeriod drama
Based onDavid Copperfield
1850 novel
by Charles Dickens
Screenplay byVincent Tilsley
Directed byJoan Craft
Starring
ComposerJohn Hotchkis
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes13 (9 missing)
Production
ProducerCampbell Logan
Running time25 minutes
Original release
NetworkBBC 1
Release16 January (1966-01-16) –
10 April 1966 (1966-04-10)
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

David Copperfield is a BBC television serial starring Ian McKellen in the title role of the adaptation of Charles Dickens's 1850 novel[1] that began airing in January 1966.[2] It also featured Tina Packer as Dora[3] Flora Robson as Betsey Trotwood,[4] Gordon Gostelow as Barkis,[5] and Christopher Guard as young David.[6] The screenplay adaptation was written by Vincent Tilsley, who had previously helmed the 1956 adaptation almost a decade prior.[7]

It had a viewership of over 12 million for its initial airings.[8] Only four of the serial's thirteen episodes (3, 8, 9 and 11) are known to exist.[9] It is said to be remarkably similar to the 1956 adaptation that preceded it, although that version is now completely lost.

  1. ^ Sid Smith (21 January 1996). "A sly take on history: In his 'Richard III,' McKellen goes for the essential bard". Chicago Tribune. p. C7. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  2. ^ Ben Hewes (23 January 2002). "All the world's a stage for the Burnley actors". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  3. ^ Kevin Kelly (5 January 1992). "Decisions difficult but exhilarating for actress-director". The Boston Globe. p. B31.
  4. ^ "Dickens - David Copperfield". The Bookseller. 22 January 1966. p. 218.
  5. ^ Gavin Gaughan (20 July 2007). "Obituary: Gordon Gostelow: From Shakespeare to classic serials - and a Methodist musical". The Guardian. p. 43. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  6. ^ Films and filming, Volumes 340-351. Hansom Books. 1983. p. 30.
  7. ^ Joanne Shattock (2000). The Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature, Volume 4: 1800-1900. Cambridge University Press. p. 2098. ISBN 0-521-39100-8.
  8. ^ Papers by Command. 23. HMSO: 21. 1966. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ^ "December delights". M2 Presswire. 26 October 1995.