The Old Curiosity Shop (2007 film)

The Old Curiosity Shop is a British television film adapted from the Charles Dickens's 1841 novel The Old Curiosity Shop.^[1] It stars Irish actress Sophie Vavasseur as Nell Trent, with Derek Jacobi as her grandfather, Toby Jones as Quilp and George MacKay as Nell's friend, Kit.^[2] It was broadcast on 26 December 2007 on ITV. The adaptation is in general very faithful to the novel. The most significant changes are the removal of the Garlands and their household and the identity of the Single Gentleman (here called Jacob) who is changed from Grandfather's brother to his estranged son and Nell's father.

The Old Curiosity Shop
Based on	The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens
Written by	Martyn Hesford
Directed by	Brian Percival
Starring	Derek Jacobi Sophie Vavasseur Toby Jones
Theme music composer	Stephen McKeon
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Original language	English
Production
Producer	Andrew Benson
Cinematography	Peter Greenhalgh
Running time	120 min.
Production company	Carnival Films
Original release
Network	ITV
Release	26 December 2007 (2007-12-26)

Cast

• Adrian Rawlins as Jacob
• Derek Jacobi as Grandfather
• Zoë Wanamaker as Mrs Jarley
• Toby Jones as Quilp
• Adam Godley as Sampson Brass
• Gina McKee as Sally Brass
• Bryan Dick as Freddie Trent
• Sophie Vavasseur as Nell Trent
• George MacKay as Kit Nubbles
• Steve Pemberton as Mr Short
• Martin Freeman ... Mr Codlin
• Josie Lawrence as Mrs Jiniwin
• Bradley Walsh as Mr Liggers
• Anna Madeley as Betsey Quilp
• Geoff Breton as Dick Swiveller
• Charlene McKenna as The Marchioness
• Kelly Campbell as Mrs Nubbles
• Katie Dunne as Baby Nubbles
• Philip Noone as Rodney (Rogue Trader)

Critical reception

The Hollywood Reporter noted "a sorrowful story of greed, poverty and grief, and ITV's version makes the most of it...Writer Martyn Hesford keeps the story tidy, while director Brian Percival moves things along while helping his cast to resist the temptation to be overly Dickensian...Jacobi finds some vinegar in what could easily be a sweet old man, and Jones gives some shading to Quilp's villainy. Stephen McKeon's versatile score helps considerably."^[3] The Guardian wrote "Toby Jones, as the revolting Daniel Quilp, steals just about anything he can get his hands on, including the show."^[4]

References

1. Shannon, Sarah How ITV aims to lure viewers with quality drama Archived 12 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine, The Independent (7 February 2007)
2. "The Old Curiosity Shop (2007)". BFI. Archived from the original on 10 March 2017.
3. "The Old Curiosity Shop". The Hollywood Reporter. 22 December 2007.
4. "Christmas TV: from The Comedy Christmas to The Old Curiosity Shop". the Guardian. 27 December 2007.

External links

• The Old Curiosity Shop at IMDb
• The Old Curiosity Shop at pbs.org