Bleak House

Masterpiece Theater began a reprise presentation of Bleak House yesterday evening. This is one of the best adaptations of a literary work that I have seen. On a level with Brideshead Revisited (also a Masterpiece Theater presentation) and John Huston's film of Joyce's The Dead, this co-production of the BBC conveys the essence of the Dickens novel from the first moment of the film.
The acting is uniformly excellent with standout performances from Gillian Anderson as Lady Dedlock and Anna Maxwell Martin as Esther Summerson. Charles Dance is sinister as the lawyer Tulkinghorn while Richard Griffiths shines in the small role of Mr. Badger. The dramatic suspense will continue for three more Sunday evening performances which I shall plan to view.