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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed shows.
Bleak House
EMAILPRINTMINISERIES: PBS, begins Sunday 1/22 at 9:00p
Universal acclaim
Based on 14 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 37 votes
Read user comments
Rate this show >
Show Info
Genre(s): Drama
First Air Date: January 22, 2006
Summary
Starring Anna Maxwell Martin, Patrick Kennedy, Carey Mulligan, Denis Lawson, Nathaniel Parker, Gillian Anderson, Timothy West, and Charles Dance
Masterpiece Theatre tackles the Dickens classic for the second time with this miniseries (adapted by Andrew Davies) airing in six weekly installments.
Episode Guide & More Info: More about this show at TV.com
Also On The Web: Official Show Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Entertainment WeeklyGillian Flynn
Dark, textured, and lively--this is how Dickens is done. [20 Jan 2006, p.66]
USA TodayDennis Moore
While a quintessential Masterpiece Theatre production, Bleak House doesn't indulge in the languid pacing and preciousness that weigh down some other PBS period pieces.
Read Full Review >Wall Street JournalNancy DeWolf Smith
Perhaps the most glorious Masterpiece Theater of all time.
Read Full Review >Philadelphia InquirerJonathan Storm
The perfect marriage of television and literature.
Read Full Review >TimeJames Poniewozik
This is law drama such as Boston Legal's David E. Kelley can only dream about.
Read Full Review >Village VoiceJoy Press
This spectacular six-part adaptation of the lit classic feels more like a plush Jane Austen tale than Dickens.
Read Full Review >TV GuideMatt Roush
The only bleak aspect to this miniseries is that it doesn't last forever.
Hollywood ReporterLaurence Vittes
If there is any criticism to be made, it is that the opening half-hour plunges the unsuspecting viewer into an unfamiliar foreign world of soot and grime and foul deeds and motives. Once settled in, however, this is very addictive television, indeed.
Read Full Review >Chicago TribuneSid Smith
This "Bleak House" is sublimely bleak, as well as richly textured, superbly acted and intermittently funny. Fans of the epic adaptations that have long been the bread and butter of "Masterpiece Theatre" won't want to miss it.
Read Full Review >VarietyBrian Lowry
Those who wade through the slow-going first three or four hours of this stately production will be richly rewarded by the engrossing final four.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this show is 9.5 (out of 10) based on 37 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Brenda gave it a10:
Awesome show! I just wish I could have viewed it in one sitting instead of waiting for more each week. I am buying this on video! (and I only OWN one other film - LOTR-so I"m not into purchasing such things). LOVED IT!
Panos gave it a10:
Superb production, excellent storyline and sturdy direction emphasize the outstanding performances of all actors and especially the formidable Gillian Anderson. It's a shame she didn't get a single award for her work.
Ilana L gave it a10:
amazing! great performances by Anna Maxwell Martin and Gillian Anderson
Evan S gave it a9:
Bleak House is the new crack brought to you by BBC. You won't be able to set this pipe down. What an engrossing, substantial soap opera headlined by Gillian Anderson and the flat-out lovely and amazing Anna Maxwell Martin. Your heart will split wide open for Esther. What a remarkable piece of filmmaking.
Jean U gave it a10:
Nearly as good as "I, Claudius," which is the gold standard.
Anony Mous gave it a10:
Truly wonderful, the best thing I've seen on television in years. I'm depressed that it's over! To the person who rated it a 1: the author is Charles *Dickens* -- not Dickson. I guess I can see why you didn't like it.
Dan C gave it a10:
Superb. If you missed it on PBS, get it on DVD. Esther is an extremely compelling heroine, and the story is top-notch. Bravo to all involved.
