David Copperfield

DIRECTOR:

Delbert Mann

STARRING:

Richard Attenborough as Mr. Tungay; Cyril Cusack as Barkis; Edith Evans as Aunt Betsy Trotwood; Pamela Franklin as Dora Spenlow;

PLOT:

Whether “David Copperfield” is a hero; the story must show. Told in flashback; David’s youth starts as a weak child befriended by the captivating James Steerforth (Corin Redgrave) at school where the boy is tormented by the likes of Mr. Creakle (Laurence Olivier) and Mr. Tungay (Richard Attenborough). Growing up; the boy meets his great Aunt Betsy Trotwood (Edith Evans) and Peggotty (Michael Redgrave). Later David (Robin Phillips) has friends like Mr. Micawber (Ralph Richardson) and his wife (Wendy Hiller); but his love is Dora (Pamela Franklin) a weak girl who keeps David from Agnes (Susan Hampshire); the pillar of strength he needs. David seems to be different things to different people; but those he most loves are all weaklings and fade when life becomes tough (his mother; Steerforth; Dora); and only when he realizes his own inner steely strength can he discover whether his own heroic attitude is genuine.