ellenmeilee This adaptation is outstanding - for me, it is on a par with the BBC's Pride and Prejudice (which has to be one of the best TV adaptations of all time), albeit a much darker and sadder tale.I hadn't read the book and didn't know what to expect, but from the first episode was completely addicted and had to stop myself from watching all 15 episodes on one go.Gillian Anderson is perfect as the brittle Honoria - her performance brought a tear to my eye on many occasions. In fact, the whole cast cannot be faulted. Each frame of each episode is stunning - the costume and set designers deserve massive praise for such a beautifully realised vision. Charles Dance is also particularly compelling, as is Anna Maxwell Martin as Esther and Denis Lawson as Jarndyce.I also loved the theme music.It really does feel so right to be watching this excellent drama at this cold and dark time of year. Watch it as soon as you can!

drarthurwells Nearly all aspects of the production of 'Bleak House' (2005) are first rate - direction, casting, sets and costumes, cinematography, acting, organization and pacing of the storyline. The musical accompaniment is quite good. You will never find a better group of acting performances in any single cinematic work - many of the characterizations, such as Burn Gorman's performance as Guppy and Charles Dance's as Tulkinghorn, are simply priceless and unequaled. Martin as Esther and Mulligan as Ada, the two young girls at the center of the story, give wonderful performances.The first parts give the foundation of the story which becomes most engrossing in the second half. The viewer should have patience and stick with it beyond the introductory foundation. Those viewers out side of England (or Britain) may require some adaption to the Victorian customs and mode of relating to one another. Once the viewer adopts this mindset the work is more readily appreciated.A realistic glimpse into history as well as thoroughly involving top-rate entertainment.

michaelstep2004 No need to write a long review -- others here say it very well. This version of 'Bleak House' is simply one of the best films ever made.It is the best adaptation of any Dickens work that I can remember, going go back to the wonderful 'A Tale of Two Cities' and 'Great Expectations' of the Golden Age of Hollywood. What is the real core of Dickens' message is highlighted, and the dated dross of sentiment eliminated.Every single aspect of the production is of the highest excellence. There's really nothing more to say. A must-see, if anything is.

Irving Warner You rarely see television OR movie writing this good. "Bleak House" was a landmark transfer of a Dickens novel to the small screen. It must have really suffered, i.e. all sliced up in short episodes; therefore, I consider myself lucky indeed to have seen it on DVD. I was able to let it roll for long-time periods. And I did! The production design, costumes, and things related are outstanding; the photography was also superior. But it is the writing and the acting, when put together, that enabled "Bleak House" to rise way above most other television and screen work. The positive characters are your usual Dickens characters, almost too good to be believed, but writer Andrew Davis handled that very well. It was the rich assortment of villains,e.g. human ragbags, diverse lowlifes -- along with some outright criminals-- that just overwhelmed me. Special mention must be given to Charles Dance (Mr. Tulkington), Philip Davis (Smallweed), Burn Gorman (Guppy) and Nathaniel Parker (Skimpole) for assembling into one of the greatest most repugnant, morally reprehensible group of humans that ever populated a single television or movie production. This, once again, proved that a drama is only as good as its villains! Boy, the television adaption of "Bleak House" went a long ways to prove that. Hats off to this wonderful creative drama.