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Mister Quilp (1974)

Director: Michael Tuchner

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1 review

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

'I may be simple-hearted but I think the world is grand' trills winsome Little Nell in the opening minutes of this musical version of The Old Curiosity Shop sponsored by Reader's Digest. Well, the film is terrible: two solid hours of excruciating overacting from Newley as the vile and dwarfish Quilp, phony sets and costumes which look as though they've only just been removed from the wrapping-paper, botched songs (by Newley) and choreography, lackadaisical direction, and lots of good character actors going to waste.

Author: GB

Time Out Film Guide


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User reviews of this film

  • Paul Reeves said...
    Posted on Apr 29 2008 14:51 Newley is marvellous in this much misunderstood rewriting of the Dickens novel. We see things from Quilp's point of view in this adaptation: in the novel he's simply spiteful: in this movie he simply wants his money back-some great comic scenes from Newley, the 'Sport Of Kings' number is one of his best. If anything he steals the show leaving the rest of the cast diluted. Shoddy editing, in an obvious attempt to keep things moving is the downfall.
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