This comprehensive DVD set explores the life, times and work of Charles Dickens, the great Victorian author. Dickens is undoubtedly one of the great literary geniuses of all time. Yet, there is much about Dickens' incredible life that remains unknown. His is a fascinating story; from rags to riches, complete with bankruptcy, prison, forced child labour and fame and fortune, overshadowed by guilt and secrecy. This DVD set demonstrates how much Dickens drew upon his own experiences in his fiction. 


DISC 1 
'Uncovering the Real Dickens', presented by Peter Ackroyd, resembles the plot of one of Dickens' own novels. An innovative mix of documentary and dramatic reconstruction vividly recreates the author's extraordinary life. The cast includes Anton Lesser, Prunella Scales and Timothy West. This lavish literary production sets out to blur the lines between Dickens' fiction and his own life. 

DISC 2 
The classic 1999 BBC version of 'David Copperfield', starring Michael Elphick and a cast which includes Trevor Eve, Maggie Smith, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Pauline Quirke's Three hours of classic drama heaven. 

DISC 3 
- 'A Christmas Carol' At Dickens' house a group of his friends and relatives attend a public reading of the classic Christmas story by the novelist himself. Anton Lesser, remarkable as Dickens, brings this classic ghost story to life. 
- In 'Songs from Grope Lane', the 12-year old Dickens escapes his miserable daily life and the blacking factory in a brief spell of raucous tavern entertainment. Lucy Skeaping performs deliciously seedy pub-songs from London in the mid 19th century. * 
- The making of 'Uncovering the Real Dickens' - a surprising look behind the scenes of this evocative production.