it is not an easy thing to do Charles Dickens without being tedious, in my opinion. The first few episodes of this are a little bit slow, but once it gets in full swing, it is a great production. The adaptation, the music, the pace, for the most part are excellent. The main exception being Gillian Anderson, who I expected to like, but couldn't. It seems to me that she thinks she is being understated in her stiff, aloof portrayal of lady Dedlock. She succeeds in looking beautiful and being mysterious, but I think it is over-acted. I have never seen someone try so hard to be stoic and restrained, with no appearance of the presence of the emotions that supposedly need to be held back so. It seems to me that stony unsmiling face with a slight pucker of the lips is a default she uses in lieu of any actual acting. I have nothing against her in general, but she has done something similar in both The Fall and x-files, and I think its beginning to be a gimmicky aloofness that doesn't always work. The other characters are superbly cast and well acted.

I managed to obtain the DVD Blu-ray collection - tremendous casting, brilliant set-design, wonderful extra features (particularly the interviews), fabulous make-up and costumes. Only the Brits can pull off a 'period' piece such as this one, with everyone in the acting crew contributing amazing performances, no matter how small. Worthy of special note is the work of 'Charles Dance' as the grim Mr Tulkinghorn, 'Denis Lawson' (caught our eye in the old 'Local Hero' flick) as the affable Mr Jarndyce, 'Gillian Anderson' as the tragic Lady Dedlock, and 'Philip Davis' as the grotesque, psychopathic moneylender, Mr Smallweed.In addition to the above, the sound-editing and camera angles help create the dark under-currents and suspense in this presentation of the brilliant Dickens novel, outlining the frustration of the old Chauncery court system which plagued the Brits for decades.'Alun Armstrong' (of 'New Tricks' fame) also shows his versatility as a detective from another era (I believe the first true 'detective' in English literature). enjoy.

From the opening scene to the last moment, this was delicious! Pity that I get my classics on TV instead of reading the book, but this leaves me wanting to attempt Dickens.So dark, but hilarious at once. Excellent names - Lady Dedlock, John Jarndyce (and the case of Jarndyce vs Jarndyce), Mr. Guppy, Mr. Tulkinghorn, Smallweed, Phil Squod, Caddy Turveydrop, Bucket, Charley Neckett... each so evocative before you even meet them, and after seeing this series, each leaps to mind in full character instantly.And the name Bleak House, at first so repulsive, now makes me want to whisper, "Bleak... bleak!" the moment I hear the theme music.Casting, script, production design, lighting - all are perfect. So happy this is available at my public library. I've watched it twice, and I'm eager to enter this world again, though I wouldn't want to live there.Bleak!

Acting is good. Sets, costumes, etc., are good. Mood is spot-on Dickens. BUT...the directing makes me crazy. It's like "Bleak House Meets Lord of the Rings."Shaky-cam shots, wild zooms, synthesizer swooshes and whams, over-the-top digital colorization. This story doesn't need all that sci-fi/fantasy production value, and in my opinion, it damages the series.When style gets in the way of content, it takes away from the story, and regrettably, that's what I feel happens in this adaptation. I really hope directors will step back from this new faddish style, which everybody is copying now, and get back to good storytelling.