David Copperfield1935David Copperfield
1935
Young David Copperfield's happy childhood ends when his mother marries the cruel Mr. Murdstone. Sent off to work in London, he lodges with the hapless Micawbers, then runs away to his eccentric great-aunt Betsey Trotwood.
The default: films the whole family can watch together; any scary or intense moments for the littlest viewers are flagged in the Context Notes.
Why it’s here
Dickens's gallery of the cruel, the comic, and the kind. A boy formed by suffering and rescued by an eccentric aunt's goodness, with W.C. Fields as Micawber.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
Murdstone beats young David and locks him away; the cruelty is clearly wrong and David escapes to a loving aunt. Child labor, poverty, and deaths (including David's mother) may frighten or sadden little ones.
David Copperfield (1935)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- Who was kind to David, and who was cruel?
- Why did David run to his aunt?
- What did you think of Mr. Micawber?
- How was Uriah Heep found out?
Content advisory
WebSearch synthesis (no Common Sense review): Murdstone strikes and whips David and locks him up; poverty and child labor; deaths; no profanity.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
David Copperfield DVD (Warner Archive Collection)
DVD · August 27, 2013
Blu-ray listed on Blu-ray.com (release date unconfirmed)
Edition link coming soon.
Listing on Blu-ray.com (opens in a new tab)Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.