The Personal History of David Copperfield (2020): Cast & Ratings
The Personal History of David Copperfield is a 2020 comedy drama directed by Armando Iannucci, starring Dev Patel as David Copperfield, Morfydd Clark and Gwendoline Christie. It is partly based on David Copperfield by Charles Dickens and Jeremy Tambling. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes and earned $14.4 million worldwide on a $15.6 million budget. It earned 5 award nominations, including Best Costume Design at the Critics' Choice 2021. Critics gave it 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 59m (119 min)
- Director
- Armando Iannucci
- Original language
-
English - Budget
- $15.6M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Personal History of David Copperfield About?
The premise of The Personal History of David Copperfield without spoilers, adapted from David Copperfield by Charles Dickens and Jeremy Tambling. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
This is a fresh and vibrant adaptation of Charles Dickens’ beloved novel, following the journey of David Copperfield. The story explores his life from childhood adversity and humble beginnings through to achieving literary success. A diverse cast brings new energy to the classic narrative, set against the backdrop of Victorian England. Filled with wit and heart, the film offers a compelling look at David’s personal growth and triumphs.
The Personal History of David Copperfield Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- writer
- orphan
- poverty
- david copperfield character
- 1800s
- london england
- schizophrenic
- poor boy
- cruel stepfather
- death of mother
- based on true story
- based on novel
+38 more Show fewer
- child labor
- aunt nephew relationship
- younger version of character
- flying a kite
- directed by co writer
- first person narration
- country home
- subjective camera
- left handed
- great yarmouth england
- boat house
- rocky beach
- engaged couple
- whipping a child
- factory worker
- hiding from a creditor
- husband wife relationship
- concertina
- bankruptcy
- dover england
- boys' boarding school
- school mate
- storyteller
- blackmail
- proctor
- drunkenness
- sea shanty
- elopement
- embezzlement
- shipwreck
- drowning
- death of schoolmate
- reading by author
- auditorium
- marriage
- first born
- donkey
- falling in love
The Personal History of David Copperfield Cast & Characters
Dev Patel leads the cast as David Copperfield, with Morfydd Clark as Clara Copperfield, Dora Spenlow and Gwendoline Christie as Jane Murdstone. Directed by Armando Iannucci; 17 actors are credited in all.
- Director Armando Iannucci
-
Dev Patel as David Copperfield -
Morfydd Clark as Clara Copperfield, Dora Spenlow -
Gwendoline Christie as Jane Murdstone -
Tilda Swinton as Betsey Trotwood
Also Starring in The Personal History of David Copperfield
· 13 more- Rosalind Eleazar Agnes
- Aneurin Barnard Steerforth
- Peter Capaldi Mr Micawber
- Hugh Laurie Mr Dick
- Ben Whishaw
- Benedict Wong
- Nikki Amuka Bird
- Fisayo Akinade Markham
- Nigel Betts Creditor
- Tuwaine Barrett Referee Boy
- Sophie McShera
- Albie Atkinson Mealy Potatoes
- Anna Maxwell-Martin
More from Armando Iannucci
More films directed by Armando Iannucci, best-rated first: The Death of Stalin, In the Loop, The Personal History of David Copperfield and Spinners and Losers.
The Personal History of David Copperfield Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Personal History of David Copperfield 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 76/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (60).
The Personal History of David Copperfield Echo Score Breakdown
As an energetic and visually striking adaptation, the film captivates with its enthusiastic approach to Dickens but sometimes sacrifices narrative depth. Drawing on user and critic remarks about colorful design, whimsical tone, and strong performances, the film’s lively posture is tempered by uneven pacing and superficial treatment of dramatic themes. The editing’s briskness yields both playful momentum and occasional abruptness. Ultimately, the film offers an affectionate and entertaining take on the source material, though it may feel unbalanced in its handling of emotional complexity.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 85
In terms of art and craft, the film excels in its vibrant production design and inventive direction. Critics highlight the colorful sets, imaginative staging, and dynamic camera work that bring Victorian settings to life with modern flair. Some notice that rapid editing occasionally undercuts scene transitions, but the overall visual cohesion remains engaging. The polished aesthetic and playful design choices leave a lasting impression of creative artistry.
- Character & Emotion 75
When it comes to character and emotion, performances are broadly engaging though emotional resonance varies. Dev Patel and supporting cast deliver nuanced portrayals that infuse humor and warmth, resonating in moments of genuine connection. Yet the film’s brisk plotting sometimes undercuts character development, limiting deeper empathy. Still, the cast’s charisma and committed delivery maintain audience interest and convey the story’s heartfelt intentions.
- Story & Flow 60
Regarding story and flow, critics and users note the film’s playful pacing drives momentum but yields occasional fragmentation. The adaptation captures the novel’s episodic structure with brisk scene shifts that sustain engagement at times yet also produce uneven transitions. Some reviewers find the narrative rushes through pivotal emotional beats, reducing dramatic tension. The result is an original yet slightly disjointed storytelling approach that blends charm with uneven pacing.
- Sensory Experience 80
In terms of sensory experience, the film offers a vibrant visual style and cohesive sound design that complement its energetic tone. Reviewers praise the colorful cinematography and modern editing rhythms, noting that musical cues accentuate key emotional moments. Although the soundtrack occasionally feels understated, the audio-visual blend supports the playful atmosphere. Overall, the sensory elements create an engaging environment that reinforces the film’s spirited approach.
- Rewatch Factor 70
When considering rewatch value, the film’s lively charm invites repeat viewings but its uneven pacing may limit lasting appeal. Users celebrate its whimsical humor and bright visuals, suggesting subsequent watches reveal nuanced performances and design details. However, the brisk narrative flow and episodic structure can diminish overall cohesion, making some segments less rewarding on return. Thus, while the film holds allure, its unpredictable rhythm might temper enthusiasm for multiple screenings.
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IMDb 6.4 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 92% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 54%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 77 Metascore
User score 5.1
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 64% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.4 /5
139 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 2.3 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Personal History of David Copperfield Plot Summary
What happens in The Personal History of David Copperfield from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
David Copperfield, born to his mother Clara, who was left a widow before his arrival, enjoys a blissful childhood. He often visits the boathouse of his nanny Peggotty in Yarmouth. However, his life takes a dark turn when Clara marries the cruel Mr. Murdstone, bringing with him a harsh environment filled with bullying and torment. When Mr. Murdstone mistreats Clara, young David attempts to defend her but is instead met with violence and sent to labor in Murdstone’s factory in London. There, David lodges with the impoverished Micawber family, who are constantly pursued by their creditors.
Full summary
The whole story of The Personal History of David Copperfield, scene by scene
The Personal History of David Copperfield Box Office & Budget
The Personal History of David Copperfield grossed $14.4 million worldwide on a $15.6 million budget, 92% of what it cost. $1.9 million came from the US and Canada and $12.5 million (87%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$14.4M
92% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $1.9M
- International
- $12.5M
- Budget
- $15.6M
The Personal History of David Copperfield Awards & Nominations
The Personal History of David Copperfield earned 5 award nominations, including Best Costume Design at the Critics' Choice 2021. The 5 nominations come from 4 ceremonies, the most at the Critics' Choice 2021.
5 nominations4 ceremonies
-
Critics' Choice 2021 2 nominations- Nominated Best Costume Design
- Nominated Best Production Design
-
Artios Awards 2021 1 nomination- Nominated Studio or Independent – Comedy
-
Golden Globes 2021 1 nomination- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Actor) – Dev Patel
-
BAFTA 2020 1 nomination- Nominated Best Casting
The Personal History of David Copperfield Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 2 trailers, 1 clip and 2 featurettes.
- Trailer THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD | Official Trailer | Searchlight Pictures
- Clip THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD | “I Like To Pretend He Speaks” Clip | Searchlight
- Featurette Dev Patel & Armando Iannucci on The Personal History of David Copperfield | Film4 Interview Special
- Featurette LIVING ROOM Q&As: The Personal History of David Copperfield with Armando Iannucci & Nikki Amuka-Bird
How Well Do You Know The Personal History of David Copperfield?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of David Copperfield's cruel stepfather?
The Personal History of David Copperfield Also Known As
38 alternative titles, including “Lična Istorija Davida Koperfilda” and “David Copperfieldi isiklik elulugu”.
- Also known as
-
- Lična Istorija Davida Koperfilda
- David Copperfieldi isiklik elulugu
- ザ・パーソナル・ヒストリー・オブ・デイビッド・コパーフィールド
- Deivido Koperfildo istorija
- David Copperfields äventyr och iakttagelser
- Історія Девіда Копперфілда
- David Copperfields personlige historie
- Особиста історія Девіда Копперфілда
- A Vida Extraordinária de David Copperfield
- ההיסטוריה האישית של דייויד קופרפילד
- История Дэвида Копперфилда
- L'Histoire personnelle de David Copperfield
+26 more Show fewer
- La vita straordinaria di David Copperfield
- La increíble historia de David Copperfield
- A História Pessoal de David Copperfield
- 大卫·科波菲尔的个人史
- 더 퍼스널 히스토리 오브 데이빗 코퍼필드
- Cuộc Đời Của David Copperfield, დევიდ კოპერფილდის პირადი ისტორია
- 狄更斯之塊肉餘生記
- Изванредан живот Давида Коперфилда
- David Copperfield'ın Çok Kişisel Hikayesi
- Ο Διαφορετικός Κύριος Κόπερφιλντ
- Lumea magică a lui David Copperfield
- La historia de David Copperfield
- David Copperfieldin elämä ja teot
- David Copperfield - Einmal Reichtum und zurück
- Kouzelný svět Davida Copperfielda
- David Copperfield rendkívüli élete
- どん底作家の人生に幸あれ!
- ההיסטוריה האישית של דיוויד קופרפילד
- Magiczny świat Davida Copperfielda
- La vie de David Copperfield
- Deivida Koperfīlda dzīvesstāsts
- La increïble història de David Copperfield
- Povijest Davida Copperfielda
- David Copperfield – Einmal Reichtum und zurück
- Osebna zgodovina Davida Copperfielda
- Čarovný svet Davida Copperfielda
Seen The Personal History of David Copperfield?
Movies Like The Personal History of David Copperfield
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including David Copperfield, David Copperfield and David Copperfield.
The Personal History of David Copperfield FAQ: Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of The Personal History of David Copperfield, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Personal History of David Copperfield?
The Personal History of David Copperfield runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).
When was The Personal History of David Copperfield released?
The Personal History of David Copperfield was released on August 28, 2020.
Who directed The Personal History of David Copperfield?
The Personal History of David Copperfield was directed by Armando Iannucci.
More films by Armando Iannucci Who is in the cast of The Personal History of David Copperfield?
The Personal History of David Copperfield stars Dev Patel as David Copperfield, Morfydd Clark as Clara Copperfield, Dora Spenlow and Gwendoline Christie as Jane Murdstone, among 17 credited actors.
How much did The Personal History of David Copperfield make at the box office?
The Personal History of David Copperfield grossed $14.4 million worldwide ($1.9 million domestic, $12.5 million international) on a budget of $15.6 million.
How is The Personal History of David Copperfield rated?
The Personal History of David Copperfield has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 77 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.
Is The Personal History of David Copperfield based on a book?
Yes. The Personal History of David Copperfield is partly adapted from David Copperfield by Charles Dickens and Jeremy Tambling.
Was The Personal History of David Copperfield nominated for any awards?
The Personal History of David Copperfield received 5 nominations across 4 ceremonies.
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