Approved for 12+

The Old Curiosity Shop

No other author in the English language is as adept as Charles Dickens at making characters leap from the pages of his novels, and "The Old Curiosity Shop" is no exception. An intricate tapestry of good and evil, its main character is a kindhearted man who is haunted by the vices within him.

In this splendid new adaptation, Peter Ustinov plays the lovable shopkeeper who lives with his precious granddaughter, Nell, in turn-of-the-century England. The old man had borrowed heavily from his evil landlord, Daniel Quilp. When Quilp discovers the old gentleman has been throwing the money away at the gaming tables, Quilp forecloses on the loans, takes possession of the shop and threatens to have the old man thrown in the madhouse. Nell and her grandfather are forced to flee London.

So begins an epic journey through the English countryside. Nell and her grandfather stay one step ahead of the relentless Quilp, until a mysterious stranger comes to their rescue and helps bring Quilp to an appropriate end.
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Negative Rating
12345
SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
0
Positive Rating
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FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

“The Old Curiosity Shop,” a film based on the story by Charles Dickens, is a wonderfully amusing tale set in old England. This film was enjoyable but drags a bit in a few scenes. The ending also seems rather abrupt as if there is supposed to be a part two to the film. It should be noted that some of the film’s old English dialect makes it difficult to understand what the actors are saying. The themes in the film are a bit more mature as a few of them had a lot to do with money. This film is much better suited for children twelve and above. There are interesting characters in the film, such as little Nell and the grandfather. And the English charm to match. Dove is proud to award “The Old Curiosity Shop” the Dove Seal.

Dove Rating Details

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Faith

None

0
Integrity

Kit and another boy are shown wrestling and fighting; Quilp grabs his wife by the arm roughly; Quilp grabs Grandfather and shakes him vigorously; Quilp pushes his maid.

0
Sex

None

1
Language

H-1.

1
Violence

Kit and another boy are shown wrestling and fighting; Quilp grabs his wife by the arm roughly; Quilp grabs Grandfather and shakes him vigorously; Quilp pushes his maid.

2
Drugs

Men are drinking and smoking; Quilp is shown drinking and smoking a pipe in several scenes.

0
Nudity

None

2
Other

A kid steals a pastry off a market cart; Grandfather sneaks out at night to gamble; Quilp lies to Grandfather telling him that Kit betrayed him; Quilp scares Nell by taking her to a lunatic asylum.

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