Celebrate Charles Dickens' Birthday with These On-Screen Portrayals

Iconic British author Charles Dickens was born in Plymouth, England on February 7, 1812, he is regarded as one of the greatest novelists in the English language. His timeless plotlines are simultaneously brimming with commentary on the social ills of the Victorian era.

It is Dickens’ richly drawn characters, however, that are arguably the most memorable aspect of his storytelling.  When I say the names Oliver Twist, Miss Havisham or Ebenezer Scrooge, you can probably conjure a image in your head based on the book you read or, just as likely, from one of the many screen adaptations of those stories. Can you say the same of the creator of these iconic characters?

There are plenty of Dickens biographies out there and, as one who works in a library, I encourage you to read as many as you like. Nonetheless, in honor of the anniversary of his birth, I’ve tracked down a number of film and television portrayals of Charles Dickens. Some are more autobiographical than others and the actors portraying him vary greatly, but together they demonstrate that an author born over two centuries ago is still relevant and beloved by people today.

The Man Who Invented Christmas

This 2017 film follows the rather magical journey of how Dickens created a classic Christmas tale which helped transform a second-rate holiday into the celebration we know today. Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey and Beauty and the Beast) plays the celebrated writer struggling to finish the manuscript of A Christmas Carol in time for publication.