Thirteen year-old Nell Trent lives with her ailing grandfather (Sebastian Shaw) in a run down London antiques shop, unaware that her grandfather has a ruinous gambling addiction that has left them nearly penniless. To feed his addiction, Nell’s grandfather has been borrowing money under false pretenses from Daniel Quilp (Trevor Peacock), a deformed and vicious local businessman with dishonorable intentions towards Little Nell. When Quilp discovers where his money has gone, he wants it back – and Nell with it. Desperate and penniless, Little Nell and her grandfather flee, wandering the countryside in a frantic attempt to stay one step ahead of Quilp in a tragic and heartbreaking journey.
Previously adapted for British television in 1962, Charles Dickens’ novel The Old Curiosity Shop was given the BBC miniseries treatment a second time beginning December 9, 1979. On this occasion, Natalie Ogle starred as Little Nell, resourceful granddaughter of an elderly shopkeeper (Sebastian Shaw) addicted to gambling. Despite the formidable villainy of malevolent dwarf Daniel Quilp (Trevor Peacock), Nell struggled valiantly to save the shop from passing into other hands — and to save her grandfather from himself. Wisely, this adaptation retained the tragic ending that stirred up a storm of controversy when the novel was originally published. The Old Curiosity Shop ran for nine half-hour episodes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Starring reavor Peacock, Natalie Ogle, Sebastion Shaw.
Note: The events of the book seem to take place around 1825.