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The Old Curiosity Shop

1979·Show
9Episodes in1Season
72
GoodGoodWatch score

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Not streaming in any country yet.

The Old Curiosity Shop fingerprint

Strong craft, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension5
  • Fast Pace3
  • Violence3

Heart

Deeply moving and melancholic

Much of it is about family and growing up.

  • Pathos9
  • Family Dynamics9
  • Melancholy8

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Dark Humor2
  • Situational Comedy1

World

History, family, and society

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout characters and performances

  • Character Depth9
  • Acting8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography6
  • Editing6
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchBinge-FriendlyThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You want fast pacing

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

About

The Old Curiosity Shop is a 1979 BBC miniseries based on the novel by Charles Dickens. It was directed by Julian Amyes, and adapted by William Trevor. A kindly shop owner whose overwhelming gambling debts allow a greedy landlord to seize his shop of dusty treasures. Evicted and with no way to pay his debts, he and his granddaughter flee.
Dickensian DramaVictorian EnglandClassic AdaptationMelancholy & PathosFamily StruggleSocial CommentaryCharacter-DrivenSlow-Burn NarrativeBritish Period Piece

Crew

Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Old Curiosity Shop

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Old Curiosity Shop legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for The Old Curiosity Shop in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is The Old Curiosity Shop worth watching?

72
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 73/100 (IMDb 7). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Old Curiosity Shop rated?

Disturbing imagery

Content advisories: disturbing imagery.

How many seasons does The Old Curiosity Shop have?

1 season

It has 1 season with 9 episodes of about 30 minutes each.

Is The Old Curiosity Shop based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

When did The Old Curiosity Shop air?

It ran from 1979 to 1980 and has ended.

What language is The Old Curiosity Shop in?

English

It was made in English.