The Personal History of David Copperfield is the new movie from Armando Iannucci and follows the life of a young man facing all the changes of social class. Based on the Charles Dickens book, the story is full of fun and fantastical elements, while being steeped in social realism. But how old do you have to be to see the movie, and is it suitable for children?
*Warning: This article contains mild spoilers for The Personal History of David Copperfield
According to the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) the film has a PG rating, which means “Parental Guidance”.
The BBFC, which explains how these ratings work, said: “General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.
“A PG film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch, but parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger, or more sensitive, children.”
The BBFC also explains specific rating information for individual films, so parents can steel their children ahead of difficult moments, or choose whether to not to bring them at all.
The ratings info reads: “There are infrequent fistfights and slaps, often comicly depicted, and a scene implying Copperfield’s step-father beat him.
“During a fantasy sequence Copperfield imagines a cruel relative getting her hand crushed in a factory machine, but there is no strong detail.
“During a storm at sea efforts are made to reach a man out on a boat, but he is washed overboard and later found dead.
“Following a brief fight in a butcher’s yard David is seen with a slightly bloodied face and shirt, although it is implied this is largely from a spilled bucket rather than his own blood.
“A man melodramatically talks about ending his life, although it is clear he has no real intention to. There are references to drinking and people behaving drunkenly.”
This information will help parents to know whether or not their children will be comfortable with certain moments in the movie, as they explain what could be coming up.
Of course, all children must be accompanied by adults to see a PG film, so parents will be able to shield their child from moments which could be upsetting.
However, another option is for parents to watch the film first, to check whether their children would be comfortable with it.
The movie is just shy of two hours, so this may be easy enough to do on an evening.
Who is in the cast of The Personal History of David Copperfield?
Dev Patel is David Copperfield, while the young version of the protagonist is played by Jairaj Varsani.
Tilda Swinton plays Betsey Trotwood, David’s aunt, while Hugh Laurie plays her companion, Mr Dick.
Mr Micawber, the wise guy who takes David in as a boy, is played by Peter Capaldi, while Ben Whishaw plays the snivelling Uriah Heep.
Paul Whitehouse is Mr Peggotty, the husband of David’s maid, Peggotty, played by Daisy May Cooper.
Aneurin Barnard plays David’s boarding school mate James Steerforth, and Morfydd Clark is Dora Spenlow, David’s first love.
The Wickfields, who are friends of the Trotwoods, are played by Benedict Wong and Rosalind Eleazar, the latter of whom plays Agnes.
Gwendoline Christie plays David’s terrifying aunt, Jane Murdstone, while Darren Boyd plays her brother and David’s wicked stepfather, Edward Murdstone.
Supporting characters are played by Anthony Welsh, Aimee Kelly, Sophie McShera, Divian Ladwa, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Ruby Bental, Bronagh Gallagher and Matthew Cottle, as well as Anna Maxwell-Martin and Keith Harman.
The Personal History of David Copperfield is in cinemas on January 24
