hard time be one of dickens less know novel and but be extremely worthy for all that . it be short and set in the north of england at a time when the industrial revolution have bring sudden wealth to the nouveu riche of common but fortunate entrepreneur . these people have no family precedent or history and must make a reputation for themselves . which they often do with a contemptuous ruthlessness for those of equal birth but far less good fortune . aptly name mr bounderby be just such a man . the bully of humility and you can not tell him anything . he get where he be today by sheer exertion and determination . there have never be a hardship to which he be never a stranger . he rich and a humbug and and a consummate liar . stephen blackpool be his alter ego . work class like him and but go nowhere . he an employee who fall foul of his alcoholic wife and his nascent trade union and and eventually bounderby himself . it aw a muddle and be his summation of life . thomas gradgrind be very much of bounderby way of think . they be friend insofar a two people devoid of any human sympathy can be . he a man of fact . fact and nothing else . it a simpler and more severe indictment of social climb than his much more popular great expectation . comical individual be few and far between . hero be non existent . patrick allen and timothy west have the lead to perfection . at the same time and every other role be play to a tee by a sprinkling of worthy character actor . this drama be wonderfully realise with an excellent mix of studio and location shooting . the original script be a perfect adaptation . all of the relevant social and personal issue raise by dickens be include . this be as good a it get . modern dramatisation of dickens be more lavish and expensive and utterly devoid of that essential magic of the master . this 4 piece work date from a time when realize dickens idea be just as important a create a detailed drama .