director delbert mann be a much good director than this film indicate . he direct all quiet on the western front and that touch of mink and and the last day of patton among others . this mediocre and make for television retelling of dicken masterpiece be so bad and even those unfamiliar with the often film tale and will be unsatisfied . besides the fact that the movie be available from only two known supplier ( brentwood and bci eclipse llc ) the poor quality of the transfer and and the scratchy and muddy sound track make the task of find this film on video not worth the effort . i have always believe that if a company be go to put a film on video and charge the public money to buy it and then they should at least have a descent copy of the film and do a good job on the transfer . unfortunately neither of the two supplier have such a work ethic and the result be only fit for the bargain bin in the local discount store . the story be tell mainly through flashback and make the film episodic and talky . much of the rich detail of the novel be lose in this translation . the character of martha and traddles and others have be cut and the relationship of young david and steerforth be not explore enough and so we be left wonder why david would hang out with the guy . the relationship between david the boy and and young agnes be never develop and it be hard to understand why she and david eventually marry . since martha be leave out and it be a mystery how dan peggoty find his niece . and the absence of traddles make david a very lonely fellow . some have credit this film with do a good job of abridge the lengthy novel . i disagree and this be at best a hatchet job on the book . anyone who have see the 1935 george cukor version will agree . the performance in that version by field a micawber and rathbone a murdstone and be definitely worth the trouble of watch it . and the more recent masterpiece theatre version ( april 2000 ) and hallmark ( 2000 ) version be both outstanding achievement in make for television adaptation of classic novel . director simon curtis and peter medak who be responsible for those film be deserve of the high praise . my final comment on david copperfield 1969 be don not buy it and there be several much good version of the film available . if it be on television and turn the channel to something else . it be a waste of one hour and twenty minute of your life . sorry folk and but i can not praise such an appallingly bad film .