Dickens of London

Both Dickens and his father John were played by British actor Roy Dotrice.

[6] Mankowitz's book, Dickens of London, published by Weidenfeld and Nicolson in 1976, was based on the detailed research he made while writing the screenplay.

Dickens the boy (Simon Bell) is shown unhappily pasting labels onto pots of shoe blacking, while Dickens as a young man (Gene Foad) is revealed as a genius who is becoming aware of his powers and trying to find his way in the world.

She dies suddenly aged seventeen and Dickens wears her ring on his little finger for the rest of his life.

He is portrayed as an alcoholic and it is suggested that this was the source of the family's financial difficulties.