Charles Dickens, Crime Fiction & Film

Dickens not only had a significant influence on the creation of cinema's language but profoundly shaped the development of popular genres, particularly those of crime and detective fiction. In this illustrated talk, season co-curator, and CEO of Film London, Adrian Wootton traces the history of Dickens' own fascination with true crime (including his reporting and comments on criminal law, penal reform and the development of modern policing) and the incorporation of the crime genre into his work. The talk also looks at how filmmakers have treated the crime elements of Dickens's work and how his work has been an inspiration for crime thrillers and film noir.