A BBC dramatisation of George Eliot's classic novel about the lives and loves of a group of people living on the cusp of the Industrial Revolution in a small town named Middlemarch. These include young Doctor Lydgate (Douglas Hodge), who arrives at Middlemarch hospital full of idealism and determined to do good works; Dorothea Brooke (Juliet Aubrey), who becomes attracted to the scholarly Edward Casaubon (Patrick Malahide) and then finds herself trapped in an ill-fated marriage; and Will Ladislaw (Rufus Sewell), a young lad who awakens Dorothea's repressed passion and thereby changes the course of her life.

Sylvester McCoy plays the Doctor and Bonnie Langford his assistant, Mel, as they journey to a hi-tech housing block. Once a paradise residence, now a run down and almost deserted nightmare city, a war has developed over the years of its downfall. The Doctor is soon on the case when sinister happenings begin to occur.

Jess (Charlotte Coleman) is the adopted daughter of an over-enthusiastic evangelist (Geraldine McEwan), whose views on life have been shaped by Bible classes and religious radio shows. When Jess grows up she meets Melanie and their close friendship turns to passion - something that her horrified mother and local pastor believe is the work of the Devil, and they set out to take drastic action to save Jess from the evil temptation. This adaptation of Jeanette Winterson's bestselling novel won three BAFTA awards, including Best Actress (McEwan) and Best Drama Series.

Emma Thompson stars in and provides the screenplay for this adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel. Thompson plays Elinor, the eldest of sisters who are reduced in means when their father dies and his estate passes on to his son from his first marriage. They are soon accepted into their new society, each finding romance, but with some pain along the way. Also starring Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant and Alan Rickman, the film won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, as well as three BAFTAs.

Submerge yourself in classic BBC Dickens dramatisations that, like the great novelist's work, have stood the test of time.

The majesty of Charles Dickens' storytelling is captured in this DVD boxset that brings together BBC dramatisations of eight of the acclaimed author's classic novels. From the touching 1985 dramatisation of the semi-autobiographical Oliver Twist to the moving A Christmas Carol that sidesteps mawkish sentimentality and instead, offers viewers an affecting and sincere drama, each TV adaptation will delight fans of the author – and win over a generation of new ones.

Starring a wealth of celebrated actors including Maggie Smith, Bob Hoskins, John Mills and many more, the Charles Dickens Collection celebrates the author's work with authentic and beautifully-played mini TV-series from a broadcaster that is world-renowned for its adaptations.

In chronological order, the adaptations featured in this set are:

• A Christmas Carol (1977)
• A Tale of Two Cities (1980)
• The Pickwick Papers (1985)
• Oliver Twist (1985)
• Martin Chuzzlewit (1994)
• Our Mutual Friend (1998)
• David Copperfield (1999)
• Great Expectations (1999)