'The Personal History of David Copperfield' trailer drops and sees Dev Patel shine

The first trailer for The Personal History of David Copperfield has arrived online ahead of its BFI London Film Festival premiere.

The latest adaptation of Charles Dickens’ semi-autobiographical tale comes from Armando Iannucci in his first theatrical release since the critically-acclaimed period comedy The Death of Stalin.

This version of the Victorian period novel sees Dev Patel in the title role and follows his journey from riches to rags to riches again and all the people he meets on the way.

The film boasts a stellar and diverse cast from stage and screen including Tilda Swinton as Betsey Trotwood as Copperfield's aunt, Hugh Laurie as her companion Mr. Dick and Benedict Wong as Mr. Wickfield with Rosalind Eleazar as his daughter Agnes.

Peter Capaldi, Ben Whishaw, Paul Whitehouse, Daisy May Cooper and, Gwendoline Christie play plays Mr. Micawber, Uriah Heep, Mr. Peggotty, Peggotty and, Jane Murdstone, respectively.

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The film enjoyed its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and it has earned pretty impressive reviews so far.

If this represents Iannucci at his softest and most heartfelt, it's far from an embarrassment, and at times, it's a balm,” says Vikram Murthi for RogerEbert.com.

Vanity Fair’s Katey Rich writes, “It's the sort of movie that gives nearly every character a thoughtful closeup before, somewhat fantastically, bringing most of them back together at the end for a tender sendoff.”

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Here’s the official synopsis:

From birth to infancy, from adolescence to adulthood, the good-hearted David Copperfield is surrounded by kindness, wickedness, poverty and wealth, as he meets an array of remarkable characters in Victorian England.

As David sets out to be a writer, in his quest for family, friendship, romance and status, the story of his life is the most seductive tale of all.

The Personal History of David Copperfield comes to cinemas in 2020