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From Amazon.co.uk
David Lean's handsome adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel captures the warm humour and richness of character that so many film-makers miss in their reverent recreations of Victorian England. From the nightmarish opening sequence on the windswept graveyard where young orphan Pip (Anthony Wager) meets the desperate escaped criminal Magwitch (Finlay Currie) to the shadowy, musty mansion of the widow Miss Haversham (Martita Hunt) where he first meets the impertinent young beauty Estella (Jean Simmons), Lean captures a child-like exaggeration of reality with his elegant expressionism. When Pip's sudden change in fortune sends him to London as a burgeoning gentleman in high society, Lean sketches a beautiful, bustling city.
John Mills's performance as the adult Pip charts his change from the wide-eyed wonder and generous spirit of the child he was to the class snob transformed by money and social standing, an ugly flaw that Pip confronts when his mysterious benefactor is finally revealed. The outstanding cast also features Valerie Hobson as the grown-up Estella, now a beguiling enchantress, a bright young Alec Guinness in his film debut as Pip's jovial London roommate Herbert Pocket, and the imposing Francis L. Sullivan as the decidedly humourless lawyer Jaggers. Exquisitely photographed by Guy Green (who won an Oscar for his work). Lean and his collaborators effectively maintain the heart of Dickens's epic drama while cutting it to its essentials in this vivid, compelling film. --Sean Axmaker, Amazon.com
Product Description
David Lean directs this classic adaptation of Dickens's novel about a young orphan who develops 'great expectations' after a mysterious benefactor pledges to sponsor his transformation into a gentleman. Pip (Anthony Wager) is visiting the graves of his deceased parents when he finds himself confronted by an escaped convict, Magwitch (Finlay Currie). Unfortunately for Pip, Magwitch isn't the only frightening adult he becomes acquainted with. When Miss Havisham (Martita Hunt), an eccentric old woman still dressed for the wedding at which she was abandoned by her groom years ago, seeks a playmate for her charge, Estella (Jean Simmons), it is Pip who is sent for. The boy quickly falls in love with Estella, though his hopes seem forlorn due to the gap in social standing between the two. When an older Pip (John Mills) discovers that he has a benefactor, he feels that Estella may be won, but has he read the situation correctly?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Out of all the film adaptations of 'Great Expectations', this is by far the best. It captures the warm humour of each charcter, brilliantly and because the film is quite old, the Victorian England set would more or less exactly how it should be, as parts of London in 1946 would still be like that.
One day when pip is out in the Graveyard putting flowers on his parents grave, he comes across an escaped convict whom he takes food to. Many years later while doing his apprentiship as a blacksmith, he is given great wealth and property by an unknown benifactor. Pip has a few ideas of who it could be, but the truth is afr from what he imagined.
In my opinion this is probably one of Charles Dicken's best novels, and even probably one of the best novels ever written. As you will know, reading a Dickens novel is not the easiest of books to read, and this excelent adaptation, allows you to watch it instaed. I do recommend though, that you read the book first as it will assist your understanding of the film, even though the film is very clear as to what is happening.
The acting is simply perfect, especially from young Pip and young Estella who almost seem to 'be' Pip and Estela who have jumped off the pages and come to life. This is what makes a good adaptation.
If you have read the book, then this is a must-see, and if you haven't, then this is still a must see, simply because it is a great film. Beware though, it is in black and white, but this shouldn't matter.
45 of 46 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
From the wonderfully eerie opening scenes on the Essex marshes and Finlay Currie's menacing appearance in a foggy graveyard, you can tell straight away this is a winner. As the story of this "gentleman of great expectations" unfolds, you are treated to one of cinema's classics. David Lean's moody direction keeps you gripped throughout, but it's the acting that really makes the movie: John Mills and Alec Guiness both turn in great performances, and the incidental characters such as Francis L Sullivan's bluff Jaggers and the bumbling but sweet Joe Gargery supplied by Bernard Miles simply steal the show. There have been at least ten versions of this film made. If you only watch one, make it this one: It's a cracker!
38 of 39 people found the following review helpful
By "bex731"
Format:VHS Tape
This versions of Dicken's classic novel "great expectations" is a fantastic adaptation of the book. It follows the book very well and it's the best version i have seen so far out of all 3 versions.
All the actors/actresses are fantastic and i thoroughly enjoyed watching it at school so i bought it. I have been watching it ever since.
The film only misses out a few characters, such as Orlick, who worked for Joe and there are only 1 or two other characters missed out.
So i suggest you buy it, it may be in black and white but it adds to the effect and makes it most enjoyable.
The actor who plays the convict at the beginning
is fantstic when he approaches Pip in the graveyard .
So my advise to you is to buy this.
I am only 15 and have thouroughly enjoyed it.
All the actors/actresses are fantastic and i thoroughly enjoyed watching it at school so i bought it. I have been watching it ever since.
The film only misses out a few characters, such as Orlick, who worked for Joe and there are only 1 or two other characters missed out.
So i suggest you buy it, it may be in black and white but it adds to the effect and makes it most enjoyable.
The actor who plays the convict at the beginning
is fantstic when he approaches Pip in the graveyard .
So my advise to you is to buy this.
I am only 15 and have thouroughly enjoyed it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful movie
Young Pip has a hard life: His parents have died, he lives with his shrewish sister, and he's destined to be a lowly blacksmith. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Kona
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Expectations [Blu-ray]
One of my all time favourite films. Beautifully filmed in Black and white, the blu-ray version is very clean and sharp, and loses none of the atmosphere of this delightful movie. Read more
Published 11 days ago by ShoBud21
5.0 out of 5 stars
A David Lean Classic Which Creates The Dickensian World Admirably
Having first viewed this film in the cinema as a child in the 1950s, David Lean's 'Great Expectations' left a lasting impression on me that persists to this day. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Andrew McCann
5.0 out of 5 stars
gripping stuff
this film never dates they can make updates but this one is the best by far. Although as with most films alot of the written book is left out of the film but does not subtract from... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lynne Maddison
1.0 out of 5 stars
Load of Utter Rubbish
Better than the Book. That's really not saying a lot though. Avoid like the plague. If you accidentally catch a glimpe of it, please run away.
Published 2 months ago by maffism
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Expectations
Classic movie required for any good collection. Arrived quickly, at a great price and in perfect condition. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Vinni
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent product and service.
In my opinion this is the finest film version of this Dickens classic, from the opening scenes in the graveyard where Pip first encounters Finlay Currie's convict Magwich, the film... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Andrew Maines
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fab
Fab classic movie - ideal for sunday afternoon to culr up in front of the fire when nothing else to do - wife
Published 3 months ago by I Scott
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best version
I love this Film the best version ever although it is in Black & White the characters are played very well by the actors and doesn't detract from the film, even though Miss... Read more
Published 3 months ago by linda best
5.0 out of 5 stars
The most acceptable "film"adaptation of the Dickens novel yet produced
I would have to agree that this is by far the most acceptable adaptation of the Dickens novel yet produced on "film". Read more
Published 4 months ago by Wilberfalse
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