Great Expectations

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Great Expectations

1946

1h 58m

Drama

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100%

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29 Reviews

88%

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5,000+ Ratings

In this Dickens adaptation, orphan Pip (John Mills) discovers through lawyer Mr. Jaggers (Francis L. Sullivan) that a mysterious benefactor wishes to ensure that he becomes a gentleman. Reunited with his childhood patron, Miss Havisham (Martita Hunt), and his first love, the beautiful but emotionally cold Estella (Valerie Hobson), he discovers that the elderly spinster has gone mad from having been left at the altar as a young woman, and has made her charge into a warped, unfeeling heartbreaker.

Critics Consensus

Furnished with striking visual detail and told with great narrative economy by director David Lean, Great Expectations is an exemplary adaptation of Charles Dickens' dense and episodic novel.

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Variety Staff

Variety

03/26/2009

Only rabid Dickensians will find fault with the present adaptation, and paradoxically only lovers of Dickens will derive maximum pleasure from the film.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

11/06/2007

4/5

An unmissable rerelease.

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Don Druker

Chicago Reader

11/06/2007

The graveyard scene is still a shocker, the details are still astonishingly well assembled, and the performances are wonderful.

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Andrew Collins

Radio Times

07/22/2024

5/5

This is superlative film-making from one of Britain's greatest directors.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

10/06/2023

David Lean’s handsome adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel captures the warm humor and richness of character that so many filmmakers miss in their reverent recreations of Victorian England.

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James Agee

The Nation

06/28/2021

The film is almost never less than graceful, tasteful, and intelligent, and some of it is better than that.

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Russ G

Mar 3

A movie based on a book that was crammed down every 8th Grader's throat back in the 60's. Decent moviemaking for post-war Britain but not something that's going to appear plausible or engaging to modern audiences especially younger ones.

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alan g

@agenser Jan 25

Best version. Nothing more needs to be said.

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Georgan G

07/20/2024

A classic tale acted by some of the best. One of those movies you should have on a desert island. Next I'll be viewing the 1934 & 2012 versions.

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Morvia 8thsin/ 3

09/30/2023

The film has great acting while the rating of the film is a bit generous in my viewing with G or general audience. The movie is not for a general audience while the book may just be is the difference. I would suggest at least PG since there are fighting scenes and leaning towards adult themed scenarios such as payments for information but in the light of manipulation while the scene showing the burning of a character makes this film in my opinion not for the general audience. This rating is short of so fresh according to the rating star system since it is an adaptation.

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Georgius w

06/10/2023

One of the Best British Movies. I Love It.

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Paul G

01/01/2023

Its a classic for a good reason. The story is timeless, the acting holds up well today, it is simply a lovely film to watch.

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David Lean

Director

John Mills

Pip

Valerie Hobson

Estella

Bernard Miles

Joe Gargery

Francis L. Sullivan

Mr. Jaggers

Finlay Currie

Abel Magwitch

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Synopsis

In this Dickens adaptation, orphan Pip (John Mills) discovers through lawyer Mr. Jaggers (Francis L. Sullivan) that a mysterious benefactor wishes to ensure that he becomes a gentleman. Reunited with his childhood patron, Miss Havisham (Martita Hunt), and his first love, the beautiful but emotionally cold Estella (Valerie Hobson), he discovers that the elderly spinster has gone mad from having been left at the altar as a young woman, and has made her charge into a warped, unfeeling heartbreaker.

Director: David Lean
Producer: Anthony Havelock-Allan, Ronald Neame
Screenwriter: David Lean, Ronald Neame, Anthony Havelock-Allan
Production Co: Cineguild
Genre: Drama
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 26, 1946, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 22, 2017
Runtime: 1h 58m

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