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.

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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

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

Mar 26, 2009

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

An unmissable rerelease.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 6, 2007

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Don Druker

Chicago Reader

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

Nov 6, 2007

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Andrew Collins

Radio Times

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

Rated: 5/5

Jul 22, 2024

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

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.

Oct 6, 2023

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James Agee

The Nation

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

Jun 28, 2021

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Russ G

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.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/03/25

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alan g

Best version. Nothing more needs to be said.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/25/25

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Georgan G

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/20/24

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Morvia 8thsin/ 3

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.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/30/24

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Georgius w

One of the Best British Movies. I Love It.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/10/23

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Paul G

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/01/23

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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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