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Great Expectations

Play trailer Poster for Great Expectations Released Dec 26, 1946 1h 58m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 29 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 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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Great Expectations

Great Expectations

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian An unmissable rerelease. Rated: 4/5 Nov 6, 2007 Full Review 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 Full Review Andrew Collins Radio Times This is superlative film-making from one of Britain's greatest directors. Rated: 5/5 Jul 22, 2024 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Full Review alan g Best version. Nothing more needs to be said. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/25/25 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Georgius w One of the Best British Movies. I Love It. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/10/23 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews
Great Expectations

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Cast & Crew

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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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Great Expectations

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Movie Info

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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