Great Expectations Movie Information

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Movie Information

Overall Rank: 1228

Average Rating: 3/4

# of Ratings: 46

Theatrical Release Date: 05/22/1947

Language: English

Genre: Drama

MPAA Rating: NR

Director: David Lean

Actors: John Mills, Jean Simmons, Alec Guinness, Bernard Miles, Finlay Currie, Valerie Hobson

Plot: Orphan Phillip "Pip" Pirrip (Anthony Wager) assists a convict named Abel Magwitch (Finlay Currie) and was recaptured. He then works for Miss Havisham (Martita Hunt) and falls for a mean Estella (Jean Simmons). After a few years, Miss Havisham's lawyer, Mr. Jaggers (Francis L. Sullivan), visits Pip and informs about a secret benefactor to make him a gentleman. Mr. Jaggers arranges for Pip to stay with Herbert Pocket (Alec Guinness). Herbert and Pip have met before as kids during their stay at Miss Havisham's place.

Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 06/06/2019

The best of the many adaptations of the classic novel, this version of "Great Expectations" is still a stunning work of cinema.

mitchellyoung - wrote on 06/07/2011

David Lean's adaptation of the Dickens novel is skillfully directed and acted. The black and white photography is beautiful and many of the scenes are so specifically framed that they contain their own haunting atmosphere. There is no elaborate departure from the book's plot, just simple acting and story-telling that does the trick.

woody - wrote on 01/30/2011

This movie is the best example of a classic story done justice on film, and David Lean's other Charles Dickens treatment, Oliver Twist, is almost as wonderful an example. The rich black and white photography is gorgeous, particularly in the heavily shadowed early scenes bewteen the young boy and the ex-con. The cast is superb. Watching it is even more of an experience on the Criterion DVD. I can't imagine how great it would be to see it on the big screen.

Daniel Corleone
Movie God

Great Expectations review

Daniel Corleone - wrote on 05/14/2013

"Let's start again. Together!" - Pip. Orphan Phillip "Pip" Pirrip (Anthony Wager) assists a convict named Abel Magwitch (Finlay Currie), works for Miss Havisham (Martita Hunt) and falls for a mean Estella (Jean Simmons). Miss Havisham's lawyer, Mr. Jaggers (Francis L. Sullivan), visits Pip and informs about a secret benefactor to make him a gentleman. Mr. Jaggers arranges for Pip to stay with Herbert Pocket (Alec Guinness).

The score, sets, cinematography, performances and direction were fantastic. The screenplay was great though the pace of certain scenes prolonged the picture. It's leads were believable and story quite interesting enough for a drama. Great Expectations is considered a classic and embodies the themes of moving on, growing-up, parenthood, manners and love.