Great Expectations (1946)

Director:

David Lean

Writers:

Charles Dickens (novel) and
Anthony Havelock-Allan (adaptation)

Release Date:

26 December 1946 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

From the Vivid Pages of Charles Dickens' Masterpiece !

Plot:

A humble orphan suddenly becomes a gentleman with the help of an unknown benefactor.

Plot Keywords:

Nostalgic | Abusive Wife | Beating | 19th Century | Social Consciousness

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 3 nominations

Cast

John Mills	...	Pip
Tony Wager	...	Young Pip (as Anthony Wager)
Valerie Hobson	...	Estella
Jean Simmons	...	Young Estella
Bernard Miles	...	Joe Gargery
Francis L. Sullivan	...	Mr. Jaggers
Finlay Currie	...	Abel Magwitch
Martita Hunt	...	Miss Havisham
Alec Guinness	...	Herbert Pocket
Ivor Barnard	...	Mr. Wemmick
Freda Jackson	...	Mrs. Joe Gargery
Eileen Erskine	...	Biddy
George Hayes	...	Convict
Hay Petrie	...	Uncle Pumblechook
John Forrest	...	The Pale Young Gentleman

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Germany:16 | South Korea:15 (2003) | Australia:G | Sweden:15 | Finland:K-16 | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Denham Studio, Denham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Cineguild

Trivia:

During one scene where she had to carry a candle while walking up the stairs, Jean Simmons' apron caught fire.

Goofs:

Continuity: After Uncle Pumblechook parks his carriage in front of the gate at Satis House and drops off the young Pip, Estella leads Pip away from the gate. First, the carriage is clearly seen parked outside the gate. In a later shot, as Pip is walking, the carriage is gone, and in a subsequent shot, the carriage is back in view outside the gate again.

Quotes:

Magwitch: Keep still, you young devil, or I'll slit your throat!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Colour Me Kubrick: A True...ish Story (2005)

Great version of the Dickens novel...beautiful B&W photography...

The Dickens novel is given classic treatment in David Lean's "Great Expectations". The opening scene is so atmospheric it sets the tone for the convoluted story to follow. The earlier scenes with young Pip are the most enjoyable for me--especially those involving Estella (Jean Simmons) and Miss Havisham (Martita Hunt).

Brilliant performances from all concerned. John Mills is wholly satisfying as the adult Pip and Valerie Hobson as the adult Estella--but it is Martita Hunt's Miss Havisham, sitting among the ruined finery of a wedding that never took place, everything exactly the way it was on that fateful day--and waging war on men ever since--that lingers in the memory.

Some of the best black and white photography seen until that time and an absorbing story with twists and surprises that have logical explanations. Compares favorably with the other great British film, "Oliver Twist" and, by all means, recommended viewing.

Not only worthy of its Best Picture nomination, it should have won over "Gentleman's Agreement" which now seems preachy and artificial.