Great Expectations

Plot synopsis:
An orphan, Phillip "Pip" Pirrip (Anthony Wager), lives with his shrewish older sister and her kind-hearted blacksmith husband, Joe Gargery (Bernard Miles). One day, Pip runs into an escaped convict, Abel Magwitch (Finlay Currie). Magwitch intimidates the boy into getting him some food and a file for his chains. However, the man is caught when he attacks another escapee he hates and is taken back to prison.Later, Miss Havisham (Martita Hunt), a rich, aloof spinster arranges to have the boy come to her mansion regularly, to provide her company and to play with a cruel but beautiful teenage girl, Estella (Jean Simmons). Estella mocks Pip's coarse manners at every opportunity, but Pip quickly falls in love with her. Once, he meets one of Miss Havisham's relations, Herbert Pocket (John Forrest), a boy about his age. Pip also bumps into Mr. Jaggers (Francis L. Sullivan), Miss Havisham's lawyer. The visits come to an end when Pip turns 14 and begins his apprenticeship as a blacksmith. Estella leaves also, to learn to become a lady.Six years later, Mr. Jaggers shows up and tells him that a mysterious benefactor has offered to turn Pip (played as an adult by John Mills) into a gentleman, one with "great expectations". Pip naturally assumes that it is Miss Havisham. He is taken to London where Mr. Jaggers arranges for Pip to stay with a grownup Herbert Pocket, who will teach him how to behave like a gentleman. From Herbert, Pip learns that Miss Havisham is embittered and her mind warped at being left at the altar many years ago; she is determined to avenge herself against all men, and Estella is to be her instrument of vengeance, a heartless creation to break men's hearts. Pip refuses to believe it.After Pip turns 21, a visit from Joe Gargery shows that Pip has become a snob, as evidenced by his ill-concealed irritation at Joe's clumsy manners. Joe brings a request from Miss Havisham to see her. There he is delighted to be reunited with Estella (Valerie Hobson), though she warns him point-blank, "You must know, Pip, I have no heart," but Pip does not believe it. She is about to enter London society. Estella and Pip spend much time together, though she flirts with many men, especially the unpopular, though wealthy and well-born Bentley Drummle, much to Pip's disgust. However, she confesses to Pip that though she flirts with Drummle, she has absolutely no feelings for him.Pip receives another visitor from the past. Magwitch appears and tells Pip that he is his patron, not Miss Havisham. Mr. Jaggers confirms the news, if indirectly, inasmuch as Magwitch has apparently been transported to Australia (where he made the fortune that has paid for Pip's refinement) and will be hanged if found in England. When Jagger's assistant, Mr. Wemmick, warns Pip that an old enemy (the other escapee at the beginning of the film) knows that Magwitch is in London, Pip makes preparations to smuggle the old man onto a packet boat and accompany him to the Continent.He goes to bid farewell to Estella and finds her with Miss Havisham. When pressed, she tells Pip that she is going to marry (and torment) Drummle. Pip affirms to Miss Havisham that she has gotten her revenge, at least on him; he loves Estella without hope. For the first time, Miss Havisham regrets her actions. After he leaves, a piece of coal dislodged from the fireplace sets her dress (her wedding dress) on fire. Pip hears her screams and smothers the flames with a rotting tablecloth, but is unable to save Miss Havisham.When Pip, Herbert and Magwitch row out to the packet boat, they are intercepted by the waiting police, tipped off by Magwitch's great enemy. Magwitch grapples with his nemesis, who is struck and killed by the vessel. Magwitch is seriously injured. The old man had previously spoken to Pip of his lost daughter. Pip's suspicions are aroused and then confirmed by Mr. Jaggers: she is Estella. Pip visits the dying Magwitch and tells him of her fate, and that he, Pip, is in love with her. Magwitch passes away, a contented man.Stricken by illness and with his expectations gone, Pip is taken home and nursed back to health by Joe Gargery. When he recovers, he revisits Miss Havisham's deserted house. There he finds Estella. When Mr. Jaggers told Drummle of her true parentage, he broke off the engagement. She inherited the house. Learning that Estella plans to live in seclusion just like her mentor, the alarmed Pip tears down the curtains and forces open the boarded-up windows; for the first time in years, sunlight lights the room, revealing cobwebs and dust. Pip forces Estella to look at it and tells her that he has never stopped loving her. After hesitating, she embraces him and they leave the house.

Tags: insanity, romantic, melodrama

Review:
The Dickens novel itself is so good that even routine film adaptations of it are usually quite watchable, but this version is exceptional, with atmosphere, settings, photography, and characters that do full justice to the original.
From the very beginning, with a wonderful realization of the graveyard scene, you are drawn into the world of Pip and the other characters, and feel that you can understand their concerns and dilemmas.One of the things that makes "Great Expectations" such a classic story is that it adds some real depth to Dickens's usual slightly exaggerated characters, so that they are both memorable and thought-provoking.
Some of them seem to be almost exactly what Dickens would have envisioned, such as Jean Simmons as the young Estella and Francis Sullivan as Jaggers (a role he also played in an earlier version).This is exactly what a film version of a classic book should be, keeping the most important themes and events from the story and using the visuals to bring its world to life.
This is very close to being one of the most perfect films ever made.Every actor performs at his best - making every word and inflection count - and the script is perfect, the direction is perfect and the photography is excellent.I am astounded by what Antony Wager, the young actor portraying Pip as a youngster, is able to deliver.I only have one "but" - while Jean Simmons is perfect as the young Estella, I find Valerie Hobson - as the only member of the entire cast - miscast as the older Estella.
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.
Great Expectations is a film, which ends very nicely for the characters, but their journeys throughout the film are not.Pip sees himself for the rude snob he became, and Estella prides herself for being a heartless, ruthless bitch (for lack of a better word), and Miss Havisham is cold, and simply out to destroy men.
John Mills was interesting to watch, and after seeing the movie, I didn't know weather to like Pip for how he ended up, or to see him for the nasty person he had changed into (and come back from).Only when watching it for the second time, did i realise the thought behind the direction.
From what I just researched, it sounds like the book was a lot harsher story.My only major complaint with this film is the casting of the lead character, "Pip," as an adult, which involves most of this movie.
The film is an adaptation based on Charles Dickens's novel , being very fine directed by the classic director David Lean .
Wonderfully atmospheric, with gorgeous black and white cinematography, the movie is pitch perfect in every way.The rest of the movie is quite good, with many fine performances and scenes and an engaging story, but there are a few things that weaken it.While some of this may be that the early, rural scenes offer more opportunity for lush visuals and a sense of wild adventure, I think the greater problem is the two adult leads.The children are great.
Alec Guinness began a long association with director David Lean as Herbert Pocket, Pip's friend and roommate.Finlay Currie, the craggy Scot's player who usually played kindly old gentlemen, turns out to be kinder indeed than originally presented as convict Abel Magwitch.
David Lean's version of Great Expectations, although simplified and given a happy ending, is perhaps the closest in atmosphere of any Dickens adaption to the original.
It is also the most cinematic - especially concerning the rotting, dusty house of Miss Havisham, who pines for the love she has lost, sitting in her decaying wedding dress with the table made up for the feast.John Mills is perhaps at his best as the grown Pip, who goes to seek his fortune after being left a sizable sum of money from he knows not who (but we can guess fairly early on).
As the boy Pip, Anthony Wager is OK, but is overshadowed by Jean Simmons as the girl Estella.Best in this cast are Bernard Miles as Joe (an irritating portrayal but charming and realistic - this is a yokel who can't quite understand how Pip has become a gentleman); and Finlay Currie as the convict Magwitch.The film is notable too for the debut of Alec Guinness as Herbert Pocket, Pip's roommate in London.
Valerie Hobson rounds out the cast as the grown Estella, while Martita Hunt is a sinister Miss Havisham, and Francis L Sullivan is the grasping lawyer Jaggers.Anyone who loves the book will appreciate the treatment this film lovingly gives it.
Later in the story, Pip is summoned to a Gothic mansion where a wicked old woman known as Miss Havisham played by Martita Hunt (from the Disney classic The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men as 'Queen Eleanor') lives still in her weeding dress from years ago in which she hasn't seen the sunlight since the day her heart was broken.
Later in the film, the 21 year old Pip played by John Mills is given the chance to be educated as a gentleman but the person who has sponsored him wishes to remain anonymous.The film also features Alec Guinness (who gave an Oscar winning performance in The Bridge on the River Kwai in 1957 also directed by David Lean) who plays young Herbert Pocket.
David Lean's version of the classic Charles Dickens story concerning a young man who is taken away from his desolate existence in a farmhouse and treated to an education and a handsome living by a mysterious benefactor.
Yes, I know they missed a few things out about Pip, but Great Expectations is one of the hardest Dickens books, with exception of Bleak House, which I couldn't read at all.
His best-known work based on a famous novel is probably "Dr Zhivago", but earlier in his career he made two films based on Dickens, "Great Expectations" and "Oliver Twist".
Unlike Alfonso Cuaron's modern version, Lean's "Great Expectations" follows fairly closely Dickens's plot about Pip, a poor county boy who unexpectedly comes into wealth as a result of a gift from a mysterious benefactor, although it does simplify the story somewhat.
Although John Mills, nearly forty at the time, was really too old for the adult Pip, who is supposed to be in his early twenties, he gives a very good performance and shows how Pip gains a fortune, nearly loses his soul, then finds it again.Of the other characters, Martita Hunt makes an excellent Miss Havisham, very much in the spirit of Dickens's character, and Bernard Miles a memorable Joe Gargery, even if his accent as does not seem quite right for North Kent.
In this adaptation of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, director David Lean pares back the subplots presenting a leaner, streamlined version of the novel.The story follows a young orphan, Pip (Anthony Wager), who is living with his shrewd sister and her good-hearted blacksmith husband.One day, while talking to his mother's grave, he is caught by a dangerous convict, Magwitch (Finlay Currie), who persuades him to get food for him.He is also made to visit one Miss Havisham (Martita Hunt), who has confined herself to a musty and oppressive tomb, after her to-be-husband never showed up.
As if it was not enough, Pip comes to know who his real benefactor isThe movie won 2 Oscars, out of its 5 nominations.{Best Art Direction-Set Decoration John Bryan, Wilfred ShingletonBest Cinematography Guy Green}'Great Expectations' stands No. 5 in the British Film Institutes' list of top 100 movies!Francis L.
Sullivan as Jaggers cuts an imposing figure, dismissive of his social inferiors, yet fair-minded and direct with Pip. Director Lean deftly represents Dickens' disdain for the iniquities of Victorian society.The sterile upper class frivolity in London stands effectively in ironic contrast to the honesty and earthiness of country life.Lean brings Dickens' classic set pieces to life  Pip's encounter with Magwitch in the churchyard, Pip's first meeting with the mad Miss Havisham and the ghoulish atmosphere in Mr. Jaggers' office, whose walls are decorated with the death masks of clients, he has lost to the gallows.He makes us care about the characters, and casts a cinematic spell,bringing into play a powerful visual narrative that hints at big themes and elemental forces!.
This beautiful, powerful film shows what can happen when a visionary director, a capable crew, fine actors, and a can't-miss plot all come together.As with all Dickens film adaptations (not counting multi-part mini-series), this one doesn't present every aspect of the original story, but the screenplay gives us the heart of the plot and doesn't leave us feeling cheated.
John Mills, despite being too old for the part, gives a convincing performance as Pip, and he's surrounded with the cream of British character players (including the horribly-bewigged Alec Guiness in his film debut).There are some risky narrative devices (talking cows?) that somehow feel just right.
John Mills, Valerie Hobson, Alec Guinness, Jean Simmons and Martita Hunt star in this exceptional film adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel.
Well, then take a great epic 19th century story spanning several decades with well worked out characters and various twists and turns by a respected writer like Charles Dickens.
Add a director like David Lean, who is known for his excellent storytelling abilities with the camera, and you're in for a real treat on the big screen.Enriched with highly impressive sets and costumes, a wonderful cast, shot in striking black and white cinematography the book comes to life as only few film adaptations of works of literature do.
Jean Simmons and Tony Wager as the young Estella and Pip probably delivered the best, most natural performances, which helped greatly to set up the film.Great Expectations is not quite perfect, which is not surprising given the youth of the director, producer and cast, all of whom would go on to great things.
Whatever the case, when put into its own historical context the film version appears to be partly alluding to the recent creation of the British Welfare State, as well as the general mood of optimism at the end of the Second World War. Certainly, Lean makes a very grand climax out of the scene in which Pip throws open the curtains in Mrs Haversham's mansion and leads Estella out into the sunshine, suggesting the dawning of a new, brighter future.
David Lean's adaption of Charles Dicken's book "Great Expectations" is incredibly overrated.
His love scenes with Hobson and the somewhat overplayed Miss Havisham (Martita Hunt) are the film's Achilles heel, sucking up precious oxygen whenever they come up, all the way through to the unsatisfying obtuse finale.Lean and his four assistant screenwriters work hard to keep things tight, a blessing as it allows us to focus on the setpieces, the visuals, and the supporting players as they roll by quickly.
There are mistakes, like playing Miss Havisham as a horror-movie character and a silly business in the beginning of Pip hearing accusing voices from cows and dead rabbits after robbing his family larder to feed the convict.Lean did better work on his next Dickens adaptation, "Oliver Twist," but that is because I think it is a stronger story, or at least more easily tightened and less dependent on clanging coincidences than "Great Expectations." Perhaps the many who would disagree with me on the relative merits of the two novels will find this more a classic, and favor it more.What you get here is not a finely-woven yarn but a shimmering mosaic of brilliant jewel-like clusters, not fitting well together but dazzling in their collective display.
It doesn't matter if the movie got made in the '40's or in the present time, all movies feel and look alike, which is due to the recognizable Dickens writing of the situations and characters.Great Expectations is not Charles Dickens best known work and when it comes down to movies, it also isn't his most adapted book.
David Lean's "Great Expectations" is the best adaptation of Dickens I have seen.
"Great Expectations" is another Dickens novel adapted for the screen and directed by David Lean.
David Lean, the distinguished British director who would later bring us such lavish epics as The Bridge on the River Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia, started out small but impressive in this small-budget adaptation of the Charles Dickens' classic novel about a young boy very much out of the social realm and his attempt to rise up in the rankings.
Many filmed adaptation of the Charles Dicken's classic Great Expectations have made it to the big screen including several after this but they should have stopped with David Lean's film because this is the best.
Lean would team up with writer Havelock-Allan and cinematographer Green a couple years later to produce another great film adaptation of a Dickens classic Oliver Twist.
This is a damn fine film, terrific ensemble cast, Alec Guiness right on down to Hay Petrie; fine direction(by David Lean!)cinematography...faithful to the novel, well paced...I much preferred watching it to reading the book, to be honest; but then that's Dickens for you.Definately a classic movie-**** outta ****.
The Charles Dickens classic "Great Expectations" could not have been in better hands than David Lean's.
The young Pip is a likable lad with a strong inclination for good who meets the old Miss Havisham and her daughter Estella who change his world view forever.Lean's choice of black and white is the first stroke of brilliance with this film.
Top-notch performances from John MIlls as 20-year-old Pip, Alec Guinness as his friend Herbert Pocket and some terrific character roles: Martita Hunt as Miss Havisham and Freda Jackson as the story's lovable simpleton, Mr. Joe Dargery.
Some reviews here seem unfamiliar with the novel so I just want to stress that Dickens is not to blame for that ending.Still, the movie is well worth watching because everything else is brilliant especially Jean Simmons, Alec Guiness and above all Martita Hunt as the very memorable Miss Havisham.
There are truly memorable performances from Martita Hunt, Finlay Currie, Bernard Miles and Francis L Sullivan but, like many people, I have always had a problem with the relative ages of the lead actors.The young Pip was played by 14-year-old Tony Wager.
For me, one out of two was not quite good enough.Oliver Twist was David Lean's great Dickens film.PS: In the Railway Children, 19 year-old Sally Thomsett played a girl of about 12 or 13, so she might have been able to play Florence Dombey.
I expected Pip at that time to be a young man still working on his apprenticeship, yet the actor playing the role, John Mills, is 37 years old at the time.Though closer in age to her character, Estella, played by Valerie Hobson, is 10 years beyond being a teenager at the time of filming as well.
Great Expectations is directed by David Lean, is based on the novel by Charles Dickens and stars John Mills, Martita Hunt, Valerie Hobson, Jean Simmons, Finlay Currie and Alec Guinness.This 1946 version of Charles Dicken's classic novel has become to many people the definitive adaptation.Gloomy,romantic,and at times down right creepy, this is a fine adaptation with some striking imagery.Opening in a deserted graveyard,the story begins with the young Pip(Anthony Wager)encountering escaped convict Magwitch(Finlay Currie).He brings him food and helps him out of his chains.Unknown to Pip his kindness is never forgotten by the older man.Some time later Pip becomes companion and playmate to the young ward of local rich lady Miss Havisham(Martita Hunt),called Estella(Jean Simmons).Miss Havisham lives alone in her decaying mansion still wearing the wedding dress she had on when her future husband jilted her.She is totally against men and aims to make Estella carry on her hatred by breaking the heart of Pip when he's older.
Years later the older Pip(John Mills)inherits some money which he thinks has come from Miss Havisham.He makes his way to London to live a high class life with childhood friend Herbert Pocket(Alec Guiness)and get money from the man who knows the true identity of his benefactor, lawyer Mr.Jaggers(Francis L.Sullivan).Much to his joy he runs into Estella(Valerie Hobson)who he falls in love with,and tries to get her to change from the embittered woman that Miss Havisham has turned her into.A timeless tale of love,hatred and class,Great Expectations takes an wonderful look at snobbishness and perceptions.
Mills is a fine actor, but he was 38 when GE was filmed, playing the 21 year old Pip, and it just doesn't work.
The 1939 Alec Guinness - narrated stage production of "Great Expectations" provided David Lean with the inspiration for his 1946 film.Martita Hunt played Miss Havisham and Guinness - as well as narrating - played Herbert Pocket,roles they were to repeat in the movie.Knowing Dickens only from "A Christmas Carol",Lean set about studying the novel and eventually produced a continuity before Ronald Neame wrote the screenplay.The result bore all the incipient hallmarks of a cinema stylist in the making.
On the other hand, here is a version that even a fastidious Charles Dickens would no doubt have readily endorsed, namely David Lean's justly famous 1946 adaptation (available on an excellent Criterion DVD) in which (despite being way down on the cast list), Martita Hunt (Miss Havisham), Finlay Currie (Magwitch) and Anthony Wager (Pip) give the best performances of their careers.
The direction by Lean is brilliant, he may have his Technicolor masterpieces later, but this black and white film he followed with Dickens tale Oliver Twist, the Victorian settings and costumes are spot on, there is a great gloomy tone throughout the whole story, it is a perfect classic period drama.