Watch Great Expectations

Great Expectations is a British film released in 1946, directed by David Lean and produced by Ronald Neame. The film is an adaptation of the classic novel of the same name by Charles Dickens. It stars John Mills, Valerie Hobson, and Tony Wager in the lead roles. The story begins with Pip, a poor orphan boy who lives with his abusive sister and her husband in a small village in England. One day, while visiting his parents' grave, Pip encounters a mysterious escaped convict who threatens him into bringing him food and a file to remove his shackles. Pip reluctantly agrees and brings the items to the convict.

Soon after, Pip is invited to the mansion of the wealthy Miss Havisham, who lives in seclusion with her adopted daughter, Estella. Miss Havisham is an eccentric old lady who is still dressed in her wedding gown, and she is surrounded by decaying wedding decorations. She has own reasons for inviting Pip to her home, and the boy quickly becomes enamored with Estella, as Miss Havisham had planned.

Pip becomes increasingly dissatisfied with his humble life and longs for wealth and status. His desire is fueled by the belief that a benefactor wants to provide him with the financial means to become a gentleman. Eventually, Pip discovers the true identity of his mysterious benefactor and learns the price he must pay for his newfound fortune.

The film has a mellow, nostalgic tone, which adds to the charm of this literary adaptation. It is one of the most faithful adaptations of the novel, capturing Charles Dickens' style of writing, settings, and characterizations. The film’s intricate cinematography and lighting are pretty impressive for its time, harnessing the art of the black and white film techniques to great effect.

John Mills plays Pip with a perfect balance of naivety and yearning, and Tony Wager does an excellent job portraying the younger Pip, bringing childlike innocence and sincerity to the role. Valerie Hobson portrays Estella, adding the necessary tones of harshness and superiority to the character brought up by Miss Havisham to wreak revenge on all men. The supporting cast, including Jean Simmons as the younger Estella, Alec Guinness as the reclusive lawyer Jaggers, and Martita Hunt as the despondent Miss Havisham, are all outstanding in their roles.

With its stunning visuals and magnificent performances, Great Expectations transports the viewer to the world of the novel, conveying all of its intricacies and nuances. The movie is an excellent example of British filmmaking, capturing the essence of the novel, bringing it to life with class, elegance, and depth.

In conclusion, Great Expectations is a genuinely fantastic movie that stays true to the original novel, capturing the moodiness and Gothic charm that makes Charles Dickens one of the greatest minds of English literature. The striking performances of the main actors, excellent cinematography, and original music score have made it a classic that should be watched by anyone who loves a good adaptation. The development of the characters throughout the plot is both fascinating and believable, and the twists and turns of the plot keep the viewer engaged until the very end. Overall, Great Expectations is a remarkable achievement of British cinema and a must-see for anyone who loves classic movies.

Great Expectations is a 1946 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8 and a MetaScore of 90.