Featured Audience Ratings

• jay n

  
  As someone who was never a big fan of the source book this version is a decent and relatively faithful rendition of it. John Mills is far too old to play Pip and it shows additionally they should of had Jean Simmons play Estella all the way through, she is much truer to the book… More
  As someone who was never a big fan of the source book this version is a decent and relatively faithful rendition of it. John Mills is far too old to play Pip and it shows additionally they should of had Jean Simmons play Estella all the way through, she is much truer to the book version than Valerie Hobson. Martita Hunt makes a fine Miss Havisham. It's all a bit stodgy though

• Jeremy S

  
  The one and only Great Expectations movie all the rest do not live up to the book.

• Randy T

  
  The absolute BEST adaptation of Charles Dickens ever put on film.

• Cassandra M

  
  The term 'classic' is often banded about with regard to films but I feel this one does warrant the term. A masterpiece of film-making by one of the best director's to take the chair. From the opening on the flat marshland framed by the hangman's gantry, this is… More
  The term 'classic' is often banded about with regard to films but I feel this one does warrant the term. A masterpiece of film-making by one of the best director's to take the chair. From the opening on the flat marshland framed by the hangman's gantry, this is wonderfully atmospheric storytelling of the highest quality which manages to capture the feel of the novel. The inspired touches with the cows muttering to Pip when he takes the stolen food to the convict and the howling wind over London as Pip's past is about to knock on his door, stay in the mind. This film is rich in character and detail. A sumptuous film that is a real treat. I can still, even today, taste the pork pie that Pip steals from the larder and feel his fear as Joe's wife goes to look for it and the sadness as the older Pip is embarrassed by Joe in his upmarket London surroundings and watches his old friend leave London from his living room window. An absolute masterpiece of cinema.

• Red L

  
  It is interesting watching 60 year old classic movies in B&W. I actually had not read this Dickens' classic yet, so I was introduced to the story by this movie. As expected, the movie is well done; for example Miss Havisham's wedding room is properly dreary. I have… More
  It is interesting watching 60 year old classic movies in B&W. I actually had not read this Dickens' classic yet, so I was introduced to the story by this movie. As expected, the movie is well done; for example Miss Havisham's wedding room is properly dreary. I have read how this movie ends unlike Dickens' book. I will have to read it now to see how the true ending might be.

• Luke B

  
  Lean certainly understood the art of adaptation. Not only were he and Noel Coward kindrid spirits but Lean also had an affinity for the works of Charles Dickens. It's no surprise then that even 60 years later Lean's adaptations are still the best versions of cinematic… More
  Lean certainly understood the art of adaptation. Not only were he and Noel Coward kindrid spirits but Lean also had an affinity for the works of Charles Dickens. It's no surprise then that even 60 years later Lean's adaptations are still the best versions of cinematic Dickens. He's helped along by some beautifully stunning photography and excellent production design. From the gothic church yard to Mrs Havisham's dark and cob-webbed filled house, the film captures all of Dicken's words and translates them into physical matter. The casting is perfect with Mills, Currie and Guinness giving wonderful strong turns. Lean also uses sound to great effect when we see Pip steal the pork pie, as he runs to the graveyard everything comes to life to voice it's displeasure at him. Lean also gets the tone spot on. From the creepy yet sad tragedy of Havisham, to the intimidating yet fatherly aspects of Magwitch. The scene involving nodding is one sweet and highly comedic moment that punctuates the drama, romance and adventure in a very mature fashion. A classic film of a classic book.

• Jennifer X

  
  I have always found Dickens overrated, but now I think David Lean is too. The story is perfectly watchable but jumps around inanely while stretching out unnecessary areas.

• Sarah G

  
  Probably the best adaptation of this Dicken's classic.

• Lauren D

  
  I didn't think it was a bad movie, but it's not really my kind of thing. All the technical things were fine; acting, directing etc. But I didn't really know what the point of the movie was. I don't know what I was supposed to get from it. And so overall it felt a… More
  I didn't think it was a bad movie, but it's not really my kind of thing. All the technical things were fine; acting, directing etc. But I didn't really know what the point of the movie was. I don't know what I was supposed to get from it. And so overall it felt a bit flat and unemotional.

• Simeon D

  
  Not the masterpiece David Lean's Oliver Twist is, but still a flawless adaptation from novel by Charles Dickens with stunning cinematic landscapes and deft direction, and a terrific cast. 97/100

• Emily B

  
  As is the case with the later Oliver Twist, this is a great Dickens adaption by David Lean. Right from the first shot Lean and photographer Guy Green capture the bleakness perfectly. Whilst not giving a bad performance I think John Mills was too old to play Pip as a young man. Pip and… More
  As is the case with the later Oliver Twist, this is a great Dickens adaption by David Lean. Right from the first shot Lean and photographer Guy Green capture the bleakness perfectly. Whilst not giving a bad performance I think John Mills was too old to play Pip as a young man. Pip and Estella in their younger years however, played by Tony Wager and Jean Simmons, were perfectly cast.

• Dimitris S

  
  Bleak and ominous,Great Expectations grips you from your seat and travels you into the plunging world of Dickens' living majesty.This is no fun ride,mind you.Lean the mastermind.

• Tom S

  
  Preserves so much of the strange mystery of the book. That said, the character Wemmick loses a little in translation.

• MJS M

  
  This adaptation of the famous Charles Dickens novel has received great amounts of acclaim. It is included in the Criterion collection, it has a very high spot on the BFI list, it?s part of Roger Ebert?s Great Films cannon, and it was nominated for Best Picture back in 1947. I?m not… More
  This adaptation of the famous Charles Dickens novel has received great amounts of acclaim. It is included in the Criterion collection, it has a very high spot on the BFI list, it?s part of Roger Ebert?s Great Films cannon, and it was nominated for Best Picture back in 1947. I?m not sure I understand this huge level of acclaim, but I do think it is a strong work. David Lean is of course a great filmmaker, but I?ve never had quite the same level of love for his understated early work that I do for his epics. The film is very well shot, there are some nice sets and the technical elements are quite strong. I don?t think John Mills was particularly great as a lead, but most of the other performances were quite good. This is about all one would expect from a good Great Expectations adaptations, but I don?t think there?s all that much more.

• Barry L

  
  Brilliant adaptation of the book.

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