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Great Expectations Reviews

1946

70
from 5376 members

David Lean directs this definitive version of the Charles Dickens classic about an orphaned boy befriended by a mysterious benefactor who enables him to become a gentleman of means. In the gloom of a country graveyard, the young boy encounters an escaped convict, and a chance meeting years later leads the boy to mysterious .. Read more

Starring	John Mills, Alec Guinness, Jean Simmons, Bernard Miles
Director	David Lean
Genres	Family

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Critic's review of Great Expectations
View all critics' reviews (2)
- Despite the inevitable simplifications, this is a superbly pictorial rendering of a much-loved novel, with all the famous characters in safe hands and masterly judgement in every department.
- 29859
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:38
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Most helpful member's review of Great Expectations
View all members' reviews (42)
- - 4
  - 0
  excellent adaptation
  
  This is an excellent adaptation of Dickens novel, skillfully streamlining the story and omitting the more extraneous material to create a tight narrative. The ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 62524
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Lawrence Conquest
  - england
  - 06 Jan 2005 at 22:39
Most recent members' reviews of Great Expectations
View all members' reviews (42)
- - 0
  - 0
  Definitely The Best Version Of All
  
  Watching this 1946 version of “Great Expectations” again after many years, took me back to my school days.
  
  I was doing “Great ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1074151
- - a customer
  - 17 Dec 2011 at 17:00
- - 0
  - 0
  Poor Expectations
  
  This so called 'masterful' adaption of Dickens' great work does a great job of recreating some of the images which are so vividly sketched into one... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1072138
- - JamesMay
  - 1 review
  - 10 Dec 2011 at 17:02
- - 0
  - 0
  A proper love story
  
  Fantastic to watch again. As I've written before, if a film can pass the wandering teenage attention test it must be good. This one was seen from start to ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1065113
- - chuffedchipper
  - 34 reviews
  - Rhos-on-Sea
  - 20 Nov 2011 at 20:08
- - 0
  - 0
  Watch it!
  
  A lovely and heartwarming film with a fantastic cast including Alec Guinness (who later went on to play Obi Wan Kenobi) and a young Jean Simmons. A little scary... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1035860
- - LadyS
  - 2 reviews
  - 01 Sep 2011 at 17:07
- - 0
  - 0
  Great Classic!
  
  THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS | Show review anywayHide
  
  Great adaptation of of true classic. The ending is not the original but the more entertaining and enlightening second ending.
  
  a little long but ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1009227
- - a customer
  - 24 Jun 2011 at 15:50
- - 0
  - 0
  Yeah, maybe a little disappointing
  
  I have to agree with some of the other reviewers regarding this film. I thought it was 'alright', but I must say I was a little disappointed. The ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1002575
- - Umsh
  - 13 reviews
  - xxx
  - 09 Jun 2011 at 13:02
- - 0
  - 1
  A true classic
  
  My son didn't want to watch this and squirmed for first 1/2 hour, but then got totally hooked on the story and we all really enjoyed it. It IS dated, but it... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 997900
- - a customer
  - 28 May 2011 at 13:17
- - 0
  - 0
  Classic but stilted.
  
  It goes without saying that anything by Charles Dickens is superb, but translating that to the big screen in watchable film format is another idea, I'd just... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 877601
- - Kingstony
  - 43 reviews
  - Kingston upon Thames
  - 28 Mar 2010 at 15:10
- - 0
  - 0
  Atmospheric
  
  Over 50 years old and still the best version. Dickens would have been proud.
  
  Report this review
- 848739
- - a customer
  - Kent
  - 13 Jan 2010 at 17:36
- - 0
  - 0
  Great Expectations ( dir. David Lean)
  
  Somehow the old movies seem more able to capture the atmosphere of a Dickens novel better than more recent ones.
  
  This version is wonderfully ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 741113
- - Laharnaman
  - 2 reviews
  - Larne
  - 10 Apr 2009 at 10:42
View all members' reviews (42)

- - 4
  - 0
  excellent adaptation
  
  This is an excellent adaptation of Dickens novel, skillfully streamlining the story and omitting the more extraneous material to create a tight narrative. The ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 62524
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Lawrence Conquest
  - england
  - 06 Jan 2005 at 22:39
- - 3
  - 1
  Atmospheric but shallow
  
  This version of the classic tale concentrates on darkness and atmosphere to the detriment of much of the storyline. The opening sequence is long and ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 5588
- - Kate Gardner
  - Reading, England
  - 09 May 2004 at 11:57
- - 3
  - 1
  A TRUE CLASSIC
  
  Anyone who has a passing interest in British films should watch David Lean's 'Great Expectations'.
  
  Say no more.
  
  Report this review
- 84027
- - Jas Sidhu
  - London
  - 22 Mar 2005 at 11:25
- - 3
  - 1
  A Timeless Classic.
  
  I loved this old black and white version, doesn't seem dated at all. The acting is superb from all members of the cast.
  
  Report this review
- 318613
- - donna2
  - warks
  - 12 Jan 2005 at 14:39
- - 1
  - 0
  OK so I havent't read the book ...
  
  ... but why bother when there is such a great film to watch instead? Okay, so in this film version little Pip appears to mature from a gangly adolescent to a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 522129
- - a customer
  - Jersey
  - 04 Feb 2008 at 22:33
- - 0
  - 0
  good old film
  
  We own a naturist bed & breakfast / holiday park.
  
  fieldfarm.co.uk and give free hire films
  
  to our guests and decided this one may be... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 12178
- - a customer
  - lincoln
  - 25 Jul 2004 at 09:41
- - 0
  - 0
  True to Rank
  
  This is a truly Britrish film made to the very best of British standards see the best of todays stars as newcomers and why they are were they are today
  
  Report this review
- 56670
- - William Smith
  - Wales
  - 01 Dec 2004 at 12:08
- - 1
  - 1
  Expectations met!
  
  This is another classic that I hadn't seen before and was thoroughly recommended to me by a friend. I was disappointed after seeing.
  
  John Mills ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 58819
- - Welshwaspy
  - 126 reviews
  - London
  - 13 Dec 2004 at 10:15
- - 0
  - 0
  Classic
  
  This is an absolute classic David Lean film. The atmosphere produced is unbeatable and the stars, Mills and Guinness are truly great. If you want to see an ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 60877
- - Nigel Lloyd
  - Hebden Bridge, UK.
  - 27 Dec 2004 at 14:20
- - 0
  - 0
  All time Classic
  
  One of the greatest films ever made,what more can you say
  
  Report this review
- 65084
- - STEVE BATEMAN
  - Wirral
  - 18 Jan 2005 at 13:33

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- Great Expectations - Blu-ray
  
  Lean's definitive version of the Dickens classic about an orphaned boy befriended by a mysterious benefactor who enables him to become a gentleman of means. In nineteenth century London, in the gloom of a country graveyard, a young boy encounters an escaped convict, a chance meeting that years ...

- - Buy
- Great Expectations
  
  David Lean directs this definitive version of the Charles Dickens classic about an orphaned boy befriended by a mysterious benefactor who enables him to become a gentleman of means. In the gloom of a country graveyard, the young boy encounters an escaped convict, and a chance meeting years later ...