Great Expectations (1946)
While this version wasn’t technically the first, it’s universally referred to as “the original” adaptation of Charles Dickens’s novel Great Expectations. If you don’t know the story, it follows the journey of a poor young boy Pip who is sent to play with the beautiful Estella, by request of the wealthy and strange Miss Havisham. He sees his commonness in contrast to her delicate beauty, and resolves to become a gentleman when he grows up, so that he might be worthy of her. There’s a lot more to the story than that, but if you want to learn more, either pick up the book or rent the 1946 film version. The original really is the best.
John Mills plays grown-up Pip, and it’s hard to watch any other version—out of the dozens of remakes out there—without comparing other actors to him. Plus, he looks very handsome in 1800s costumes! Young Pip is played by Tony Wager, and it’s as if the camera crew really found him in the graveyard as they filmed the opening scene. His fear and shame in the beginning of the film is intense; I’m always amazed at the talent of young actors. Jean Simmons played young Estella, and audiences were so transfixed by her cold beauty, she became an instant star.
Another familiar face to look out for is a young Alec Guinness, as the young “pale faced gentleman”. The tragic acting of the cast, and David Lean’s old-style direction that captures the spookiness of Miss Havisham’s world, is superb. There have been so many failed attempts to recapture the magic of Great Expectations, and I’ve seen almost all of them. I didn’t see the 1991 version, in which Jean Simmons plays Miss Havisham, though. I thought that would be rather sad to watch. Save yourself the trouble of hunting down every known version, and buy a copy of the 1946 version. It will become your go-to movie on dark winter nights, believe me.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "daniel dona" for posting!
More Alec Guinness movies here!
More Jean Simmons movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1934's Great Expectations here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1974's Great Expectations here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1998's Great Expectations here!
John Mills plays grown-up Pip, and it’s hard to watch any other version—out of the dozens of remakes out there—without comparing other actors to him. Plus, he looks very handsome in 1800s costumes! Young Pip is played by Tony Wager, and it’s as if the camera crew really found him in the graveyard as they filmed the opening scene. His fear and shame in the beginning of the film is intense; I’m always amazed at the talent of young actors. Jean Simmons played young Estella, and audiences were so transfixed by her cold beauty, she became an instant star.
Another familiar face to look out for is a young Alec Guinness, as the young “pale faced gentleman”. The tragic acting of the cast, and David Lean’s old-style direction that captures the spookiness of Miss Havisham’s world, is superb. There have been so many failed attempts to recapture the magic of Great Expectations, and I’ve seen almost all of them. I didn’t see the 1991 version, in which Jean Simmons plays Miss Havisham, though. I thought that would be rather sad to watch. Save yourself the trouble of hunting down every known version, and buy a copy of the 1946 version. It will become your go-to movie on dark winter nights, believe me.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "daniel dona" for posting!
More Alec Guinness movies here!
More Jean Simmons movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1934's Great Expectations here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1974's Great Expectations here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1998's Great Expectations here!
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Picture of 1947
Best Director: David Lean
Best Supporting Actor: Finlay Currie
Best Supporting Actress: Martita Hunt
Best Musical Score: Walter Goehr