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Great Expectations

Play trailer Poster for Great Expectations 1946 1h 58m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 28 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
In this Dickens adaptation, orphan Pip discovers through lawyer Mr. Jaggers that a mysterious benefactor wishes to ensure that he becomes a gentleman. Reunited with his childhood patron, Miss Havisham, and his first love, the beautiful but emotionally cold Estella, he discovers that the elderly spinster has gone mad from having been left at the altar as a young woman, and has made her charge into a warped, unfeeling heartbreaker.

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Great Expectations

Great Expectations

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Critics Consensus

Furnished with striking visual detail and told with great narrative economy by director David Lean, Great Expectations is an exemplary adaptation of Charles Dickens' dense and episodic novel.

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Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety Mar 26, 2009
Only rabid Dickensians will find fault with the present adaptation, and paradoxically only lovers of Dickens will derive maximum pleasure from the film. Go to Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian Nov 6, 2007
4/5
An unmissable rerelease. Go to Full Review Don Druker Chicago Reader Nov 6, 2007
The graveyard scene is still a shocker, the details are still astonishingly well assembled, and the performances are wonderful. Go to Full Review Andrew Collins Radio Times Jul 22, 2024
5/5
This is superlative film-making from one of Britain's greatest directors. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Oct 6, 2023
David Lean’s handsome adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel captures the warm humor and richness of character that so many filmmakers miss in their reverent recreations of Victorian England. Go to Full Review James Agee The Nation Jun 28, 2021
The film is almost never less than graceful, tasteful, and intelligent, and some of it is better than that. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Henry D @Henry_Domke Jun 8, 2026 This was excellent in so many ways that it belongs near the very top of any list of classic films, and it remains completely enjoyable on repeated viewing. The direction, cinematography, sets, costumes, performances, pacing, and atmosphere are all perfect. Our only reservation was that both of us wished Jean Simmons could somehow have played Estella as both a girl and a woman, rather than having Valerie Hobson take over the older role. Otherwise, it is hard to imagine a better film. Movies don’t get much better than this. See more Kim P @RT98672688 May 19, 2026 An excellent adaptation of a classic novel, this film is beautifully shot and expertly directed. It is also a minor chuckle to see a very young Ob-Wan Kenobi as Pip's friend and roommate. See more Horror fan 4 @Horrorfan4life Apr 24, 2026 Charles Dickens is one of greatest writers ever. This adaptation of his work was done brilliantly. The cast and characters were spot on. The performances were terrific. My only complaint is that it was a little longer than it needed to be. Tim Treakle See more Russ G @RT78760655 Mar 3, 2025 A movie based on a book that was crammed down every 8th Grader's throat back in the 60's. Decent moviemaking for post-war Britain but not something that's going to appear plausible or engaging to modern audiences especially younger ones. See more alan g @agenser Jan 25, 2025 Best version. Nothing more needs to be said. See more Georgan G @RT98616417 Jul 20, 2024 A classic tale acted by some of the best. One of those movies you should have on a desert island. Next I'll be viewing the 1934 & 2012 versions. See more Read all reviews
Great Expectations

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Cast & Crew

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David Lean

Director

John Mills

Pip

Valerie Hobson

Estella

Bernard Miles

Joe Gargery

Francis L. Sullivan

Mr. Jaggers

Finlay Currie

Abel Magwitch

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Great Expectations

Great Expectations (1946) Great Expectations (1946) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In this Dickens adaptation, orphan Pip discovers through lawyer Mr. Jaggers that a mysterious benefactor wishes to ensure that he becomes a gentleman. Reunited with his childhood patron, Miss Havisham, and his first love, the beautiful but emotionally cold Estella, he discovers that the elderly spinster has gone mad from having been left at the altar as a young woman, and has made her charge into a warped, unfeeling heartbreaker.
Director
David Lean
Producer
Anthony Havelock-Allan, Ronald Neame
Screenwriter
David Lean, Ronald Neame, Anthony Havelock-Allan
Production Co
Cineguild
Genre
Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 26, 1946, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 22, 2017
Runtime
1h 58m
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