SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

I decided to watch this just off the cusp tonigt, and I can honestly say it was not what I was expecting! There were a huge amount of twists and turns, which made me not want to take my eyes off the screen. I recommend anyone to watch this classic film, which in my opinion is what a film should be, the thrills, the tension, the drama, the writing, the acting by the entire cast, and not to mention David Lean's superb direction! 10/10

"Great Expectations" is another Dickens novel adapted for the screen and directed by David Lean. I recently saw "Oliver Twist" and thought it was exceptional in all respects, and I would put "Great Expectations" in the same category. Both pictures excel especially in two areas; acting and photography, and I should also mention their faithfulness to the original story.David Lean said he wanted no other actor for Pip than John Mills, and it would seem he was right, as Mills captured the essence of Pip to the last jot. Martita Hunt as Miss Havisham was an inspired choice, but the best choice was Francis L. Sullivan as Jaggers. Sullivan elevated any film he appeared in with his bigger-than-life characterizations and his elegant speaking voice, a George Sanders sound-alike.It's all been said in many other reviews, so I just wanted to weigh in with these few comments above. With Cineguild and The Archers, British film production reached its zenith during the 40's to mid 50's, and since that time the movie industry has not been able to recapture the same standard of excellence on either side of the Atlantic, form over substance being the rule nowadays.

I read Dicken's novel long before seeing this film and found it to be the masterwork of a great master.  I had also seen numerous adaptations of Dicken's works, most of them quite satisfactory, even great, as might well be expected when working from such quality material.  I thus settled down to a viewing of David Lean's "Great Expectations" with rather high expectations-pun somewhat intended.  My expectations were not high enough, much to my joy, as I found myself experiencing a masterwork in it's own right.  To Dickens fans and Lean fans alike, those who have not seen this movie, I can only say that you owe it to yourself to see this film.  I echo the sentiments of many of the reviewers here;  this film is nearly perfect in every aspect, and reaches an almost transcendent level, taking it's place among other exemplars of high art forms.

There are only a few directors who can take a Classic Book and create a equally Classic movie. Written by Charles Dickens, it was transferred to the Silver Screen in 1946, by David Lean. It relates the story of young 'Pip' ( Tony Wager) who was orphaned and sent to live with in laws. While there he is set as apprentice to learn the Blacksmith trade and one dark night has an encounter with two escape convicts. However it is as a youngster, he comes to visit a strange old woman with a secret agenda for pip. Rich, solitary and always morose the old woman called Miss Havisham (Martita Hunt) brings pip in contact with a pretty young girl named Estella (Jean Simmons) to be his companion. The two grow to adulthood, becoming fond of one another. During the following years Pip suddenly comes into enough money to become a Gentleman, yet never knowing just who has becomes his patron. The Black and White movie has become a worthwhile movie and a Classic. The list of Cast Members add resonance to the film and indeed notable in their own right. Actors such as John Mills, Valerie Hobson and Alec Guinness. This movie is easily recommended to all. Great Book and Great Movie. ****