Great Expectations (1946)

Directed by: David Lean | 118 minutes | drama, romance | Actors: John Mills, Tony Wager, Valerie Hobson, Jean Simmons, Bernard Miles, Francis L. Sullivan, Finlay Currie, Martita Hunt, Alec Guinness, Ivor Barnard, Freda Jackson, Eileen Erskine, George Hayes, Hay Petrie, John Forrest, Torin Thatcher, O.B. Clarence

English director David Lean has left a fine legacy of film classics, including Oscar-winning films like ‘Doctor Zhivago’, ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ and ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’. Lean’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ ‘Great Expectations’ is also one of his fine series of classics. An example of a fine example of cinematography that David Lean shows in ‘Great Expectations’ is that he immediately succeeds in creating a mysterious and dark atmosphere through the opening scene of ‘Great Expectations’. The orphaned boy Pip (Anthony Wagner) runs over a kind of dike. The only sound you hear is the rushing wind. When Pip gets to a graveyard, the crackling of tree branches is added to it. Because of the perspectives that Lean uses, he already subtly suggests a threat. Wagner complements this nicely with his good body language like a fearful Pip. In the scene where Pip meets inmate Magwitch (Finlay Currie), the young actor shows off a fine piece of acting. Also opponent Currie is very convincing as Magwitch. His dark voice and appearance make him a credible criminal.

Magwitch convinces Pip to bring him food and a file so he can escape. Pip returns to the home of his sister (Freda Jackson) and her husband Joe (Bernard Miles), who have been raising him since the death of their parents. There awaits him a beating from his tyrannical sister. Even Joe doesn’t dare go against his wife’s will. The next morning, Pip brings the requested items to Magwitch. After this incident, Pip’s life continues as usual until he is unexpectedly invited by Mrs. Havisham (Martita Hunt). The outside world no longer exists for this wealthy lady. Havisham lives withdrawn in her house where she has no idea of ​​the days and time. When Pip arrives at the residence, he is welcomed by Havisham’s protégé Estella (Jean Simmons). Mrs. Havisham’s company pleases Mrs. Havisham and she encourages him to play with Estella. Pip is deeply impressed by Estella, despite her treating him like dirt. At Mrs. Havisham’s request, Pip keeps coming back and resolves to become a gentleman in order to win Estella’s cool heart…

It’s a touching moment when, at Estella’s request, Pip kisses her cheek. Wagner knows how to show Pip’s adoration in an unforced way. And Simmons is sublime at giving snobbish looks that indicate just the opposite.

When the young interpreters of the main characters are exchanged by the adult actors John Mills and Valerie Hobson, it is time to switch. But Mills manages to hold onto that same adoration that Wagner was able to express beautifully. Hobson, on the other hand, is less strong in her facial expression than her young colleague Simmons in order to convey the haughtiness of her character, but manages to compensate for this loss with the intonation of her voice.

Alec Guinness has a nice supporting role as Pip’s roommate and companion Herbert Pocket. Guinness will be known to many for his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the ‘Star Wars’ films or for his Oscar-winning role as Colonel Nicholson in ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’. But compared to Martita Hunt, Guinness looks pale. Hunt is really in her element as the eccentric Mrs. Havisham who is dressed every day in a wedding dress and has nefarious intentions with Pip.

Although the film world is now dominated by color images and 3D effects, ‘Great Expectations’ from 1948 still manages to impress. This is due to the beautiful cinematography and strong acting from Mills, Wagner, Currie and Hunt. The time and effort visibly put into the sets also contribute to the high quality of this film. For example, Mrs. Havisham’s house exudes sadness, due to, among other things, the details in her living room such as cobwebs and many layers of cloth.

From start to finish, you’ll be captivated to find out how the story of the orphaned boy Pip unfolds. Lean’s film adaptation of ‘Great Expectations’ beautifully brings the age-old story to life and captures Dickens’ zeitgeist beautifully.