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Cast

John Mills
as Pip

Valerie Hobson
as Estella

Jean Simmons
as Young Estella

Anthony Wager
as Young Pip

Bernard Miles
as Joe Gargery

Finlay Currie
as Magwitch

Martita Hunt
as Miss Havisham

Alec Guinness
as Pocket

Ivor Barnard
as Wemmick

Freda Jackson
as Mrs. Gargery

Everley Gregg
as Sarah Pocket

Torin Thatcher
as Drummle

Eileen Erskine
as Biddy

Hay Petrie
as Uncle Pumblechook

Grace Denbeigh-Russell
as Mrs. Wopsle

Francis L. Sullivan
as Jaggers

Richard George
as The Sergeant

Everly Gregg
as Sarah Pocket

John Burch
as Mr. Wopsle

O.B. Clarence
as Aged Parent

Grace Denbigh Russell
as Mrs. Wopsle

John Forrest
as Pale Young Gentleman

Anne Holland
as A Relation

Frank Atkinson
as Mike

Gordon Begg
as Night Porter

George 'Gabby' Hayes
as Compeyson

Edie Martin
as Mrs. Whimple

Walford Hyden
as Dancing Master

Roy Arthur
as Galley Steersman

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Critic Reviews for Great Expectations

Audience Reviews for Great Expectations

• Jul 25, 2018

  Underneath the action of Dickens tale, with wonderful direction and heartfelt acting (particularly by the ladies!), is a poignant illustration of the longing for class and status as a necessary means of survival, a way to forbear the ills and evils of the world. By the reckoning of the film, poverty is the worst that the world has to offer. A luminous work.
  Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
• Apr 22, 2016

  There have been at least half a dozen adaptations of Charles Dicken's novel "Great Expectations" over the course of film history and David Lean's 1946 adaptation stands above them as the best. Lean's film isn't just the best adaptation of a Dickens novel, but one of the greatest films ever. The cinematography by Guy Green is absolutely gorgeous with scenes of beautiful landscapes as the sun sets and characters silhouetted over the fading sun. The set decorations of Miss Havisham's (Martita Hunt) room she won't leave are creepy and beautiful at the same time. Scenes play out as you remember Dickens writing them. There's a nice pace to this story and never once does Lean's film linger or stutter. Pip is played by John Mills as an adult when he is supposed to be in his early twenties, he was well into his late thirties at the time of filming. Mills looks old, but despite that, he displays the naiveté and gullibleness expected of the character on his journey to becoming a gentleman.
  

  Joseph B Super Reviewer
• Oct 02, 2013

  Not my favourite Lean film. I still think that a great Great Expectations is yet to come. It's a great tale that eludes a good telling from a cinematic point of view. Despite the all star cast here, it doesn't quite meet with the expectations of the written form.
  

  John B Super Reviewer
• Jan 09, 2011

  Not the masterpiece David Lean's Oliver Twist is, but still a flawless adaptation from novel by Charles Dickens with stunning cinematic landscapes and deft direction, and a terrific cast. 97/100
  Simeon D Super Reviewer

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