Product Description

Is the story of the orphan Pip and his tireless struggle to escape his apparent destiny as a blacksmith s apprentice.Miss Havisham a vengeful woman frozen in time irrevocably changes Pip s simple life when she invites him into her home to entertain her young ward Estella. A beautiful girl raised in Miss Havisham s image Estella s contemptuous air creates intense feelings of inferiority in Pip.Pip believes he is condemned to the life of a tradesman. Until that is an anonymous benefactor sends word that Pip is to be released from his apprenticeship and educated in London as a gentleman. Educated and groomed as her equal and full of great expectations Pip resolves to prove to Estella that he s changed and with her elusive heart.System Requirements: Running Time 180 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 783421337596 Manufacturer No: WG33759

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13149 in DVD
• Brand: WGBH BOSTON VIDEO
• Released on: 2004-09-28
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
• Original language: English, Greek
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds
• Running time: 180 minutes

Amazon.com
This capable and intelligent adaptation of Charles Dickens's classic novel is one in a long line of Great Expectations put to film. But this two-part drama distinguishes itself with its faithfulness to the book and outstanding performances by the principal cast. Ioan Gruffudd plays the adult Pip, an orphan who lives with his sister and her kindly blacksmith husband. Pip's life changes when he is sent for by Miss Haversham (Charlotte Rampling), an eccentric and wealthy spinster who wears only her bridal gown, which she was wearing when she was left at the altar years before. Introduced to Estella (played later as a woman by Justine Waddell), Miss Haversham's contemptuous ward, Pip falls in love with the girl and spends the remainder of his youth attempting to be good enough for her--a state of affairs that suddenly seems possible when a mysterious benefactor makes Pip's education as a London gentleman possible. Gruffudd is a fine choice for the central character, and his naturally intense expression underscores Pip's problems with insecurity and sense of deservedness. Waddell is an appropriately solipsistic Estella, slightly reminiscent of Vivien Leigh, and Rampling's casting is an unexpected but terrific move on the filmmaker's part. The veteran actress's career-long air of mystery, vague suffering, and intense sexuality bring a potent power to Miss Haversham's baleful looks. Dickens would be proud of this one. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

My expectations were groundless
I bought this DVD to see a very true interpretation of my favorite Dickens' novel. The movie itself is special and makes the wonderful mood. But this DVD contains the advertising - the big emblem which appeares every 15 minutes in the right bottom corner of your screen. It overlaps the picture and what is worse - you can't dip into the motion. It appeares twelve times all throughout the movie and is always very disturbing. I felt that I spent my money not well, because of this stupid interupting advertising. I was disappointed. But in the rest of things it is a wonderful movie.

Mr. Dickens's divorce affected this story.
Actress, Justine Waddell, who was great as the sweet and wonderful Molly in "Wives and Daughters", co-stars. Here she plays an attractive woman dealing with a young man infatuated with her. Here her character is not so sweet and not so wonderful. She plays this part effectively as you feel the young man's emptiness. This sub-plot, with more focus, could tell a good moral about the difference between infatuation and true love, but I don't like the whole story this sub-plot is within, and the weird scene with the old lady in her old house. This story needs a contrasting character pursuing deeper love.

The 1981-version has a better first episode; but then drags.
The 1947-version is better, with John Mills, father of Haley Mills.

The book's author, Charles Dickens, married his wife Catherine in 1836. They were together 21-years, and had ten children. During his marriage he wrote his brilliant novels: "Oliver Twist" 1839, "A Christmas Carol" 1843, and "David Copperfield" 1850. Mr. Dickens divorced his wife in 1858. Mr. Dickens wrote the story "Great Expectations" after his divorce in 1861. Divorce affects everyone no matter the circumstances.

Unlike "Great Expectations", Mr. Dickens's great novels have a high-minded thought; balance with moments of cheer, triumph for the main character, adventure, and interesting characters. A novel is not a classic just because it is old and assigned in English class. "Great Expectations" lacks the charm that make his other stories true classics.

Charles Dickens's book "Oliver Twist" is wordy for all but the imaginative and quick reader. "Oliver Twist" DVD's are great for all, because the story has been so polished by so many people. Before TV, before movies, before radio, every town had theatre that performed plays. Every town in England and America performed the play "Oliver Twist". For 90-years until sound movies became common, all these towns kept improving the play "Oliver Twist", until today, on DVD the polished story skips along with great lines. The story "Great Expectations" did not get this polishing in the theatre. "Great Expectations" needs more than polishing. Take the many interesting ideas, drop the dreary, and rewrite the story with more uplifting purpose.

The Production is Great......But dont Buy this DVD
Even though I have never read the book I found this Production very good.
I would recommend this to any one who is a Dickens Fan but do youself a favour and dont buy this DVD release.
As a British review on Amazon uk site indicated this DVD looks as if it was copied straight off the TV and also the commentary in the beginning and end of the movie telling us about the Great Expectations novel made the DVD worse.
Masterpiece Theatre has spoiled this Great BBC Production of Dickens Great Expectations with it's Commentary (even though they think they are being helpful- but are not) and poor DVD.
Four Stars for the Production itself but giving this Two stars because of the DVD quaility.
Wait until BBC Release a DVD of the Production and the DVD quaility will be much, much better.
I will be selling this DVD and wait until BBC release the DVD in Australia.