Great Expectations
Release date 26th December 1946
Country : UK
Running time : 118 mins
Genre : Drama
Starring John Mills, Bernard Miles, Finlay Currie, Martita Hunt, Valerie Hobson, Jean Simmons
 Screenplay based on the novel by Charles Dickens
Directed by David Lean



A boy encounters an escaped convict on Romney marshes and the encounter changes his life.

The best Dickens adaptation ever made starting with one of the most arresting and atmospheric openings in film history. Of course there are simplications for the medium of film but it is never less than graceful and intelligent in its adaptation.

 

This was the first major screen appearance of a David Lean regular Alec Guinness. He was very nervous and self conscious when filming began finding the wig he was to wear uncomfortable.