Great Expectations (TV Movie 1999)

Great Expectations (TV Movie 1999). 2h 48m

“I have always enjoyed the old David Lean version in spite of the fact that it is so abridged and has a u0026quot;Hollywoodu0026quot; happy ending. This version of u0026#39;Great Expectationsu0026#39; knocked me back by its fidelity to the original book… I had not expected to see it filmed with the bittersweet and ambiguous ending that is employed here with such a powerful effect.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThere is nothing in the nature of the usual cinematic mawkishness that so often accompanies adaptations of Dickens books to film. Nothing exaggerated, nothing glossed over. The characters are flesh and blood and their emotions are vividly characterized by a wonderful cast of performers.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIoan Gruffudd, Justine Waddell and Charlotte Rampling are fabulous as Pip, Estella and Miss Havisham. Ramplingu0026#39;s Havisham is terrifying in her quiet way, like the ghost of a dead princess haunting her huge Satis House. Waddellu0026#39;s Estella is the truly tragic figure, as in the book. She has been prevented from developing the u0026quot;loving mechanismu0026quot; found in most human beings. Waddellu0026#39;s conveyance of this dilemma is profoundly moving. Gruffuddu0026#39;s highly responsive Pip is also deeply felt. Their younger counterparts, played by two wonderful young actors, Gabriel Thompson and Gemma Gregory, possess uncanny resemblances to Gruffudd and Waddell. One of the best transitions in time, as far as character development, Iu0026#39;ve ever seen. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe photography is utterly beautiful, the music haunting and memorable in its stark simplicity. It is rare that I notice the editing but this film is so perfectly put together that I took clear notice of the artistry at work in that department.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFor Dickens addicts this film is a must for your collection; for lovers of great cinema I would say the same thing. This version of u0026#39;Great Expectationsu0026#39; SHOULD have been a major film release in the theaters. Even if it had been more than the four hours it takes in the TV adaption, longer even, I think it would have had a greater following than it enjoys. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eJulian Jerroldu0026#39;s u0026#39;Great Expectationsu0026#39; joins the short list of the finest productions out of Masterpiece Theatreu0026#39;s stables, along with u0026#39;I Claudiusu0026#39;, u0026#39;The Jewel in the Crownu0026#39; and u0026#39;Brideshead Revisited.u0026#39;u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSee it!”