John Mills has “Great Expectations” in the David Lean adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic

Great Expectations (1946) is a British drama directed by David Lean and based on the 1861 novel by Charles Dickens and starring John Mills and Valerie Hobson. The strong supporting cast included Jean Simmons, Finlay Currie, Martita Hunt, Torin Thatcher, and Alec Guinness. The cinematography by Guy Green won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White.

Orphan Phillip “Pip” Pirrip (Anthony Wager) lives with his mean older sister and her kindhearted blacksmith husband, Joe Gargery. While visiting his parents’ graves, Pip meets Abel Magwitch, an escaped convict (Currie). Magwitch intimidates young Pip into bringing him tools to remove his chains. Pip brings him the tools and food too. Magwitch thanks him for his efforts but is eventually captured and sent to jail.

An eccentric spinster named Miss Havisham (Hunt) arranges to have Pip provide companionship for her adopted daughter Estella (Jean Simmons). Estella treats Pip cruelly but he is entranced by her beauty and finds himself falling in love with her.

As Pip (Mills) grows older, a secret benefactor provides him with money and privilege in London. Pip has no idea who his benefactor is. The lawyer Mr. Jaggers says that his benefactor wants to remain anonymous. Pip still pines for Estella (Hobson) even though she still treats him indifferently.

Will Pip ever discover his benefactor and will he find true love with Estella?

Alec Guinness and John Mills

Great Expectations trivia

• Alec Guinness and Martita Hunt were both in the stage production of Great Expectations.
• This was Guinness’s first significant screen role. It was the first of six movies he would make with Lean.
• Jean Simmons who played young Estella would go on to play Miss Havisham in the 1989 TV mini-series.
• David Lean had never read any Dickens when it was suggested that he direct an adaptation.
• Tony Wager who played young Pip was three years younger than Jean Simmons.

 

To watch the movie on YouTube, click here.

 

 

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Discussion questions

1. If you are familiar with the novel, how close do you think the film was to the book?
2. This film made John Mills a major star in England. What did you think of his performance?
3. Many critics thought that Valerie Hobson was miscast as Estella. Do you agree?
4. The film won an Academy Award for its black-and-white cinematography. Do you think it was well deserved?
5. Did you have a favorite character actor or performance?
6. This film is widely considered the best screen adaptation of a Dickens novel. Do you agree?