Great Expectations (Masterpiece Theatre, 1999)
starring: Ioan Gruffudd; Justine Waddell; Charlotte Rampling; Angela Sims; Hugh Lloyd; Laila Morse; Gemma Gregory; Sarah Durham (II); Roland Manookian; Nicholas Woodeson; Ian McDiarmid; Jo Cameron Brown; Selina Cadell; Clive Russell; Philippa Stanton; Laurence Dobiesz; Nicholas Blane; Bernard Hill; Timothy Tranter; Sandra Voe
directed by: Julian Jarrold
directed by: Julian Jarrold
List Price: $29.95
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Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Audience Rating: Unrated
Binding: DVD
Brand: WGBH BOSTON VIDEO
EAN: 9781593752064
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
ISBN: 1593752067
Label: WGBH BOSTON
Manufacturer: WGBH BOSTON
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: WGBH BOSTON
Region Code: 1
Release Date: September 28, 2004
Running Time: 180 minutes
Sales Rank: 18398
Studio: WGBH BOSTON
Theatrical Release Date: May 09, 1999
Related Items:
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- Jane Eyre (Masterpiece Theatre, 2006)
- Masterpiece Theatre: Northanger Abbey
- Our Mutual Friend
- see more
Editorial Review:
Description:
Ioan Gruffudd, Justine Waddell and Charlotte Rampling star in this adaptation of Charles Dickens' enduring classic Great Expectations, the story of a young orphan named Pip who lives with his sister and her blacksmith husband, Joe.
One day Pip is sent to play at the residence of Miss Havisham, a frightening, elderly woman who seems locked in the past. She wears ancient bridal attire and never moves from the dusty upper rooms of her home. Miss Havisham's beautiful but contemptuous ward, Estella, makes Pip feel appallingly inferior, creating in him a desire to better himself—changing his life forever. But despite his efforts to improve himself, the frustrated Pip seems destined to remain Joe's apprentice. Until one day a lawyer calls to inform Pip that he has 'great expectations:' Pip is to be released form his apprenticeship and educated in London as a gentleman! The benefactor who has made this life transformation possible, however, wishes to remain anonymous.
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
Average Rating: 
Rating:
- Mood is the Strong Point in Jarrold's 'Expectations'Julian Jarrold's adaptation shines not because of its faithfulness to the plot of the novel, but because ... Read More
Rating:
- My expectations were groundlessI bought this DVD to see a very true interpretation of my favorite Dickens' novel. The movie itself is special ... Read More
Rating:
- 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 ... Read More
Rating:
- 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 ... Read More
Rating:
- bad DVD productionThe video quality of this fine adaptation is terrible. I've been waiting years for a DVD release only to be dissapointed ... Read More
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Copyright ©2003, Mark Carey.