It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

The acting in this movie is really good.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

This is a very enjoyable film which follows the novel pretty well.I found the recreation of Victorian England very well done, especially the scenes in Pip's London apartments and Jaggers' offices. The outdoor scenes on the marshes are wonderful and show the strength of black and white in those cases.John Mills grated a little for me, but that's probably just a personal preference and I could never see the attraction in Bernard Miles.All-in-all well worth a viewing.

After recently watching Oliver Twist, Brief Encounter and This Happy Breed I thought I'd give this a viewing. But I'm afraid I couldn't finish it. I'm not a Dickens fan but his books can make good movies. But this one is too old-fashioned. For example, the scene in which Pip is thrashed by Mrs Gargery, his hurt is ignored by the director. Doesn't work today., that sort of violence to children treated as par for the course.

John Mills, Valerie Hobson, Alec Guinness, Jean Simmons and Martita Hunt star in this exceptional film adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel. Period. More lines to say how "great" this film really is? From setting the mood right from the opening scene to all the supporting actors, including the young man as Young Pip, this is one Grade A++ film to not miss. If you claim to like British movies and have not seen this, then you have missed the boat. This is one of director David Lean's earliest masterpieces. All of the major stars shine, but Martita Hunt was particularly good in her role. And, Alec Guinness, who is more of a supporting character in this tale, stands out in his own inimitable way. Oh, the plot? Well, if you've never read the book, it's better to watch it knowing nothing. Just sit back and immerse yourself in the imagination of Charles Dickens. Care, precision, and love was taken to translate Dickens' story onto celluloid. Miss this and you're not a lover of film.

I read Dicken's novel long before seeing this film and found it to be the masterwork of a great master.  I had also seen numerous adaptations of Dicken's works, most of them quite satisfactory, even great, as might well be expected when working from such quality material.  I thus settled down to a viewing of David Lean's "Great Expectations" with rather high expectations-pun somewhat intended.  My expectations were not high enough, much to my joy, as I found myself experiencing a masterwork in it's own right.  To Dickens fans and Lean fans alike, those who have not seen this movie, I can only say that you owe it to yourself to see this film.  I echo the sentiments of many of the reviewers here;  this film is nearly perfect in every aspect, and reaches an almost transcendent level, taking it's place among other exemplars of high art forms.