Actors: Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane
Directors: Mike Newell
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
DVD Release Date: April 15, 2014
Run Time: 128 minutes
Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1.5 out of 5 stars
I feel like it is every year or two we get a new adaption of the Charles Dickens’ classic novel, “Great Expectations”. This latest one is from the director of “Four Weddings And A Funeral”, Mike Newell and packs a lot cast including Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter in roles they were born to play. They seem almost effortless for them yet so well executed. I also quite enjoyed the 2011 BBC miniseries starring Gillian Anderson and Ray Winstone. This film adaption managed to still do the job and in much less time. I have no idea what took this film over a year to get released finally but glad it did. Dickens’ fans should give it a look for sure.
Official Premise: Young orphan Pip finds his life changed forever soon after encountering and lending assistance to escaped convict Magwitch (Fiennes) on the marshlands near his home. Later, after being summoned to attend the stately home of Miss Havisham (Carter) and finding himself mesmerised by the old lady’s beautiful but cold-hearted niece, Estella (Helena Barlow/Holliday Grainger), Pip learns that he has been granted an inheritance by a mysterious benefactor. After moving to London to be educated as a gentleman under the guardianship of lawyer Mr. Jaggers (Coltrane), a now adult Pip (Irvine), believing he now has the necessary social standing, sets about convincing Estella that he is worthy of her love.
20th Century Fox delivers us this film with a combo pack including a Blu-ray and Ultraviolet Digital Copy. The costumes in this film are outstanding and the sets are equally amazing. Everything really pops off the screen and is quite colorful making this look very stunning within its 1080p transfer. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track also works very well with the film’s haunting score. In terms of special features though, there is not much content here. There is an extra taken from the film’s premiere and a trailer included. Would have loved to see a commentary track here from the talent or at least the director.