Great Expectations 1989 (3 Disc DVD Set) Color Shown in original aspect ratio Approx. 303 min. Playable in North America (the US, Canada, Mexico, etc.)
Starring: Jean Simmons, John Rhys-Davies, Ray McAnally, Anthony Calf, Kim Thomson, Adam Blackwood and Anthony Hopkins. Written by Charles Dickens (novel) and John Goldsmith. Directed by Kevin Connor.
Phillip "Pip" Pirrip (Anthony Calf) meets a convict (Anthony Hopkins) in a graveyard and this very strange meeting sets into motion a series of events that lead him from a comfortable life in his brother-in-law's forge to a mysterious inheritance and his acquaintance with the eerie Miss Havisham (Jean Simmons), her beautiful ward Estella (Kim Thomson), and the unusual lawyer Mr. Jaggers (Ray McAnally).
Chapter One: An Eerie World
Chapter Two: The Secret Benefactor
Chapter Three: The Education of a Gentleman
Chapter Four: A Decaying Life
Chapter Five: The Hunt for Magwitch
Chapter Six: Late Regret
Initially shown in the USA during the Summer of 1989 on the Disney Channel as a 3-part serial, each episode running 2 hours (including commercials). It was broadcast in the UK 2 years later, as a 6 part serial on the ITV network, each episode fitting an hour-long slot.
The drama serial format, running approx. five hours, enabled much more of the original story to be filmed than other versions, allowed the restoration of significant characters omitted in other versions, such as Orlick and Wopsle, and the better examination of the roles of other characters, such as Biddy, Drummle, Miss Havisham and the adult Estella. The result is more understandable plot development, and the revelation of themes of the work that tend to be obscured in shorter versions, such as class striving and the values of character vs. wealth. This version takes relatively few liberties with characters and plot turns, and adheres closely to Dickens' published ending.
Jean Simmons (Miss Havisham) previously played the young Estella in Great Expectations (1946).