Great Expectations (1989 TV series)

Great Expectations is a British-American television serial based on Charles Dickens' 1861 novel of the same title. The serial was first broadcast in the US in three parts[1] on The Disney Channel in 1989,[2][3] and in the UK in six parts on the ITV network in 1991.[4]

Great Expectations
Based onGreat Expectations
1861 novel
by Charles Dickens
Written byJohn Goldsmith
Directed byKevin Connor
Starring
Music byKen Thorne
Country of originUnited Kingdom/USA
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes3
Production
ProducerGreg Smith
CinematographyDouglas Milsome
EditorBarry Peters
Running time120 mins per episode
Production companiesHTV
Primetime Television Ltd.
Tesauro Television
Walt Disney Television
Release
Original networkThe Disney Channel
Original release9 July (1989-07-09) –
11 July 1989 (1989-07-11) (USA)

Jean Simmons, who played the role of the young Estella in the 1946 movie, played Miss Havisham in the 1989 version. Other key roles include John Rhys-Davies as Joe Gargery, Ray McAnally as Jaggers, Anthony Calf as the adult Pip, Kim Thomson as both young and adult Estella, Adam Blackwood as Herbert Pocket, Anthony Hopkins as Abel Magwitch, Niven Boyd as Orlick, Susan Franklyn as Biddy and Martin Harvey as young Pip. Having the same actress play Estella as a child and adult provided a smoother transition in following the character than in some adaptations.

Serial format

The drama serial format, running 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.

Plot summary

Cast

Locations
Harty church on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent – scene in the TV series for the moment when the orphan Pip meets the escaped convict, Magwitch.

Harty Church on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent was used for the moment when young orphan Pip, whilst visiting his parents' grave, meets the escaped convict, Abel Magwitch. Upnor Village was used as the home of Herbert Pocket's fiancée Clara's house. Upnor Lighthouse is visible as Pip docks in the village.[5]

References
  1. Pointer, Michael (1996). Charles Dickens on the Screen. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press. p. 192; ISBN 0-8108-2960-6.
  2. Rosenberg, Howard (7 July 1989). "Disney Miniseries Lives Up to ‘Great Expectations’". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  3. Rule, Sheila (2 July 1989). "TELEVISION; A Great 'Great Expectations' Haunts a TV Version" The New York Times. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  4. Radio Times, 20–26 July 1991
  5. Kent Film Office. "Kent Film Office Great Expectations Film Focus".
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