While this version wasn't technically the first, it's universally referred to as "the original" adaptation of Charles Dickens's novel Great Expectations. If you don't know the story, it follows the journey of a poor young boy Pip who is sent to play with the beautiful Estella, by request of the wealthy and strange Miss Havisham. He sees his commonness in contrast to her delicate beauty, and resolves to become a gentleman when he grows up, so that he might be worthy of her. There's a lot more to the story than that, but if you want to learn more, either pick up the book or rent the 1946 film version. The original really is the best.John Mills plays grown-up Pip, and it's hard to watch any other version—out of the dozens of remakes out there—without comparing other actors to him. Plus, he looks very handsome in 1800s costumes! Young Pip is played by Tony Wager, and it's as if the camera crew really found him in the graveyard as they filmed the opening scene. His fear and shame in the beginning of the film is intense; I'm always amazed at the talent of young actors. Jean Simmons played young Estella, and audiences were so transfixed by her cold beauty, she became an instant star.Another familiar face to look out for is a young Alec Guinness, as the young "pale faced gentleman". The tragic acting of the cast, and David Lean's old-style direction that captures the spookiness of Miss Havisham's world, is superb. There have been so many failed attempts to recapture the magic of Great Expectations, and I've seen almost all of them. I didn't see the 1991 version, in which Jean Simmons plays Miss Havisham, though. I thought that would be rather sad to watch. Save yourself the trouble of hunting down every known version, and buy a copy of the 1946 version. It will become your go-to movie on dark winter nights, believe me.

The movie roles along nicely until the announcement of the benefactor in the blacksmith's shop. I expected Pip at that time to be a young man still working on his apprenticeship, yet the actor playing the role, John Mills, is 37 years old at the time.Though closer in age to her character, Estella, played by Valerie Hobson, is 10 years beyond being a teenager at the time of filming as well. John Mills is an excellent actor, but his casting in this movie, based on his mature features, certainly pushes this past the realm of believability.

Young Pip has a hard life: His parents have died, he lives with his shrewish sister, and he's destined to be a lowly blacksmith. Fate smiles on him, however, when a mysterious old lady pays him to play at her estate. It's there he meets the love of his life, the beautiful, but heartless, Estella.This is a great Dickens story, full of emotional ups and downs, following Pip from childhood to adulthood. Tony Wager is endearing as the sweet younger Pip and John Mills is equally sympathetic as adult Pip. Teenaged Jean Simmons is remarkably lovely as the bred-to-be-cruel Estella.The 1946 David Lean movie has many twists and turns and a warm, satisfying ending. Outstanding in every way and a true classic.

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.