Great Expectations is a British-American television serial based on Charles Dickens' 1861 novel of the same title, with a screenplay by John Goldsmith. Directed by Kevin Connor and produced by Greg Smith, the serial was first broadcast in the US in three parts on The Disney Channel in 1989, and in the UK in six parts on the ITV network in 1991.
Contents
Introduction
Jean Simmons, who played the role of the young Estella in the 1946 film, 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.
Connor and Smith noted that the drama serial format of this production, 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 additional examination of the roles of other characters, such as Biddy, Drummle, Miss Havisham and the adult Estella.
List of episodes
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'
Cast
Anthony Calf as Pip
Anthony Hopkins as Abel Magwitch
Jean Simmons as Miss Havisham
Kim Thomson as Estella
John Rhys-Davies as Joe Gargery
Ray McAnally as Mr Jaggers
Adam Blackwood as Herbert Pocket
Martin Harvey as Young Pip
Susan Franklyn as Biddy
Charles Lewsen as Mr Wemmick
Rosemary McHale as Mrs Gargery
Niven Boyd as Orlick
Sean Arnold as Compeyson
Sarah Crowden as Miss Skiffkins
Arthur Hewlett as The Aged P.
Frank Middlemass as Uncle Pumblechook
John Quentin as Mr Wopsle
Preston Lockwood as Mr Hubble
Eve Pearce as Mrs Hubble
Owen Teale as Bentley Drummle
Simon Warwick as Startop
Locations
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.
Release
The first episode aired on the Disney Channel on July 9, 1989. It was released on video in 1990.