Great Expectations - Another version

[dremble wedge]

A new version of Great Expectations started filming last week and will be released next year. Directed by Mike Newell and adapted by David Nicholls it features Jeremy Irvine, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ewen Bremner, Jason Flemyng, Sally Hawkins, Tamzin Outhwaite, David Walliams and Holliday Grainger.

We've already got a new TV version due to be broadcast on the BBC around Christmas time with Mark Addy, Gillian Anderson, Frances Barber, Harry Lloyd, Paul Rhys, Claire Rushbrook, David Suchet and Ray Winstone amongst others.

But oddly, BBC Films are behind the Mike Nerwell version too

[Timmy_Lea]

Have we reached saturation point with adaptations of classic literature?!? Unless something bold & fresh can be done with the adaptation I fail to see why they bother?

[CaptainWaggett]

Jeremy Irvine has certainly hit the big time quickly - he's the juvenile lead in Spielberg's War Horse.

[Windthrop]

Have we reached saturation point with adaptations of classic literature?!? Unless something bold & fresh can be done with the adaptation I fail to see why they bother?

New versions might get closer to the letter of the novel but David Lean's version is still the most atmospheric and gets the very bone-marrow of the novel despite jettisoning many sub-plots and tacking on a happy ending.

[Timmy_Lea]

New versions might get closer to the letter of the novel but David Lean's version is still the most atmospheric and gets the very bone-marrow of the novel despite jettisoning many sub-plots and tacking on a happy ending.

I enjoyed Alfonso Cuarón's version with Ethan Hawke, Robert De Niro & Gwyneth Paltrow. It took the story & set it in contemporary New York.

[faginsgirl]

I will watch it for Helena, that`s all. As you all know, I am a great Dickens fan, but there are only so many adaptations you can spew out before you need a 20 year rest.

Like many other Dickens novels, Great Expectations has been filmed several times, including:

1917 – a silent film, starring Jack Pickford, directed by Robert G. Vignola.
1922 – a silent film, made in Denmark, starring Martin Herzberg, directed by A.W. Sandberg.
1934 – Great Expectations film starring Phillips Holmes and Jane Wyatt, directed by Stuart Walker.
1946 – Great Expectations film starring John Mills as Pip, Valerie Hobson as Estella and Jean Simmons as Young Estella, directed by David Lean.
1954 – a two part television version starring Roddy McDowall as Pip and Estelle Winwood as Miss Havisham. It aired as an episode of the show Robert Montgomery Presents.
1959 – a BBC television version starring Dinsdale Landen as Pip, Helen Lindsay as Estella and Derek Benfield as Landlord.
1967 – a television serial starring Gary Bond and Francesca Annis.
1974 – Great Expectations – a film starring Michael York and Sarah Miles, directed by Joseph Hardy.
1975 – Stage Musical (London West End). Music by Cyril Ornadel, starring Sir John Mills. Ivor Novello Award for Best British Musical.
1981 – Great Expectations – a BBC serial starring Stratford Johns, Gerry Sunquist, Joan Hickson, Patsy Kensit and Sarah-Jane Varley. Produced by Barry Letts, and directed by Julian Amyes.
1983 – an animated children's version, starring Phillip Hinton, Liz Horne, Robin Stewart, and Bill Kerr.
1989 – Great Expectations – a film starring Anthony Hopkins as Magwitch and Jean Simmons as Miss Havisham, directed by Kevin Connor.
1998 – Great Expectations a film starring Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow, directed by Alfonso Cuarón.
1999 – Great Expectations a film starring Ioan Gruffudd as Pip, Justine Waddell as Estella, and Charlotte Rampling as Miss Havisham (Masterpiece Theatre—TV)
2009 – Directed by Steve Eagles at 'The Gantry' with Emily Jean, Reza Rajraj, Holly Granger, Hannah Scott and Sam Walshaw.
2009 – Performed at Theatre Clwyd by Graham Bickley, Eleanor Howell, Steven Meo, Rhiannon Oliver, Greg Palmer, Vivien Parry, Robert Perkins, Steffan Rhodri, Simon Watts and directed by Tim Baker.
2011 - a new BBC adaptation written by Sarah Phelps, directed by Brian Kirk and starring Douglas Booth as Pip, Vanessa Kirby as Estella, Gillian Anderson as Miss Havisham, Ray Winstone as Abel Magwitch, David Suchet as Jaggers, Shaun Dooley as Joe Gargery, Claire Rushbrook as Mrs Joe and Harry Lloyd as Herbert

[dremble wedge]

Perhaps someone needs to smuggle a copy of Barnaby Rudge into the BBC commissioning department

[Timmy_Lea]

We need Great Expectations. . .in space!! (with a Dr Who budget)

[CaptainWaggett]

Perhaps someone needs to smuggle a copy of Barnaby Rudge into the BBC commissioning department

Well, we've got The Mystery of Edwin Drood to look forward to. I'm hoping it's like the musical version and we get to vote on the ending

[faginsgirl]

Perhaps someone needs to smuggle a copy of Barnaby Rudge into the BBC commissioning department

Exactly! Or Dombey and son.

[faginsgirl]

Well, we've got The Mystery of Edwin Drood to look forward to. I'm hoping it's like the musical version and we get to vote on the ending

For a moment I thought the cast list included Roy Kinnear

[dremble wedge]

Exactly! Or Dombey and son.

IIRC Andrew Davies was due to adapt Dombey and Son for the BBC but it was dropped in favour of the Great Expectations we're about to get.

[faginsgirl]

IIRC Andrew Davies was due to adapt Dombey and Son for the BBC but it was dropped in favour of the Great Expectations we're about to get.

So, obviously not brave enough to take a chance.

[Elaine]

So, obviously not brave enough to take a chance.

I'd say, no imagination

[jaycad]

IIRC Andrew Davies was due to adapt Dombey and Son for the BBC but it was dropped in favour of the Great Expectations we're about to get.

You remember correctly! I'd have preferred 'Dombey and Son' even though it's not my favourite Dickens novel if just to dilute my memory of the rather poor early '80s BBC version but I imagine the rather 'gothic' nature of 'Great Expectations' was deemed more suitable for a Christmas showing.I'm a tad disappointed as the 1999 BBC version starring Ioan Griffiths was fine and needs no update-just a region 2 release! I'm looking forward to 'Edwin Drood' though!

[didi-5]

Would be nice to see one or two of the earlier versions escape to DVD from the archives for the upcoming Dickens anniversary. If they can release the 1960 Barnaby Rudge black and white should be no obstacle.

[Windyridge]

I want a new version of A Tale of Two Cities. Preferably with Toby Stephens as Sydney Carton. Can just see Susan Lynch as Madame Defarge.

[Elaine]

IIRC Andrew Davies was due to adapt Dombey and Son for the BBC but it was dropped in favour of the Great Expectations we're about to get.

Who is in this new adaption of Great Expectations?

[faginsgirl]

Who is in this new adaption of Great Expectations?

See the first post Elaine. Actors include Ralph Fiennes and Helena BC.

[jaycad]

Who is in this new adaption of Great Expectations?

This is for the BBC version.

BBC - Press Office - Gillian Anderson and David Suchet confirmed for BBC One's Great Expectations