Great Expectations is a British-American serialized adaptation of the the Charles Dickens novel of the same name. It aired in the U.S. on the Disney Channel in three parts in 1989, and in the U.K. on ITV in six parts in 1991.
Due to the long format, this is regarded as one of the most faithful adaptations of the novel.
Synopsis[]
Based on Charles Dickens's beloved novel, the story centers on a young boy named Pip, his education into a formal man, the struggles he faces in regards to poverty, wealth, love, rejection, and the overall triumph of good over evil.
Cast[]
- Anthony Hopkins as Magwitch
- Jean Simmons as Miss Havisham
- John Rhys-Davies as Joe Gargery
- Ray McAnally as Mr Jaggers
- Anthony Calf as Pip
- Martin Harvey as Young Pip
- Kim Thomson as Estella
- Adam Blackwood as Herbert
- Susan Franklyn as Biddy
- Rosemary McHale as Mrs Gargery
- Niven Boyd as Orlick
- Sean Arnold as Compeyson
- Frank Middlemass as Uncle Pumplechook
- John Quentin as Mr Wopsle
- Preston Lockwood as Mr Hubble
- Eve Pearce as Mrs Hubble
- Simon Warwick as Startop
Episodes[]
The episodes are listed based on their American airing.
| No. | Title | Director | Writer | Air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Chapter One | Kevin Connor | John Goldsmith | July 9, 1989 |
| 02 | Chapter Two | Kevin Connor | John Goldsmith | July 10, 1989 |
| 03 | Chapter Three | Kevin Connor | John Goldsmith | July 11, 1989 |
Video[]
Disney Channel - Great Expectations promo
Trivia[]
- This is one the few productions by Disney to be a co-production with another studio, in this case ITV. Usually, Disney co-produces British productions with ITV's chief rival, BBC.
- Jean Simmons, who played Miss Havisham, previously played Estella in the 1946 film adaptation.
- Stacy Keach was originally cast as Magwitch, but upon arriving in London was arrested for drug charges.
