Great Expectations Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Great Expectations Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov May 12, 2013

Mike Newell's "Great Expectations" (2012) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Lionsgate Films-UK. The supplemental features on the disc include an introduction to the film by cast and crew members; video interviews with cast and crew members; deleted and extended scenes; and a gallery of stills from the film. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

I made you a gentleman...

Director Mike Newell and screenwriter David Nicholls’ adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel proves that good stories are worth telling multiple times. It is probably one of the most relaxed and free of cliched melodrama adaptations ever done. It is also far more convincing that the recent BBC TV version.

The core of the famous story is unchanged. Young Pip (Toby Irvine) encounters escaped criminal Abel Magwitch (Ralph Fiennes, Strange Days, The Constant Gardener) who is hiding in the marshes. Shortly after he gives him a pork pie and a bottle of brandy, the authorities arrest Magwitch. Later on, Pip is sent to the home of Miss Havisham (Helena Bonham Carter, Fight Club), an eccentric local recluse, who wants him to spend time with her adopted daughter Estella (Helena Barlow/Holliday Grainger). Pip begins visiting the house and quickly falls madly in love with Estella but eventually is told not to come back because his services are no longer needed.

As a young man, Pip (Jeremy Irvine, War Horse) is informed that a mysterious benefactor has arranged for him to move to London so that he can become a gentleman. Convinced that his life is being redirected by Miss Havisham, Pip enthusiastically relocates to the big city, hoping to become the type of man the beautiful Estella can fall in love with. But when Magwitch reappears, Pip is forced to reconsider his plans.

The tempo of the film is very good, but none of the crucial conflicts feel rushed. On the contrary, a great deal of attention is given to a number of secondary characters whose decisions affect Pip’s life. During the second half, Pip’s character transformation is also beautifully observed.

Bohnam Carter and Fiennes are spectacular. The former, in particular, does not attempt to imitate previous characterizations of Miss Havisham – her attitude and intentions are familiar but the performance feels genuinely fresh. Fiennes is also very convincing as the escaped convict who returns home to meet the grown up Pip. Though not as experienced, Irvine and Grainger are also impressive.

Caroline Smith’s set decorations are outstanding. The film has a rich but proper period look that never overwhelms. The footage from inside Miss Havisham’s home is particularly good. Here light and shadow are used very effectively to recreate the Gothic atmosphere described in Dockens’ novel. During the second half, cinematographer John Mathieson’s lensing also reminds of his exceptional work in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator. (Pip’s unglamorous return home has a very familiar vibe). Beatrix Aruna Pasztor’s costume designs also wonderfully done.

Richard Hartley’s music score is one of the film’s biggest strengths. Beautifully orchestrated, the score enhances the dramatic atmosphere exceptionally well. The use of the piano and the strings in the main theme is terrific.

Note: Earlier this year, Great Expectations was nominated for Best Costume Design Award at the BAFTA Films Awards.

Great Expectations Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Mike Newell's Great Expectations arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Lionsgate Films-UK.

The high-definition transfer is quite beautiful. Shot on Kodak Vision2 and Vision3, the film boasts a wide range of warm and very natural colors that are beautifully reproduced on the Blu-ray. What impresses the most, however, is the outstanding image depth where light is restricted. The footage with Miss Havisham, in particular, looks quite wonderful despite the fact that light is minimal at best. Elsewhere contrast and clarity are also very good. The outdoor footage looks remarkably clean and sharp yet often quite warm (see screencapture #3). There are no traces of problematic lab tinkering. Compression is also good. Lastly, there are absolutely no stability issues to report in this review. All in all, this is indeed a very impressive looking period film which has transitioned to Blu-ray in spectacular fashion. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).

Great Expectations Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Also included is a Descriptive Audio LPCM 2.0 track. For the record, Lionsgate Films-UK have provided optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.

Richard Hartley's music score definitely benefits from the lossless treatment. The overall dynamic intensity is also very good, which is something that might surprise some viewers because Great Expectations is a period film without any big action sequences. There is even surround movement that occasionally manages to impress. The dialog is always very crisp, clean, and stable.

Great Expectations Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Introducing Great Expectations - in this short video piece, director Mike Newell, screenwriter David Nicholls and cast members discuss Great Expectations and the different conflicts in the film. In English, not subtitled. (6 min).

• The Characters of Great Expectations - Director Mike Newell, producers Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen, screenwriter David Nicholls, and actors Jeremy Irvine, Helena Bonham Carter, Holliday Grainger and Ralph Fiennes discuss the new adaptation of Charles Dickens' famous novel. In English, not subtitled (6 min).

• Deleted and Extended Scenes - a collection of extended and deleted scenes. In English, not subtitled (12 min).

• Photo Gallery - a collection of stills from the film. (1 min).

Great Expectations Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I thoroughly enjoyed Mike Newell's Great Expectations. Publicity for it has been limited, possibly because the film arrived too soon after the recent BBC TV series, and this is indeed quite unfortunate because it is a wonderful adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel. The cast is spectacular and the production values very solid. If you have been avoiding the film because of mixed reviews, my advice to you is to completely ignore them and see it. I guarantee you will enjoy it. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.