studioAT Airing over Christmas 2011 this adaptation of Dickens' classic novel is actually pretty good. It can't compete with the David Lean version, but there's a lot to be liked about it.Yes, it cuts out some moments, which is odd seeing as they had several episodes to tell it in rather than the 90 mins you'd have in a film, but all involved seem to suit their roles well and give good performances.It's not perfect, but there are lots of strong moments within this mini series and I rate it as being stronger than the film version that followed a year later.

ruigrande I don't consider myself as an expert on Charles Dickens' adaptations for the screen, as I recognize it on some other reviewers, but, not knowing other ones, I simply loved this one.In Portugal we were always flooded with Dickens's tales. We practically grew up on them. And this mini-series is a wonderful document for the new generation of youngsters that don't have patience to read. In fact, I believe that this kind of documents may lead them to search for more tales loke this and look at reading books at a different perspective and see the wonders of it. This is a masterpiece. The photography is superb and the actors play wonderfully their parts. Even Estella, but I agree that a bit more charm and beauty would better fit Dickens' idea. I recommend it to everyone.

Charisse Brown I am amazed at the negative reviews about this series and how completely false they are. If nothing else, do not let those turn you away; watch it for yourself. For one thing, every time a book is turned into a film, little things must be changed. It is just the way it is in order to keep the audience interested and to fit an entire book into a few hour film. So to expect a word for word portrayal of the book is absurd and only amateurs should expect that. The filming and coloring of this series was excellent. The colors felt dark and dreary and complicated, just like much of the book. Everything I envision when I read Great Expectations was how this series felt. Especially Satis House. It is dark and molding and rotten and disgusting. The cast was perfect. Gillian Anderson played an outstanding Miss Havisham. She literally felt like the shell of a being. Completely lost and void of all feeling and life. Everyone said she was too young, but I thought she looked aged and distraught and perfect for her role. Estella was also a great cast. She is definitely not the prettiest actress in the world, however, she nailed her part. Cold and unfeeling, as she was trained to be. Yet toward the end, there isn't a lot said, but you can feel her change in her feelings towards Pip. Her realization that he was right all along and she is capable of loving him. And Pip was perfect in every way. Young Pip was excellent. And Douglas Booth was outstanding as an adult Pip. His transformation from "the boy from the forge" to a gentleman was well noticed. He looked and felt the part. You felt every emotion. I am excited to see where his future career in film takes him, because I thought he was excellent. He is going to play Romeo in the next adaption of Romeo and Juliet and I am quite thrilled for that! As for everyone else, I thought they cast was spot on. It was true to the story, with obvious little changes. If you are going to be a stickler about every little thing and expect every detail of the original book to be in the film, than yes, of course you'll be disappointed. That is a ridiculous notion and you should never watch any adaption of the book to film. But if you can appreciate art in every form, you will love this version. I will definitely be buying it on DVD and watching it over and over.

davegp I've only watched halfway through the first episodes but as far as I can tell I'm yet to hear a single line from the original text. Dickens isn't Dickens without his perfect prose. I understand the need to condense the dialogue but surely they could've done better than this. Take this example from the first chapter of the original:"Now lookee here!" said the man. "Where's your mother?" "There, sir!" said I. He started, made a short run, and stopped and looked over his shoulder. "There, sir!" I timidly explained. "Also Georgiana. That's my mother." "Oh!" said he, coming back. "And is that your father alonger your mother?" "Yes, sir," said I; "him too; late of this parish."This has been vandalized into:"Where's your parents?" "Dead and Buried"I rest my case.From the little I saw Ray Winstone was impressive.