Great expectations - review of three film versions.

Introduction:

In my English lessons I have been reading great expectations as part of my pro 1914-prose study, and have chosen to do my media assignment on film adaptations of the book. I will be comparing and contrasting the three film versions, David Leans 1945 film is the eldest version which is in black and white, the BBC serialisation and the latest BBC film version, and the original novel. I will structure my essay by writing about different areas of the adaptations e.g. soundtrack, first with similarities then differences between the versions.

Sequencing:

The sequencing of the opening scene of great expectations adaptations are all quite similar except the latest BBC adaptation, the David Lean and BBC serialisation have the same sequencing, book so it is unlike the 2 other film versions. The David Lean film and BBC serialisation have the sequencing almost of the book so tell the story in the same way as Charles Dickens did. While the David lean version is more compact due to time limitations and the BBC serialisations has more detail they both tell the same set of events in the same way. And only differ from the book in the very beginning where they show Pip the central character in the book running across the marshes to the church, where the book starts in the churchyard. The latest BBC version is very different form the book and two other adaptations in it’s sequencing, it starts with Pip running away from the convict across a wheat field, when the convict catches up with Pip in the graveyard, he asks no questions about his parents or where he lives like the book. It then switches straight to Pip running home across the marshes, when he arrives home events from the second chapter take place when the events of the first haven’t finished being explained. The rest of the sequences of the opening chapter take place as flashbacks while pips sleeping.

Soundtrack:

As with the sequencing the sound track for the latest BBC adaptation is very different to the other two versions as it has a different set of sequencing.

The David lean version and BBC serialisations soundtrack are quite similar but the advances in technology makes the serialisation far more advanced than the older David lean version. The David Lean version soundtrack starts with the opening of the book being narrated by an older version of Pip as the younger version crosses the marshes.

The BBC serialisation soundtrack is similar to the David Lean version as ...

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Soundtrack:

As with the sequencing the sound track for the latest BBC adaptation is very different to the other two versions as it has a different set of sequencing.

The BBC serialisation soundtrack is similar to the David Lean version as it begins with narration by an older version of pip as he crosses the marshes.

And the latest BBC version soundtrack is very different to the other two, as it starts with quiet music and Pips heavy breathing and rustling as he is running away from the convict. The arrival of the convict is very similar in the David Lean version and BBC serialisation soundtrack with the same build up, whistling winds and creaking trees make up a tense atmosphere, which is shattered by the arrival of the Convict. This is very different in the Latest BBC version.

The arrival of the Convict in the David Lean version soundtrack is marked by him grabbing Pip and Pip screaming, the convict then threatens Pip in the following dialogue. Then the convict turns him upside down a lot of rustling and jingling from the convict’s chain on his leg. The convict then demands items from Pip in the following dialogue while eating an apple and breathing heavily. At the end of the scene where Pip is running home across the marshes, the whistling winds from the graveyard are heard again.

The arrival of the Convict in BBC serialisation soundtrack is different to the David Lean version you hear Pip trip and as he gets he catches sight of the convict and takes a surprised breath. The convict then moves toward him you can hear the chain on his leg jingle with every step he takes, he then talks to Pip. He shakes Pip lot’s of jingling and grunting, when he resumes dialogue with Pip he is eating a piece of bread. Just before the end of the scene the convict threats Pip speaking in a whisper, then walks of to bouncy music with his chain jingling.

The Convict is introduced in the latest BBC version soundtrack by Pip falling with a thud, trying to hide breathing deeply. The Convict catches up breathing heavily and his chain jingling with his footsteps, as the Convict finds Pip, Pip lets out a scream then the convict say’s a short amount of dialogue.

The David Lean and BBC serialisation soundtracks are quite similar but the Serialisation has the advantage of longer running time and detail and better technology, the only difference is the whistling wind at the end of the scene in the David Lean versions apposed to the bouncy music of the convicts departure in the BBC serialisation.

The latest BBC version soundtrack is a far shorter and more condensed in the opening scene than the other two adaptations. Also large amounts of dialogue are missed out, even thought it befits from the best technology and methods out of the three adaptations it has the shortest and in my opinion worst soundtrack.

Meise en scene:

Meise en scene is French for what you can see such as characters, props and scenery. The main way to see the difference in the interpretation of the book in the adaptations is by what and how they present characters and locations on screen.

As with the sequencing and sound tracking the David Lean version and BBC serialisation are very similar with few differences although the David Lean version is in black and white and the latest BBC version is very different to both of them.

The David Lean version starts with the 1st page of Great Expectations opening then the rest of the pages blowing over.

The BBC serialisation opens with some flowers on the book cover of Great Expectations wilting away, it is different to the David Lean opening but is clearly influenced by it.

The latest BBC films different sequencing means different images appearing on screen at different time compared to the other two adaptations. It opens with Pip running through a golden wheat field, looking back over his shoulder, his face is dirty and his clothes are hard worn showing that he is a person of lower class in society. This is very different to the other two versions, which show the name of the film/book before the film begins. While the latest BBC version starts in the thick of the story.

The appearance of the Convict is very similar in all three versions, which hold true to the book description ‘ A fearful man, all in course grey, with a great iron on his leg’.

The David Lean version while holding true to the book description but makes the Convict more frightening to the audience than the other two versions, as it is limited to black and white to make an impact.

The BBC serialisation shows the convict more as a worn out exhausted figure that is more likely to make audiences fell sorry for him than be frightened. He is truer to the description laid down in the book than the other to versions down the blackened face and rag tied around his head.

The Convict in the latest BBC version is a cross between the two other versions he is more frightening in appearance than the BBC serialisation Convict, but less true to the books description and more detailed than the David Lean versions Convict.

Conclusion:

After watching and reviewing all three-film adaptations, I have decided in my opinion that the BBC serialisation is the best adaptation of the book. Because of the level of detail that tells the story as well and in the same fashion that made the book such a large success, I find it an excellent alternative or compliment to reading the novel.

Adam Ali Great Expectation Page