Another difference between the movie and the book version of
Great Expectations is the narration. Dickens wrote the novel from Pip’s
point of view. As a narrator, Pip often spends pages describing his
thoughts and feelings. For instance, he describes in detail his love
for Estella. He reveals how he feels ashamed about his snobbishness
toward his old friend Joe, and he tells about his shock when he
discovers his benefactor’s identity. John Mills, who plays Pip in the
movie, uses his actions and dialogue to reveal Pip’s thoughts. In
addition, there are voiceovers, such as when Pip explains something
or repeats what a character said earlier in the movie. While these
elements help the audience know about Pip’s character, Pip’s feelings
in the movie are still not as clear as they are in the book.
The ending of the movie version of Great Expectations is the most
significant difference from the book. Although parts of the novel are
left out of the movie, Pip and Estella’s stories are not changed much
until the ending. In the novel, Estella gets married and never finds
out who her parents are. Pip and Estella’s last conversation is in Miss
Havisham’s house. Near the end of the movie, Pip and Estella also
talk to each other in Miss Havisham’s house, but what they say to
each other is very different from the conversation in the novel. Also,
Estella finds out who her parents are but does not get married.
Except for the ending, the main story line of the movie Great
Expectations is very similar to that of the novel. While the number of
characters, the type of narration, and the ending differ, the theme
remains the same. In the end, Pip learns that the best people can
come from poor circumstances. In both versions, he finally comes to
value kindness more than wealth.