Originally Posted by El Loro:
I think this adaptation of Great Expectations is great. Ray Winstone was born for the part of Abel Magwitch - I can't think of anyone who could play the part better. Fascinating to see David Suchet as Jaggers, a somewhat different role to that of Poirot.
And Gillian Anderson as Miss Haversham is exceptional. A hypnotically ghostly presence as she almost floats around. There is something of the undead about her as she sucks the lifeforce out of those closest to her.
Oooh, excellent summing up there, El Loro.
I really enjoyed the portrayal of Miss Haversham; it was somehow more poignant to see her as not quite such an 'old maid' as previously shown in other adaptations.
What did any of you make of the death scene? I thought it took a deliciously mad tone and it made me think that this was more like the way she would have died. Suicidal in her grief, dancing on the edge of spiteful madness until it totally overwhelmed her.
The Raymond was superb. Magwitch was nicely brooding and menacing.
Wasn't quite so keen on some of this adaptation, and it could probably have done with being a 6 parter to flesh out some of the characters that seemed to take on more of a bit part in this screening.