Great Expectations (1934): cast, story & where to watch
1934 · Film · ★ 6.3
Released in 1934, Great Expectations is a drama film directed by Stuart Walker, running about 100 minutes. “The World's Greatest Story! The Most Talked About Book! Lives for the First Time on the Screen!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. A young boy, Pip, encounters an escaped prisoner, Magwitch, and steals food for him. After the convict is captured, Pip meets the reclusive Miss Havisham and her niece, Estella, eventually becoming friends with the girl. Wealth comes to Pip via a mysterious benefactor and he goes off to London for an education. As adults, Pip and Estella become romantic, and Pip learns the identity of his patron.
Who’s in it. Great Expectations stars Henry Hull as Abel Magwitch, Phillips Holmes as Pip, Jane Wyatt as Estella and Florence Reed as Miss Havisham, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.3/10, Great Expectations has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Great Expectations page.
If you liked it. Fans of Great Expectations tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Great Expectations (1934)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Great Expectations change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Great Expectations worth watching?
- Great Expectations holds an audience score of 6.3 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Great Expectations?
- Great Expectations stars Henry Hull, Phillips Holmes, Jane Wyatt, Florence Reed and Alan Hale.
- When was Great Expectations released?
- Great Expectations was released in 1934, with a runtime of about 100 minutes.