Great Expectations (1998) English subs [H264]

Encoded in H264 Advanced Video Coding

for about 20% smaller filesize with same quality...



Writing application : MediaCoder 0.6

File size : 561 MiB

PlayTime : 1h 47mn

VideoCodec : H264 Advanced Video Coding (Same as blue ray)

Bit rate : average 594 Kbps constant quality VBR

Resolution : 854 width x 480 height

Aspect ratio : 16/9

AudioCodec : MP3 VBR Joint stereo

Bit rate : average 120 Kbps 48 KHz English

English subtitles : added as .srt file renamed as .txt



Great Expectations (1998) Directed by Alfonso Cuaron



Writing credits (WGA): Charles Dickens (novel), Mitch Glazer (screenplay)

MPAA: Rated R for language and some sexuality.



Trivia:

- Real life painter Francesco Clemente created Finnegan Bell's artwork for the movie.

- Alfonso Cuarón always use the green (he even auditioned green eyed girls for A Little Princess (1995)) as the main color of its movies. He uses red and orange (complimentary and opposite colors) to make some remarks.

- In his book, "What Just Happened?", producer Art Linson reveals that the narration in the movie was written by David Mamet. It was done for free, on the condition that nobody ever find out he did it.

- Ca d' Zan, a mansion in Sarasota, Fl, stood for Ms. Dismoor mansion. It once belonged to circus magnate John Ringling and his wife Mable.

- In addition to co-writing, performing and producing the song "Siren" especially for this film, Tori Amos provided the vocalizations (wistling, breaths, etc.) that can be heard in the film's score.

- While sharing the title with the 1861 Charles Dickens novel, it is only loosely based on it.



Reviews:



A modernization of the classic tale done in great style!, 10 August 2004

8/10 Author: Gillian Wixley from South Africa



It is always going to be a challenge to take a classic novel and turn it into be a movie that will satisfy everyone, especially when the story is being changed and adapted to fit a modern setting. If what you want to find from this movie is an exact translation of the book you will be unimpressed.



I personally loved this movie, it is completely stylish thanks to a brilliant soundtrack and the gorgeous leads Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow (who is cast perfectly as the beautiful ice queen). They are helped along by a strong supporting cast of Anne Bancroft (wonderfully eccentric as Ms. Nora Dinsmoor), Chris Cooper and Robert DiNero.



The problem, however, is that in trying to fit a story as long and complicated as â??Great expectations' into a 90 minute movie you loose a lot of the development of the characters necessary to identify and have an emotional reaction to them.



Rather than linger on these issues Alfonso Cuaron concentrated on the visual aspect of the movie and the result is a movie that is great to watch!

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28 out of 36 people found the following comment useful :-

Just what I expected., 29 March 1999

9/10 Author: Rick Peach (beefsmack@webtv.net) from USA



I went into Great Expectations with high hopes. The story has always been one of my favorites and I couldn't wait too see what they had done with it. The film is beautiful. It is very rich in color and scope. The cinematography was outstanding and the direction was solid. The acting was brillant all around. Robert De Niro is in the movie only briefly, but brings respect to a role that could be just a flash in the pan for anyone else. Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow are great and Chris Cooper turns in a very subtle but powerful performance as Finn's guardian. The film left me feeling good, what more could you ask for in a movie?

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37 out of 55 people found the following comment useful :-

The Green World, 10 December 2000

10/10 Author: vindana ariyawansa



This movie, an absolute winner in many ways, lacked the recognition it deserved heavily, the wonderful green theme that runs throughout the movie makes it very pleasant for the viewing eye. Great Cinematography, Great Cast, Great music, add up to deliver a Great Movie which fulfils the viewers Great Expectations.

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17 out of 19 people found the following comment useful :-

a visual masterpiece, 2 June 1999

8/10 Author: sickboy-11 from morristown, TN



Great Expectations is one of the few films that can incorporate stunning visuals, one of the best soundtracks to ever grace a film and simply characters that you truly care about by the end of the film.



It's true that the character development on the character of Finn is a little weak, but the characters of Estella and the over flamboyant and heartbroken Miss Dinnsmore certainly make up for Finn's minor flaws. Personally i found the film very enjoyable and immersive, and the incredibly imaginative cinematography will certainly keep anyone's attention as well.



This film is a stylish and brilliant remake of a classic and could almost be considered timeless compared to other recent attempts at "updating" the classics which fail in comparison(such as the recent failed attempt at romeo and juliet). Great Expectations is certainly worth a rental (or even purchase) for anyone that enjoys simply a good, immersive movie with some absolutely beautiful imagery.

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19 out of 25 people found the following comment useful :-

A movie as itself, 14 May 1999

Author: balthzar from Norman, OK



Too many times we fall into the trap of comparing a movie with the book. Every director and every writer has a vision and we must judge that vision through their respective mediums. This film brings an unconventional theme to a society fascinated by what they cannot have. This film symbolizes just that. Standing on its own, this film was magnificent in its visual images and music and very many other areas. Do not be caught in that trap of comparing this film to the book. Dickens should never be compared to any screenwriter in the first place.

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17 out of 22 people found the following comment useful :-

A Beautiful Cinematic Painting, 5 March 1999

Author: Miguel Cane (stepford@yahoo.com) from Mexico



The key here is Color, along with the Tori Amos songs, Gwyneth Paltrow's beauty and Ethan Hawke's charm. This is not a film to be seen lightly, probably purists will hate the story, but hey, who gives a damn when you have a beautiful picture to admire... and Anne Bancroft to boot? Cuaron & Lubezki Do it Again! Grand!

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Soundtrack:



Please note that songs listed here (and in the movie credits) cannot always be found on CD soundtracks. Please check CD track details for confirmation.



# "Break My Back"

Written by Alan Mirikitani

Performed by Buddha Heads (as Buddah Heads)

Courtesy of Windswept Pacific Entertainment Co.



# "Uncle John's Band"

Written by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter

Performed by The Grateful Dead

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.

by arrangement with Warner Special Products



# "Special Report"

Written by T. Lipton and R. Tambin

Courtesy of KOKA 2088-7/Channel 9 News

by arrangement with Killer Tracks





# "Bésame Mucho" recuring theme

Written by Consuelo Velázquez

Performed by Ray Conniff (as Ray Coniff Jr.)

Courtesy of Columbia Records

by arrangement with Sony Music Licensing



# "Bésame Mucho"

Written by Consuelo Velázquez

Performed by Steve Lawrence (as Steve) and Eydie Gormé (as Eydie)

Courtesy of MCA Records

by arrangement with Universal Music Special Markets





# "Her Ornament"

Written by Brian Vander Ark (as Brian VanderArk)

Produced by Brian Malouf

Performed by The Verve Pipe

The Verve Pipe appears courtesy of The RCA Records Label



# "Let It Go"

Words and Music by Louis Natale (as Lou Natale)



# "Sunshower"

Written and Performed by Chris Cornell

Produced by Chris Cornell and Alain Johannes

Chris Cornell appears courtesy of A&M Records



# "Siren"

Written by Tori Amos and Patrick Doyle

Produced and Performed by Tori Amos

Tori Amos appears courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corporation



# "Wishful Thinking"

Written and Performed by Duncan Sheik

Produced by Peter Nashel

Duncan Sheik appears courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corporation



# "Lady, Your Roof Brings Me Down"

Written and Performed by Scott Weiland

Produced by Scott Weiland and Blair Lamb

Scott Weiland appears courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corporation



# "Like a Friend"

Written by Pulp and Patrick Doyle

Performed by Pulp

Produced by Chris Thomas

Pulp appears courtesy of Island Records Ltd.



# "Walk This Earth Alone"

Written by Lauren Christy, Charlie Midnight and Patrick Doyle

Produced by Doll Factory

Performed by Lauren Christy

Lauren Christy appears courtesy of Mercury Records



# "Success"

Written by Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Ricky Gardiner

Performed by Iggy Pop

Courtesy of Virgin Records America, Inc.



# "I Love Paris"

Written by Cole Porter



# "Life in Mono"

Words and Music by Martin Virgo

Contains elements of The Ipcress File (1965) written by John Barry

Performed by Mono

Courtesy of Mercury Records

exclusively licensed from The Echo Label Limited