"GREAT EXPECTATIONS."

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 32, 7 February 1935, Page 7

"GREAT EXPECTATIONS."

At Regent Theatre Tomon-ow

."Great Expectations," already hailed as a great film, is expected to draw capacity houses to the Regent Theatre, where its Wellington season opens tomorrow. It is said that the attention which has been paid to detail, has never been surpassed in any other film production. It would be foolish to expect the original story of "Great Expectations" in its entirety upon the screen, which is definitely limited in its, scope, but the film which has been produced reflects ttie real authentic spirit of Dickens's narrative. It is .an unusually long pic: ture, taking ' about two horn's =to screen, but interest is never' allowed to flag for an instant throughout that time. From the moment that Pip is revealed, seated ainoiig the graves of Bis family in the little Kentish churchyard up, to the last romantic, scenes the, progress of the story never falters. The acting is exceptionally good. ' One of the finest pieces of character acting seen on the screen for sdme time is that of Henry Hull, who takes the part of Abel Magwitch, the convict. The strange personality of a man.who is at once criminal and unfortunate, coarsened, yet with a heart of gratitude passing imagination, is handled with admirable skill. From the first scenes on the desolate marshes after his escape from the prison hulks, to the deathbed scene in a London gaol, Hull convinces: that here is Magwitch aa Dickens meant him to be. A tragically repulsive figure, touching at all'points the destiny of the young blacksmith's son, Pip, raising him to be a "gentleman" and at the same tune -imperilling his happiness.. Florence Reed, as Miss Havishani, is sinister yet human. Dickens's lines have been left to speak for themselves, or for Miss Havisham. The novelist's minute descriptions of scenes, manner, and gesture have been followed with unusual faithfulness.