Great Expectations @ the National Film Theatre

Loved it- every frame is a masterpiece. For a brilliant critique of Dicken's influence on film read this. There's something about watching films in its original scale at the cinema - watching stuff on the small screen just seems to diminish its quality. Without the distracting effects of colour to express emotions, balck and white seems more concerned with narrative, telling the story. (Think about black and white newspaper stills carefully shot and chosen in order to make the most impact in the limitations of space) and the use of lighting becomes even more integral to the creation of atmosphere and mood. In this movie, the contrast between light and dark, the dichotomy of good and evil within Pip and Estelle and the end cry of 'letting the light' in is repeated as a motiff throughtout. In the halls of Satis House, the light from Estella's candle is completely oppressed by the darkness of the halls.

And has there ever been a more malignant creation to compete with that of the decaying Miss Haversham? The jilted and scorned victim of a fickle lover who ends up catching on fire just as she comes to realise the dire consequences of her smouldering hatred. And proud, insulting Estella who is the embodiment of the 'Treat them mean, keep them keen' mantra. This is storytelling at its most powerful and really deserves preserving.