Get swept away with this beautiful adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel starring Helena Bonham Carter (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2), Ralph Fiennes (Skyfall), Jeremy Irvine (War Horse), Holliday Grainger (Anna Karenina), Robbie Coltrane (Arthur Christmas) and David Walliams (Little Britain). Directed by BAFTA Award-winning Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), this is a stunning re-telling of the classic tale. Young orphan Pip (Jeremy Irvine) is given a chance to rise from his humble beginnings thanks to a mysterious benefactor. Moving through London’s class ridden world as a gentleman, Pip uses his new found position to pursue the beautiful Estella (Holliday Grainger); a spoilt heiress he’s loved since childhood. Yet the shocking truth behind his great fortune will have devastating consequences for everything he holds dear.  Appreciating that Charles Dickens' Great Expectations is a text that's been adapted for the screen several times, not least in an acclaimed modern day BBC adaptation, it's easy to approach Mike Newell's lavish big screen take on the material with some suspicion. What part of the story, after all, is left to tell? Credit to Newell and his team then that he finds so much to have fun with here, by focusing so tightly on the narrative core. His Great Expectations may be no match for David Lean's, for example, but there's still plenty to enjoy here. Newell takes a traditional approach to the novel, choosing to tell a classic story straight. His strategy pretty much pays off too, with a substantive cast adding gravitas to an already-impressive production. The likes of Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham-Carter and Jeremy Irvine are all on good form, and there are successful appearances from Robbie Coltrane and David Walliams too. The biggest criticism of the film? That it chooses traditional over adventure, but conversely, that's just the way many are going to like it. This is a well-told take on Great Expectations, with sumptuous production values and plenty to enjoy. It might leave the gimmicks to the side, but that's certainly no reason to overlook it. A few more extras on the disc though wouldn't hurt... --Jon Foster