great expectations is a 1946 british drama movie directed by david lean and was based on the 1861 novel of the same name by charles dickens. it stars john mills, alec guinness, valerie hobson, finlay currie, bernard miles, freda jackson, jean simmons, ivor barnard, everley gregg and was distributed by universal pictures. it was nominated for 5 oscars and won 2 academy awards in 1948.