The 1946 film "Great Expectations" is based on the Charles Dicken's novel and is set in early 19th century England, first around 1820 and then around 1830. Philip Pirrip is a orphan who is known as "Pip" who gives some food to an escaped convict, then later is given an allowance by a mysterious benefactor so that he can become a gentleman. He informally adopted by a wealthy reclusive woman where he meets a beautiful young woman and also becomes friends with a young gentleman. In one scene a lawyer gives Pip a number of gold guinea coins which are portrayed by British spade guinea tokens. These tokens were manufactured during Victorian times for gaming purposes.

Pip, an orphan who lives with his older sister, is out riding his bicycle one day.

He passes some gallows, a common sight in old England. He then visits a cemetery and his parents' grave.

The grave marker notes that both parents died in 1817. He is accosted by Magwitch, an escaped convict.

Magwitch threatens Pip and orders him to bring him food and a file. Pip returns home, steals some food and a file, returns to the cemetery, and hands the items to Magwitch. Magwitch and another escaped convict are then captured and taken to a prison ship, presumably for transportation to Australia. Pip is apprenticed for several years to a blacksmith and becomes an adult. He is visited by a lawyer who has some important things to tell him.

The lawyer explains that a mysterious benefactor had provided funds to enable Pip to become a gentleman. He is then informally adopted by Mrs. Havisham, a wealthy reclusive woman, who he frequently visits.

Mrs. Havisham was deserted by the groom at her wedding and has lived in the decaying house ever since. Mrs. Havisham has living with her Estella, another adoptee, who is a beautiful teenage girl. Estella is very vain but Pip immediately falls in love with her. Mrs. Havisham keeps her 30-year old wedding cake which a late guest nibbles on.

Pip is visited my Mr. Jaggers, a properous solicitor (attorney) who is handling the money for Pip's benefactor. Pip is now old enough to go out on his own and Jaggers turns over some money.

Mr. Jaggers brings out a cloth bag and spills the money onto the table.

The coins are imitations of George III gold spade guineas, minted from 1787 to 1799. The name "spade" comes from the spade-shaped shield on the coin's reverse. The prop coins appear to be fairly good imitations or more likely, real British brass tokens manufactured in Victorian times whose designs imitated spade guineas but with alternate inscriptions.

A British King George III spade guinea coin:

Gold, 25 mm, 8.37 gm

A British King George III spade guinea token:

Brass, 25mm, 3.17gm, Manufactured by Rollason and Wood, Tenby Street, Birmingham

Later Pip goes to see Mr. Jaggers in his office. Mr. Jaggers has some interesting wall decorations.

It appears that these are "death masks" of executed men.

A hangman's noose is on exhibit behind Mr. Jaggers. Mr. Jaggers sends Pip to Herbert Pocket, a young man who will be paid to show Pip the ways of a gentleman in society.

Pip is now a gentleman and meets Estella, now grown.

Pip begins dating her, but has to share her with many other admirers.

Pip begins escorting her to formal dances and other events. She then she informs Pip that she plans to marry a wealthy man. Later, at home alone, Pip has an unexpected visitor.

The visitor is Magwitch, now a wealthy Australian businessman. He reveals that in gratitude for Pip's long-ago assistance, he is financing Pip's life, and came to England to see how Pip was doing However, Magwitch is breaking the law by returning to England, a hanging offense. On a visit to Mr. Jaggers' office, Pip looks out the window and witnesses a mass hanging.

Pip and Mr. Pocket arrange for Magwitch to take a boat to Europe but Magwitch's enemy has informed the police.

Magwitch is captured, seriously injured, and is taken to a court for sentencing.

No one has to ask why the judge is putting on the black hat.

Pip visits the prison hospital where Magwitch is dying, Magwitch explains that Estella is his daughter. Meanwhile, Mrs. Havisham has died in an accident and her house is for sale. Pip visits the deserted house which is left unlocked.

Pip finds Estella there.

Estella tells Pip that her wealthy boyfriend found out about her convict father and dumped her, and that she intends to live as a recluse like Mrs. Havisham. He emphatically convinces her not to follow that path.

There is a figure drawn on the mirror behind Pip; no doubt by someone who entered the house. Things end happily as she agrees to marry Pip and both leave the house.

John Mills as Pip
Valerie Hobson as Estella
Finlay Currie as Magwitch (the convict)
Francis L. Sullivan as Mr. Jaggers (the lawyer)
Martita Hunt as Miss Havisham
Alec Guinness as Herbert Pocket
Anthony Wager as Young Pip
Jean Simmons as Young Estella
Bernard Miles as Joe Gargery
Director: David Lean
Writers: Charles Dickens (novel),
David Lean, Ronald Neame, Anthony Havelock-Allan, Kay Walsh, Cecil McGivern