Miss Havisham Portrayals

Miss Havisham is said to be Dickens' most eccentric characters he's created. Jilted at the Alter on her wedding day, something within her snaps and as a results she freezes that moment in time almost. Keeping everything the same as it was on her wedding day; continuing to wear her wedding dress, keeping the same hairstyle, same wedding decorations etc. Ultimately she is stuck in that moment in life, refusing to forget how heartbroken she felt. And she ends up directing her rage at all men, through her prodigy Estella,
I will be looking into different portrayals of Miss havisham through the different TV and Film Adaptaions throughout the years and comparing them with each other and how she is described within the Novel itself.

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Martita Hunt 1946

Martita Hunt is an Argentine- born theater and film actress. She played Miss Havisham in David Leans Black and White adaptation in 1946. For this representation, i feel that the costume and hair designs are amazing and they really convey the character described in the novel. The Hair styling, in particular, is how i imagined it when reading the description of Miss Havisham in the novel. I feel that it completes the look of the character in this interpretation, especially as the makeup is not as extravagant and in my opinion doesn't quite fit in with the rest of the look. The makeup appears quite simple and natural, miss Havisham is portrayed as an old, haggered, disheveled woman, and i feel the makeup doesn't really portray this very well, however the contouring, from what is visible, does accentuate her cheeks bones making them look fairly hollow. the makeup, overall appears to be too youthful in comparison. 

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Joan Hickson 1981

Joan Hickson (1906-1998) played Miss Havisham in Julien Amyes' Tv Series adaptation of Great Expectations. I really like this Havisham look alot, I feel that it portrays the character in a way that keeps the description of her in the Novel, in mind when creating her, The character is not portrayed in as much of an extravagant way, as it was in the 1946 interpretation. But, also unlike the 1946 version, the style is consistent throughout the look. The costume, hair and makeup all compliment each other and all express a feeling of feebleness, age, and unkemptness. I think that one of the factors that make me more biased towards this portrayal of Havisham, is because of the makeup. I feel that the makeup does complete the look, and gives the viewer the right impression of who miss Havisham is. As the actress is alot older than what is described in the book, which she is said to be around 50, this works in her favour. This portrayal is quite possibly my favourite.    

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Charlotte Rampling 1999

In this BBC Film Adaptation of Great Expectations directed by Julien jarrold, Miss Havisham is cast by Charlotte Rampling. My Initial Reponse to this portrayal is that she looks very youthful in comparison to the others, It could be the fact that her hair is not grey like the others? But not everyones hair is grey at 50. For me, also, her appearance doesnt quite hit the mark fully for the look an I think that the reason for this, is that she doenst seem as bedraggled or 'grey' as i feel she should be; based on how she is described in the book. She appears to be too neat and put- together in my opinion. However if i disregard my preconceived idea of how miss Havisham looks, and focused on Analysing the characters appearance based on what i see. Then i would say that she appears to be uptight, fragile, and almost evil- looking.

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Helena Bonham Carter 2012

Helena Bonham carter played Miss Havisham in Mike Newells 2012 Film Adaptation. Having actually seen this film, unlike the others, i may be slightly biased, but i think that this portrayal is definately one of my favourites. or at least joint with the 1981 interpretation! i feel that this Character portrayal is exactly how i pictured the character in the book. She appears to be old, haggered, dusty and definately unruly! everything about this look screams Miss Havisham i my opinion, the way that the hair is unkempt and extravagant with traces of her old bridal up-do still visible, and wearing the veil as well gives the look a nice extra addition. The Makeup is exactly as i pictured, her face is chalky and grey, with dark circles around the eyes and dry lips, giving the right impression of the charcater. The whole look is complete with the ripped bedraggled aspect of the costume, Definately my favourite!