" Ever the best o' friends Pip ol' chap..." Wonderful film Michael. The difficulties about making a film of a Dickens' novel must be the length, complexity of plot and plethora of characters. In two hours in a cinema it would be extremely difficult to follow and absorb the entire work, as his books were meant to be read chapter by chapter and absorbed slowly. My sister and I adored 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' with Charles Laughton. We sobbed deliciously when the poor chap sighed, looked up at a gargoyle and said, "I wish I was made of stone like thee!" as Esmerelda waltzed off with her love. One must also consider the music in a film. I think it contributes an enormous amount to atmosphere. They are (obviously) two very different media, but in spite of being a total bookworm, I've still loved many films made from novels.
Have to say, (if one considers the Bible as a book, which of course it is, but not a novel!) I've never warmed to any film stars in biblical films. I remember watching The Ten Commandments as a teenager and being seriously underwhelmed, in spite of the magnificent portrayal of the parting of the Red Sea. And King of Kings, with Jesus as a blue-eyed hunk. No no. However Pasolini's St Matthew Passion portrayed Mary exactly as I imagine her in older age, wrinkles and all.