200 years after his birth, Charles Dickens can still draw a crowd.

Cast members of "Great Expectations" turned up for the European premiere of the film, the latest big-screen adaptation of Dickens' novel, and also the last movie to be shown at this year's London Film Festival, marking the bicentenary of the literary giant.

Director Mike Newell says he believes classics deserve new and constant interpretations.

SOUNDBITE Director of "Great Expectations", Mike Newell, saying (English):

"Of course, people will say 'do we need another one (version of Great Expectations)?' and it was to try to justify the fact that... You never say that about Hamlet. 'Oh God they're doing Hamlet again. That's three in a year. Do we need another one?' it was to say 'Look, this is a great, universal story."

Filmed just a few miles from where Dickens wrote the masterpiece in the 19th century, the new movie stays true to much of the original's imagery.

Actor Ralph Fiennes says portraying one of the novel's complex characters is an experience hard to forget.

SOUNDBITE Actor who plays Abel Magwitch in "Great Expectations", Ralph Fiennes, saying (English):

"Like these Dickens characters, they're so rich, and they're always a great challenge to actors, I think. And they're such strong, definitive, you know, they have a high definition about them. They leave a lasting mark."

"Great Expectations" also stars Helena Bonham Carter, Jeremy Irvine and Holliday Grainger, and opens in UK cinemas on November 30th.