Review of Tom Jones (1963) by Stuart K — 07 Jun 2010
After Look Back In Anger (1959), The Entertainer (1960) and A Taste of Honey (1961). Director Tony Richardson decided to do something quite different, and chose to do an adaptation of Henry Fielding's 1749 novel 'The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling'.
It was a very unconventional adaptation of a classic novel, and it ended up winning 4 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. Did it deserve it's glory?? The film focuses on the life and times of Tom Jones (Albert Finney), brought up by Squire Allworthy (George Devine) as one of his own, after Tom's mother Jenny (Joyce Redman) abandons him as a baby.
He grows up to be a handsome man with a lively attitude, he loves only one woman Sophie Western (Susannah York), but because of his mothers reputation, he cannot marry her, but he won't give in, even though Sophie's father Squire Western (Hugh Griffith) is trying to get her together with Blifil (David Warner) who she hates.
What Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid did for westerns, this did at the time for the English period drama, although this had an unusual comic style, starting off like a silent movie, and it has characters breaking the fourth wall with the audience.
It's well made with good performances, and the screenplay by John Osborne is a change from what he'd done before. As for the Oscar glory, well it's better than what was nominated that year, but it wasn't the best film of 1963.
Put it that way.
This review of Tom Jones (1963) was written by Stuart K on 07 Jun 2010.
Tom Jones has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
