Customer Reviews

Tom Jones (1963)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Astonishing to find this wonderful work unreviewed on Amazon. It belongs to that tiny aristocracy of 'perfect' films, which include, to take a few random examples, The Sting (Redford and Newman), A Man for All Seasons (Scofield and York), Chinatown (Nicholson and Dunaway), and Deliverance (Voight and Reynolds). Such films entertain us deeply because they are executed with originality, sincerity, and a very strong story-telling sense. They have powerful casts, richly rendered settings, and satisfying attention to detail. One cannot imagine how any of them could have been made differently or better. Tom Jones is based of course on Henry Fielding's 1750 History of Tom Jones, A Foundling, and runs true to Fielding's impatience and amusement with hypocrisy and his delight in matters romantic, sexual, and improper. One cannot but love the impossible Mr. Jones; one cannot fail to cheer when his respectable enemies are confounded by their own pieties. When Tom misbehaves, one feels only a wistful joy: "If only I could sin so innocently and so well!"

The visual quality of this DVD is grainy, murky, scratched and wanting....
The video I have of this is far superior.....its a great movie but this DVD transfer is very poor...and detracts from the greatness of the movie...

Director Tony Richardson presented this Oscar winner for Best Picture of 1963.
To the accompaniment of a harpsicord, and Michael MacLiammoir's narration, Henry Fielding's literary libertine with a heart of gold, so buoyantly played by Albert Finney, comes to life.
First introduced as a foundling infant, placed in the bed of one Squire Allworthy(George Devine)whose servants Jenny Jones and Partridge( Joyce Redman, Jack MacGowran) are established as the child's unwed parents, and banished from the estate, he is raised as Allworthy's ward, and comes of age under the supervison of Parson Supple(James Cairncross), the tutor Mr. Thwackum(Peter Bull)--whose surname removes any doubts about his feelings on corporal punishment--and Allworthy's sister, Bridget( Rachel Kempson), whose pimply-faced and falsely pious son Blifil(David Warner) will prove to be Tom's nemesis.
Tom has a fling with the disreputable Molly Seagrim(Diane Cilento), who after appearing in church heavily pregnant and unwed, is attacked by the women of the congregation, only to be rescued by Tom.
Tom's real love, however, is Sophie Western(a light, lively,and comical Susannah York), the daughter of a gluttonous and rather dissolute Squire(Hugh Griffith), who also lives with his sister( Dame Edith Evans).
The young couple's romance blossoms despite the disapproval of Squire and Miss Western, who would prefer that Sophie marry Blifil, whom she despises.
We follow the characters on sumptuously portrayed venison hunt, during which Tom injures himself while rescuing Sophie while she's on a runaway horse. Taken to the Western's estate for recovery, their feelings deepen as Sophie nurses Tom back to health.
Tragedy ensues when Allworthy and his sister are in a carriage accident, which proves fatal for Bridget.In its aftermath, Blifil, the Parson, and Thwackum report to Allworthy that Tom's debauchery went to excesses during Allworthy's recouperation, and Tom is banished from the estate.
It is then that his true adventure begins. Among the many memorable characters he meets as he traipses about the England of the 1740s are, a band of redcoats en route to fight for the Protestant cause, Avis Bunange's landlady, Lynn Redgrave's Susan,Angela Baddeley's Mrs. Wilkin's,Rosalind Knight's Mrs. Fitzpatrick, her husband, Mr. Fitzpatrick(George A. Cooper),David Tomlinson's Lord Fellamar, who tries to rape a runaway Sophie, and the velvet-voiced siren, Lady Bellaston(Joan Greenwood). We watch our hero mingle with all elements of English society, having many comical moments in a film that could be a painting by William Hogarth brought to life(one thinks especially along the lines of" A Rake's Progress"), as he once again encounters both Partridge an Jenny Jones, having a more treacherous encounter that may lead him to the gallows before this story reaches its conclusion, and the truth about Tom's parentage established.
Audiences have enjoyed the dizzying array of activity by a highly flawed character with whom they may come to empathize. Captured with realistically styled cinematography, and with both of the baseness and splendor of the time and place, "Tom Jones" reaches beyond the confines of its period and still continues to delight.

still one of the best films made of an 18thC novel! Tom is so wicked....but lovable, and vulnerable and gets his due in the end!
Albert Finney was a doll in the 60's and still a brilliant performer. the color, settings and costumes of old England, the playful treatment of the story
This is a classic film! [[ASIN:B00005AUKE Tom Jones]

It has charm and humor to spare, that is for sure, and it is rich with wonderful performances and witty dialog but calling it the best movie of the year seems like a stretch. I so adore it, which goes without saying, and I enjoy every minute, but it is just a good movie that provides a good time, and it never feels like more than that.

Does that make any sense?

The film follows Tom, the adopted son of a British squire. He's a lady-charmer of sorts, planting his seed wherever he may lie and loving every minute of it. When Tom falls for the beautiful Sophie, the daughter of a neighboring squire, things begin to heat up for Tom. Jealousies within the family cause Tom to eventual flee only to get himself in more and more trouble. He's a kindhearted and well intentioned young man who just doesn't know when to stop.

`Tom Jones' is a very funny movie that sports a stellar cast of comedic performances, as well as some touching and sincere ones. Albert Finney received his first of many Oscar nominations for this film, and he was definitely deserving (it was such a good year in this category). He is charming and witty, enough so to make even Tom's most reprehensible of actions forgeable. High Griffiths and Edith Evans ham it up in their roles, providing an abundance of comic relief, and Susannah York is stunning and beautifully tempered as Sophie.

There isn't a sore spot to be found within the acting at all.

The script is also delightfully written, engaging and funny throughout, sporting some very memorable moments and some intriguing character development. I loved the voice over narration, which provided the film with a literary feel that complemented its comedic tone. It is very well constructed and wonderfully put directed.

The fact remains that while I cannot find a single flaw I just cannot name it the best of the year. I think when you consider the films that were provided to us in 1963 `Tom Jones' kind of falls towards the middle of the list. Films like `Hud' or `This Sporting Life' were much stronger works and much more poignant and influential. `8 ½' is another example of a film that is much smarter and much more technically proficient than `Tom Jones'. This film is splendid and entertaining but its well does not run as deep as some of the years other offerings. Top ten maybe (I'd give it an A-), but not top five and definitely not number one.

Oh well, it is till a wonderful film and one that I will continue to watch and enjoy for years to come.

It doesn't get any better than this film..What a fun romp in the hay with all the actors. An explosion of characters all over the screen...You've got to get this for your collection.

This is a classic film with Albert Finney who was at his young, dashing best when "Tom Jones" was made in 1963. It's a thoroughly entertaining film, very well done, and brings out all the important aspects of the book by Henry Fielding. The entire cast works beautifully together to give the story life and credibility.

Imagine the fun, after 1st seeing it in a theater.. As funny, and campy as was the 1st time. A true joy to do it all over again.. and to share it with friends, most of whom recalled it fondly, as well. I still wonder if there'll ever be a comparable "food scene", in another movie, like this one..

A big disappointment. Still a leterbox, it means 3:4 tv format. No information about it. On purpose?