MovieChat Forums > Tom Jones (1963) Discussion > This movie is terrific

This movie is terrific

posted 9 years ago by laxlon
2 replies | jump to latest

I saw Tom Jones first run as a teen ager and I loved it. This movie is so creative, so energetic and so funny I don't see how anyone can doubt it's merits. Examine it in the time frame of 1963, not the fifty plus years of films that have lifted the innovations of this film to make it seem old. I haven't seen this film for many years but here are some of the innovations that I remember.

This film used harpsichord music for the score, totally consistent with the period depicted but very much unlike any film that went before.

This film was ribald in ways films weren't at that time. It was bawdy and much fun, probably why the book was such a success in the 1700s.

The camera work was incredible. I remember dolly shots during a duel, hand held shots in an era when it just wasn't done and a fox hunt filmed from a helicopter that was mind-blowing. These three examples were very innovative for 1963.

The film was speeded up for comic effect. Never done before.

The detailed art direction really took you back in time to the 18th century.

The acting was first rate. There were so many distinctive characters in this movie and each one made an impression, starting with Edith Evans, Hugh Griffith, Joyce Redman, Joan Greenwood, and of course, Albert Finney.

And a great director pulled it al together. It is terrific.

[–] mdonln 8 years ago

I pretty much agree with your assessment of the movie; I enjoyed it too. However, I also had some issues with it.

1. After all his shenanigans, all the craziness Tom and Sophie end up together. Is this supposed to be a happy ending? Tom will amuse himself with her for a time then I predict he will go right back to his old ways; bedding every woman who crosses his path. He was supposedly in love with Sophie when he was fooling around with other women. Why would that change after he marries her?

2. Squire Western rescues Tom but he had already been hanged. Wouldn't the force of his body weight cause his neck to snap immediately upon the removal of whatever was supporting his weight? Also, Western cut him loose but did not remove the noose from his neck. Once he dropped, the cord would have tightened around his neck. If it didn't break his neck it would have certainly cut off his air supply. His arms were tied and he was riding face forward on the horse. By the time Western stopped to attend to him, he would have been dead or at least sporting a very prominent neck wound.

3. Western tells Allworthy his prediction: in nine months and a day we will have another heir (or something like that). Are we to believe these people suddenly stopped carrying that they were not yet married? Tom was known to be quite a rascal. Who's to say he wouldn't knock Sophie up and then go along his merry way leaving her to deal with the consequences? I would expect her father, at least, would insist on an immediate wedding especially since he was eager to tie their two estates together.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]

[–] The Colourful Jester 8 years ago

Add another vote for liking it. It has me grinning from ear to ear.