PIC of the Week – Tom Jones
Article series by Ray Schillaci
1963 was an eclectic year for films. There were the “tent pole” movies – the Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton Egyptian extravaganza, Cleopatra, the high adventure war-time drama with an all-star cast, The Great Escape, the comedy spectacle packed with nearly every funny man of the past and present, It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, and the much revered historical drama by Visconti, The Leopard, starring Burt Lancaster. The horror genre was exceptional as well with Hitchcock’s The Birds, Robert Wise’s The Haunting, and a young upstart filmmaker by the name of Francis Ford Coppola with his chilling Dementia 13.
To top that off, so many other memorable films would fill the theaters including the Cary Grant/Audrey Hepburn comedy Charade, Blake Edwards’ The Pink Panther, and the controversial The Lord of the Flies. But, it would be films that seemed to step outside of the box that would capture Oscar’s attention – Lillies of the Field, The Cardinal, 8 1/2, America, America, and the 4 time Oscar winner including Best Picture, and my PIC of the week, Tom Jones. And, just like that year, we have so many home entertainment releases to choose from including Darkest Hour, Coco, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. But, Criterion steps up their game with an illustrious Blu presentation of the 1963 multi-Oscar winner.
It’s very interesting that Tony Richardson’s Tom Jones is being released by Criterion nearly six months after Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon. Both are from classic novels and British period pieces dealing with an irrepressible cad, though the big difference is one is light and funny (Tom Jones) and the other almost as dour as an uptight stuffed shirt aristocrat (Barry Lyndon).
Now, in Kubrick’s defense, William Makepeace Thackeray’s novel is nowhere near a delight as Henry Fielding’s fun-filled romp. For those who do not have the patience or the time to revel in Kubrick’s artistry, a better time may be had with director Richardson’s film which benefits greatly by a wonderfully charming performance by Albert Finney. Unfortunately, Ryan O’Neal’s turn as the other cad, Barry Lyndon, has little joy. But, to be fair, that was the material given to O’Neal.
Tom Jones is a high adventure love story set in 18th century England following the exploits of a handsome and kind-hearted adopted “bastard” that has fallen in love with a young woman from the upper class. Their love is frowned upon and Jones is knocked unconscious and sent away. Through his odyssey to find his true love there are sword fights and women to bed.
Sure, that probably would not play well with today’s audience, but the film is filled with such a harmless tone one does not think about Jones’ promiscuity, especially while always following his heart for his truest love. What sets this period piece aside from so many others is its humor and the way Richardson has his character occasionally break the fourth wall.
Criterion continues its prestige run of presentations with a 4K digital restoration of the theatrical cut and a director’s cut supervised by the original DOP, Walter Lassally, with uncompressed monaural and stereo soundtracks. Special features are generous including:
¥ new program on Tom Jones‘ cinematography with Lassally and critic Peter Cowie
¥ excerpt from Dick Cavett Show with star Albert Finney
¥ new interview with actress Vanessa Redgrave on director Richardson
¥ new interview with film scholar Duncan Petrie on Tom Jones’ impact on British Cinema
¥ and much more
Best Price – $25.99 – Amazon or you could wait for Barnes & Noble to have their 1/2 price Criterion sale and you may pay $20
