Tom Jones (1963)

Tom Jones, abandoned as a baby in mysterious circumstances, is brought up by Squire Allworthy. Resented by Allworthy's legitimate heir Blifil, Tom grows into an amiable rascal, fond of the ... See full summary »

Director:

Tony Richardson

Writers:

John Osborne (screenplay), Henry Fielding (novel)

Stars:

George Devine, Rachel Kempson, Albert Finney

Won 4 Oscars. Another 18 wins & 18 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George Devine	...	Squire Allworthy
Rachel Kempson	...	Bridget Allworthy
Angela Baddeley	...	Mrs. Wilkins
Joyce Redman	...	Jenny Jones - Mrs. Waters
Jack MacGowran	...	Partridge
Albert Finney	...	Tom Jones
Diane Cilento	...	Molly Seagrim
Wilfrid Lawson	...	Black George
John Moffatt	...	Square
Peter Bull	...	Thwackum
David Warner	...	Blifil
Freda Jackson	...	Mrs. Seagrim
Redmond Phillips	...	Lawyer Dowling
Hugh Griffith	...	Squire Western
Susannah York	...	Sophie Western

Storyline

Tom Jones, abandoned as a baby in mysterious circumstances, is brought up by Squire Allworthy. Resented by Allworthy's legitimate heir Blifil, Tom grows into an amiable rascal, fond of the fair sex. He loves Squire Western's daughter Sophie, but when discovered by his tutors with a local girl Molly, he is banished by his benefactor. After numerous adventures he reaches London and embarks on an affair with the wealthy Lady Bellaston while Squire Western's sister has arranged a marriage between Sophie and Blifil. Horrified, Sophie escapes to London, meeting up with her cousin Mrs. Fitspatrick who is also running away from her husband. Mr. Fitzpatrick follows them and suspects Tom of having seduced his runaway wife.

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Plot Keywords:

squire | british | tutor | sex | love | 

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Taglines:

The whole world loves Tom Jones!

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 December 1963 (France)

Also Known As:

Tom Jones!

Filming Locations:

Bridgwater, Somerset, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Woodfall Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min 121 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System) Dolby (restored version)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Albert Finney felt the lead role wasn't serious enough, and agreed to star only if he got a producing credit; he later traded the credit for profit participation.

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Goofs

As the hunt begins, we see the riders on horseback on their way out to the hunting grounds, with a tall block tower appearing in the background. Clearly visible on top of the block tower is at least one very tall radio antenna.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: In the west of England there was once a Squire Allworthy. After several months in London he returns home.

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Connections

Referenced in The Muppet Movie (1979)

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Soundtracks

"Gigue"
(uncredited)
Composer unknown
Arranged by Douglas Gamley

User Reviews

One of the greatest farces of all time

Tome Jones came out of the wonderful 60's when all the stuffy conventions of British theater, film and music were turned upside down. I first saw this film while stationed in Wiltshire in the Royal Air Force, and having grown up in the industrial West Riding of Yorkshire, my eyes had only recently been opened to the staggering beauty of the English countryside.

Tom Jones represented that unspoiled English countryside to me. I could smell the hay, the wildflowers and the livestock. Never mind that unless you were rich it was serf labor, I saw England through a wonderful fantasy of a film. The action never stopped. This movie was just hilarious from beginning to end. No glossing over the crude realities of country life - this was a period when the poor folk shared their hovels with the chickens and other small animals, when sex was raw, albeit punished on Sundays, and when the local gentry had their way with the wenches.

Rarely has there been such a belly laugh of a movie. Laugh until the tears roll down your face.