Lord Jim (1965)

After being discredited as a coward, a 19th century seaman (Peter O'Toole) lives for only one purpose: to redeem himself. Based on Joseph Conrad's novel written in 1900.

Director:

Richard Brooks

Writers:

Joseph Conrad (novel), Richard Brooks (written for the screen by)

Stars:

Peter O'Toole, James Mason, Curd Jürgens

Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter O'Toole	...	Lord Jim
James Mason	...	Gentleman Brown
Curd Jürgens	...	Cornelius (as Curt Jurgens)
Eli Wallach	...	The General
Jack Hawkins	...	Marlow
Paul Lukas	...	Stein
Daliah Lavi	...	The Girl
Akim Tamiroff	...	Schomberg
Jûzô Itami	...	Waris (as Ichizo Itami)
Tatsuo Saitô	...	Du-Ramin
Andrew Keir	...	Brierly
Jack MacGowran	...	Robinson
Ric Young	...	Malay (as Eric Young)
Noel Purcell	...	Captain Chester
Walter Gotell	...	Captain of Patna

Storyline

James Burke, after distinguishing himself as a midshipman in the British merchant marine, rapidly rises to the rank of executive officer, second in command of a ship. A broken foot necessitates that he be put ashore to heal. After his recovery, the very proud Jim - his pride rooted in his competence, which had made him a highly respected and admired naval officer - signs on as the executive officer of the Patna, a rusty tub manned by a third-rate crew overseen by a barbarous captain, that is transporting a group of Moslem pilgrims to Mecca. During a severe storm that causes the unseaworthy ship to founder, Jim abandons ship with the rest of the white crew without even lowering the other lifeboat for the passengers. The fleeing crew are prepared to swear they saw the Patna sink with all its passengers; however, in what Jim believes is a cosmic joke upon himself, it is revealed when they get into port on their lifeboat that the Patma did not sink but had been salvaged by a French vessel...

---

Plot Keywords:

lifeboat | naval officer | merchant marine | inquiry | warlord | 

---

Taglines:

Lord Jim explodes on the screen with all its breathtaking adventure!

---

Genres:

Adventure | Drama

---

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 February 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dödens djungel

Filming Locations:

Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia British Productions, Columbia Pictures Corporation, Keep Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

154 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (35 mm prints) 70 mm 6-Track (Westrex Recording System) (70 mm prints)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dith Pran, the New York Times stringer who was the subject of the film The Killing Fields, worked with the crew as a translator.

---

Goofs

When Jim is going up river, one of his companions throws a knife into another's back, but the knife is already in his back as he turns to warn Jim.

---

Quotes

Gentleman Brown: Now, where is this gold kept, is it guarded, if so, how, and by whom?
Cornelius: How do I know I can trust you?
Gentleman Brown: You don't know.
Cornelius: What do you think?
Schomberg: [shrugs] I'm a silent partner.
Cornelius: Then I suppose we'll have to take each other's word as gentlemen?
Gentleman Brown: [sighs] I suppose.

---

Connections

Referenced in What's My Line?: Episode dated 21 February 1965 (1965)

User Reviews

Superb Acting; Don't Miss This Classic Drama

"Lord Jim" is a film that offers viewers satisfaction on many levels. Although it is set in an exotic locale and has a considerable amount of action, the real story of this movie is its exploration of the human condition. Love, honor, courage, commitment and redemption all come into play as the story moves from the sea to the jungle. It reminds us how a split-second decision can alter dramatically the course of our lives.

"Lord Jim" is a well-paced, engaging film. Peter O'Toole's thought-provoking and moving performance will stick in your mind long after you see this movie. I haven't read the book so I can't speak to the movie's faithfulness to the original text, but it does stand on its own legs as a thoroughly entertaining film. If you like movies such as "Lawrence of Arabia" or "The Sand Pebbles", you will definitely enjoy "Lord Jim." I highly recommend it.

Hopefully, it will become available on DVD soon.