The Great Gatsby (1974)

A Midwesterner becomes fascinated with his nouveau riche neighbor, who obsesses over his lost love.

Director:

Jack Clayton

Writers:

Francis Ford Coppola (screenplay), F. Scott Fitzgerald (novel)

Stars:

Robert Redford, Mia Farrow, Bruce Dern

Won 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Redford	...	Jay Gatsby
Mia Farrow	...	Daisy Buchanan
Bruce Dern	...	Tom Buchanan
Karen Black	...	Myrtle Wilson
Scott Wilson	...	George Wilson
Sam Waterston	...	Nick Carraway
Lois Chiles	...	Jordan Baker
Howard Da Silva	...	Meyer Wolfsheim
Roberts Blossom	...	Mr. Gatz
Edward Herrmann	...	Klipspringer
Elliott Sullivan	...	Wilson's Friend
Arthur Hughes	...	Dog Vendor
Kathryn Leigh Scott	...	Catherine
Beth Porter	...	Mrs. McKee
Paul Tamarin	...	Mr. McKee

Storyline

Nick Carraway, a young Midwesterner now living on Long Island, finds himself fascinated by the mysterious past and lavish lifestyle of his neighbor, the nouveau riche Jay Gatsby. He is drawn into Gatsby's circle, becoming a witness to obsession and tragedy.

---

Plot Keywords:

neighbor | obsession | love | tragedy | lost love | 

---

Taglines:

Gone is the romance that was so divine.

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 March 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

El gran Gatsby

Filming Locations:

5th Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Newdon Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

144 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Robert Evans the final 5 names considered for the role of Daisy Buchanan were Mia Farrow, Faye Dunaway, Candice Bergen, Katharine Ross and Lois Chiles. Farrow eventually beat out Bergen for the role and Chiles was given the smaller role of Jordan Baker.

---

Goofs

When Jay shows Daisy his closet, the shirt in Daisy's hands changes from pink in a close-up to yellow in a long shot and back again.

---

Quotes

Daisy Buchanan: [embracing a shirt and weeping, presumably from joy, as Gatsby gleefully throws dozens of imported golf shirts across the room] I've never seen such beautiful shirts before.

---

Connections

Referenced in Gossip Girl: The Grandfather (2009)

---

Soundtracks

"Whispering"
Written by John Schonberger, Richard Coburn, and Vincent Rose

User Reviews

Disturbing story of idle-rich during the Roaring 20s

This lavish Hollywood treatment of the Classic F. Scott Fitzgerald novel is a visual and acoustic delight. Nelson Riddle's spellbinding score and the many brilliant camera shots capturing the splendor of an age of excesses and indulgences make for engaging entertainment. Still, the dark story will leave the viewer numb at the eventual (bitter) end. A young Mia Farrow and Robert Redford in the leads, along with excellent performances by Scott Wilson and Bruce Dern, as well as the 70s "femme fatal" staple Karen Black round out the top, with what seems to be hundreds of colorful "flapper" and servant extras in the cast. Everyone fortunate enough to be born or married or mistressed into money is living the "life", not caring about anyone and anything other than fun, fun, fun.

A series of indiscretions (by just about everyone) culminates in the "just desserts", and several deaths. The fact that life of the high and mighty seems to go on without skipping a beat, regardless of anyone's recklessness or involvement, is the tough lesson the author seems to aim for. Without conscience, what have we? All the money will not replace human emotions, though the cash seems to easily take their place. But didn't we have fun....