Tom Jones (1963)

The romantic and chivalrous adventures of adopted bastard Tom Jones in 18th-century England.

Director:

Tony Richardson

Writers:

John Osborne (screenplay), Henry Fielding (based on the novel by)

Stars:

Albert Finney, Susannah York, George Devine

Won 4 Oscars. Another 16 wins & 20 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

In eighteenth-century England, "first cousins" Tom Jones and Master Blifil grew up together in privilege in the western countryside, but could not be more different in nature. Tom, the bastard son of one of Squire Allworthy's servants Jenny Jones and the local barber Partridge, was raised by virtuous Allworthy as his own after he sent Jenny away. Tom is randy, chasing anything in a skirt, he's having a sexual relationship on the sly with Molly Seagrim, the peasant daughter of Allworthy's gamekeeper. Tom is nonetheless kind-hearted and good-natured, he who is willing to defend that and those in which he believes. Blifil, on the other hand, is dour, and although outwardly pious, is cold-hearted and vengeful. Despite his randiness, Tom eventually falls in love with Sophie Western, who has just returned to the area after a few years abroad. Despite Sophie's love for Tom, Squire Western and his spinster sister would rather see Sophie marry Blifil rather than a bastard, who Western ...

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Plot Keywords:

arranged marriage | farce | womanizer | rags to riches | highwayman | 

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Taglines:

The World's Fair-Haired Boy

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | History

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Certificate:

(Banned)

Did You Know?

Trivia

The production of Tom Jones (1963) was a bit of a family affair. At time of production, director Tony Richardson was the son-in-law of Rachel Kempson, who portrayed Bridget Allworthy, and the brother-in-law of Lynn Redgrave, who portrayed Susan. Both relationships were due to Richardson being married to Vanessa Redgrave from 1962 to 1967.

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Goofs

After Lady Bellaston reads Tom's letter proposing marriage, she wads it into a small ball, clearly wrinkling it. In the next scene, Lady Bellaston shows the letter to Sophie's aunt, but now it is smooth and uncrumpled.

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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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Crazy Credits

Opening credits: In the west of England there was once a Squire Allworthy. After several months in London he returned home. his sister, Bridget. his servants. after supper. "Mrs. Wilkins!" "aaah!" a baby! abandoned!!! "how did it get here?" "who can the mother be?" "Jenny Jones!" "who is the father Jenny?" "send for Partridge the barber!" Partridge the barber - the father? "I will deal with you later, sir!" "you must be sent away from this shame and degradation." "as for your child . . . . . " "I will bring him up as if he were my own son." "what will you call him brother?" "Tom Jones." of whom the opinion of all was that he was born to be hanged.

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Alternate Versions

When the film was first submitted to the BBFC, director John Trevelyan suggested to Tony Richardson that the film would pass as an 'A' (under 16's accompanied) if he removed a shot of Mrs Waters cradling an oyster on her tongue before swallowing it during the famous eating sequence. Richardson refused and the film was passed as an 'X' (no over-16's allowed). All UK releases since then have been cut by 12 secs to remove shots from a cockfight scene, which is regarded as cruel animal activity by the BBFC.

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Connections

Spoofed in Terror House (1972)

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Soundtracks

O God Our Help in Ages Past
(uncredited)
Words by Isaac Watts and music by William Croft
Sung in church

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.

Details

Official Sites:

MGM Talent Agent

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 June 1963 (UK)

Also Known As:

Tom Jones

Filming Locations:

Woodfall Films, Curzon Street, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Woodfall Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min 121 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System) Dolby Stereo (restored version) (as Dolby Stereo® in selected theatres)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1