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...

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Plot Keywords:

merchant marine | lifeboat | warlord | naval officer | gunpowder | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 February 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dödens djungel

Filming Locations:

Cambodia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia British Productions,Keep Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

154 min

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In her book :"To The End Of Hell", Denise Affonço notes that her late husband Phou Teang Seng (who was later murdered by the Khmer Rouge) worked on this film as a stage manager and was responsible for the entire crew's canteen. Denise spent a month on the set (in Siem Reap) while pregnant with her son, Jean-Jacques.

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Goofs

When Lord Jim's lone crew member deserts him on the river, Jim chooses to carry on alone. Before he starts to row, the boat begins moving.

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Quotes

Gentleman Brown: [to Cornelius after breaking his liquor bottle with his sword] Drunk, you're useless... unreliable!
Schomberg: Sober he's the same.

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Connections

Referenced in What's My Line?: James Mason - 4th appearance as mystery guest (1965)

User Reviews

Conrad Goes Hollywood

Conrad's novels,like those of Pasternak,are often read more for the mood and the tone than for the plot.In certain cases,the facts are the least important aspect.In my opinion,this is the state of "Lord Jim".The middle part does appear to be similar to a cross between a Tarzan movie,any film revolt against oppression,and "Treasure Island".Oh,but isn't Wallach's General,philosophical and sadistic,evily wise and perceptive,a vast improvement on the original?Sherif Ali was a crook,masquerading as a religious fanatic.The appearance of the pirates,however,enjoyable as it is,really proves to undermine Conrad's intrention.This is a bungled robbery,and Mason's sterling performance shows us a clever and insightful crook manipulating a dupe.In the original,the pirates appear almost as an instrument of fate,allowing Jim to destroy himself.Brown is Jim's unrecognized alter-ego;without acknowledging his own dark impulses,and dealing with them constructively,he(and the rest of us as well) fouls up his career and life.Everything else considered,this is still an enjoyable film,and a great tale of adventure.Watch it,but read the novel when it comes time to do the book report.