Lord Jim (1965)

After being discredited as a coward, a 19th century seaman lives for only one purpose: to redeem himself.

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:

character name as title | merchant marine | lifeboat | warlord | naval officer | 

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Taglines:

Between Suez and the China Sea.... ...many nameless men live and die unknown!

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Peter O'Toole said the role of Lord Jim was the finest role he ever did.

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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.

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Quotes

The General: [Sarcastically, to Cornelius] Ah, the sign of the true believer. You wear the Jesus medal, yet you beseech Buddha. Last week it was Mohammed. Before that, Confucius.

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Connections

Referenced in Gilmore Girls: Swan Song (2003)

User Reviews

Epic Jim

While quite a few filmmakers try to either be as realistic as possible or go the complete opposite way (fantasy or action wise), there was a time when a story was defined just by the main role. As is the case in this movie. The central character is so epic (in his achievements but also in his failures), that it would feel ridiculous to compare him with a human being.

There will be Blood tried to bring that sort of movie back (and depending on your view it achieved or not just that). But while Daniel Day Lewis played a different character, the intensity in the portrayal was the same! The general story line is very familiar. The central performances give this the edge it needs. But it might not be enough to convince you. Whatever you may think, it's intense and packs a punch or two along the way. Cann you bear with it (and it's central character) throughout or will you give up on it?

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [United States]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 February 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lord Jim

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 (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1