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) | |
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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 |
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... Written by Jon C. Hopwood
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?