Henry Fielding's Tom Jones
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Benjamin Whitrow, Christopher Fulford, John Sessions, Richard Ridings, Ron CookBrand: A&E
Editor: Annie Kocur
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 300 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-03-26
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: A&E Home Video
Movie Reviews of Henry Fielding's Tom Jones
Movie Review: comedy of manners and violence
Summary: 4 Stars
I have never read Henry Fielding's novel in full, and therefore, I am not exactly certain how he portrays his characters in each scene. However, I have read the SparkNotes on this novel as well as Fielding's own words that he desired the novel to be like a feast to the reader. I also know that the literary society did not take kindly to Fielding's novel due to its vulgar content.
This production of Tom Jones certainly is vulgar in comparison with many other A&E or BBC productions. Yet, I do not think the film does so against the novel. The novel does not use the best language, and while producers of films much always decide how much action to TELL/IMPLY and how much to SHOW, I do not think this production shows too much.
Fielding's novel is not like a work of Charles Dickens or Jane Austen. Therefore, the production should not try to transform Fielding's style into that of a more modest and politically-correct writer.
As for the acting of the characters, I believe most actors conveyed their characters well. The film was certainly humorous, which I am sure was the intent of the productors. Additionally, the film kept the introductory passages were an actor playing Fielding speaks about the work.
Overall, I do not regret purchasing and watching this production. I thought it was quite good - a mix between a drama and a comedy, where manners are neglected and violence abundant, but all in a way that seems like a 1960s TV comedy show.
PS: Even the scenes where characters are intoxicated or lose their tempers do not appear too graphic. I am of the opinion most high school students have been at parties were more realistic drunkenness occured than this production shows. As for the violence between characters, especially between Squire Western and his daughter, Sophia, I am rather convinced that 21st century X-box and Playstation games contain just as much violence - and violence that appears more real than any shown in this film.
Summary of Henry Fielding's Tom Jones
Studio: A&e Home Video Release Date: 03/26/2002 Run time: 300 minutes Rating: Nr"It is not enough that your actions are good. You must take care that they appear so." This is one lesson that plucky orphan Tom Jones (Max Beesley, a dead ringer for Ewan McGregor) never learns, charging through life with his chin up and his libido unchecked. With tongue firmly in cheek, narrator Henry Fielding (John Sessions) walks us through this randy satire like a tour guide, proffering introductions and amusing observations as he tours the drama. Beesley is all charm and earthy sincerity as handsome Tom, with Samantha Morton a determined, elegant, and deliciously funny Sophia and red-faced Brit stalwart Brian Blessed (Black Adder) as her blustery, bellowing pater. Comparisons to Tony Richardson's hearty interpretation are inevitable: this 1997 miniseries favors dry wit and understated asides to Richardson's knockabout comedy and high energy, and it's a delight from start to its improbably (and delightfully) contrived conclusion. --Sean Axmaker
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