Lord Jim
1965
This faithful adaptation of Joseph Conrad's 1900 novel tells the story of a romantic young Englishman, Jim (Peter O'Toole), who takes to the sea on a merchant vessel in his quest for adventure. Imagining himself to be a great man with a bright future, Jim instead deserts at the first true test of his mettle--in a torrential .. Read more
| Starring | Peter O'Toole, James Mason, Eli Wallach, Curt Jurgens |
|---|---|
| Director | Richard Brooks |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Thriller |
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Lord Jim
This faithful adaptation of Joseph Conrad's 1900 novel tells the story of a romantic young Englishman, Jim (Peter O'Toole), who takes to the sea on a merchant vessel in his quest for adventure. Imagining himself to be a great man with a bright future, Jim instead deserts at the first true test of his mettle--in a torrential storm that threatens the ship and the lives of its passengers. Wracked with guilt and shame over his cowardly act, Jim travels the world in search of an opportunity to prove his worth and retrieve his lost honour. He finds such an opportunity in the jungles of Southeast Asia, where he leads the oppressed natives in a revolt against the tyrannical general who rules over them. Peter O'Toole is charming as the well-mannered and honourable Englishman who is haunted by his past mistakes. Surrounded by lush beauty and the captivating spirit of the islanders, he rediscovers his courage and honour and ultimately finds redemption. Filmed on location in Cambodia and Hong Kong, this epic resonates with the power of its exotic and gorgeous settings, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere.
| Starring | Peter O'Toole, James Mason, Eli Wallach, Curt Jurgens, Jack Hawkins, Paul Lukas, Akim Tamiroff, Daliah Lavi |
|---|---|
| Director | Richard Brooks |
| Studio | SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 28 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Thriller |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 27 Sep 2004 Production year: 1965 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Peter O'Toole gives his finest performance as victim-hero after Lawrence of Arabia in this adaptation of Joseph Conrad's story about a merchant seaman branded a coward after jumping ship during a storm. His search for salvation in South East Asia results in action against a fanatical tyrant lording it over oppressed natives. Writer/director Richard Brooks allows the plot to meander out of control, but the presence of actors such as James Mason and Jack Hawkins provides a counterbalance to O'Toole's introspection, while Freddie Young's photography of the mist-shrouded rivers and jungles emphasises the weird spirituality of Lord Jim's quest for redemption.
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Lush and very boring farrago of miscellaneous incident, with a central character about whose fate no one can care. However, an expensive production must have its points of interest, and the belated introduction of a gentleman villain gives a little edge.
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Most helpful member's review
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Lawrence of Cambodia ?
This is a faithful and fairly accurate adaption of Conrad's magnificent novel.There are stirling performances from James Mason and Jack Hawkins, but Peter O'Toole doesn't quite capture the mystique of Jim as Conrad intended.He seems to see the character as some kind of 'Lawrence of Cambodia'.However,there is plenty of excitement, performed with gusto by a notable cast.
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Most recent members' review
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Doesn't really Cut the Mustard
I am Joseph Conrad's No 1 fan, but never got on with 'Lord Jim'. I understand Conrad himself did not rate it much, yet to many people Lord Jim is the only Conrad book they have heard of, and it is often used as a school set book.
It was originally meant to be a short story, just the Patna episode, but Conrad wrote on, to follow Jim's subsequent life. The join between the two parts shows badly in book and film - it is not a rounded story like 'Youth' (equivalent to the shipwreck part) or 'An Outcast of the Islands' (equivalent to the rest).
The film treats the story as a 'ripping yarn' and conveys none of the self-doubt or inner turmoil of the human mind, which is such a theme in all Conrad's books, and thus leaves Jim's actions, particularly at the end, hard to understand.
Perhaps a modern remake would do it better. -
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