Tom Jones

Albert Finney has a bawdy field day as the titular hero in this Oscar winning adaptation of Henry Fielding's picaresque 18th century novel. Tom, a foundling, spends the vast majority of his time wining, dining, and wenching. The three pastimes come together in one of the cinema's most riotously funny and sexy scenes--as Tom and the object of his affections (Joyce Redman) lustily eat their way through dinner, replete with gastronomical sounds of delight, and extreme close-ups of masticating jaws. Credit must go to John Osborne's brilliant script and Tony Richardson's artfully experimental direction (both picked up Oscars). A highly original film, that plows through its story, rollercoaster style. Long out-of-print (it was originally released on the CBS/Fox label), Tom Jones was the only Oscar winner for Best Picture during the last forty years that was not readily available. This new version features digitally remastered stereo surround sound and is presented in the letterboxed format. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman) [Blu-ray/DVD Review—Feb. 20, 2018—Criterion, 2 discs, 128 min., not rated, DVD: $29.95, Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and debut on Blu-ray, 1963's Tom Jones features a fine transfer and uncompressed monaural and stereo soundtracks on the Blu-ray release. Including both the theatrical version and the director's cut, extras include a featurette with cinematographer Walter Lassally (25 min.), 'The Influence of Tom Jones' interview with film scholar Duncan Petrie (22 min.), an interview with editor Robert Lambert (10 min.), an interview with Vanessa Redgrave on her former husband, director Tony Richardson (10 min.), an audio interview with composer John Addison (8 min.), a brief excerpt from a 1982 episode of The Dick Cavett Show with star Albert Finney (5 min.), and a booklet. Bottom line: a sparkling edition of this multi-Oscar-winning classic.]