The Great Gatsby (1974)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Jack Clayton

Writers:

Francis Ford Coppola (screenplay)
F. Scott Fitzgerald (novel)

Release Date:

29 March 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Gone is the romance that was so divine.

Plot:

Nick Carraway, a young Midwesterner now living on Long Island, finds himself fascinated by the mysterious past and lavish lifestyle of his neighbor...

Plot Keywords:

Obsession | Tragedy | Ring | Dance Scene | Abusive Boyfriend

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Robert Redford	...	Jay Gatsby
Mia Farrow	...	Daisy Buchanan
Bruce Dern	...	Tom Buchanan
Karen Black	...	Myrtle Wilson
Scott Wilson	...	George Wilson
Sam Waterston	...	Nick Carraway
Lois Chiles	...	Jordan Baker
Howard Da Silva	...	Meyer Wolfsheim
Roberts Blossom	...	Mr. Gatz
Edward Herrmann	...	Klipspringer
Elliott Sullivan	...	Wilson's Friend
Arthur Hughes	...	Dog Vendor
Kathryn Leigh Scott	...	Catherine
Beth Porter	...	Mrs. McKee
Paul Tamarin	...	Mr. McKee

Runtime:

144 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:12 (re-rating) (2003) | UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) | Portugal:M/12 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:11 | USA:PG | Australia:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

5th Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Originally, Truman Capote was the screenwriter, and his draft included making Nick a homosexual and Jordan Baker a vindictive lesbian. Capote was fired, and Francis Ford Coppola finished his draft in three weeks.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Although set in 1925, a 1934 Packard drives by at one point.

Quotes:

Nick Carraway: There was music from my neighbor's house through those summer nights. In his enchanted gardens, men and girls came and went like moths, among the whispering and the champagne and the stars. I believe that few people were actually invited to these parties. They just went. They got into automobiles that bore them out to Long Island, and somehow they ended up at Gatsby's door. Come for the party with a simplicity of heart that was it's own ticket of admission.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Thirteen (2003)

Soundtrack:

What'll I Do?

Looks great, tastes awful

This adaptation may have worked with the mute button on, but the cheezy movie-of-the-week score, the shrill cries of Mia Farrow, and the pallid reading by Robert Redford doom this film. Bruce Dern as Tom Buchanan makes as much sense as Jimmie 'J.J.' Walker as Muhammad Ali - the physical strength that defined Tom is totally missing.

The staging, costumes, and incidentals (cars, etc.) are gorgeous, but the beauty of Fitzgerald's prose is nowhere to be found. This must be a difficult work to film, and it shows.