Lord Jim

Rating:
Summary: Thrilling Adventure, Warfare on Two Fronts
Review: "Lord Jim" is handicapped by the fact that people will always compare it to David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia," which had the same leading man and a similar theme. Despite its Conradian source, "Lord Jim" doesn't have a hero as complex or a setting as compelling as Lean's masterpiece. But it is spectacular entertainment, and a serious inquiry into the roots of human actions.

Despite some B-Movie flourishes (Eli Wallach and Jim's "love interest" are particularly risable), the vulnerability and humanity of its hero captivate the viewer. And the Indonesian setting, while culturally very inaccurate, does evoke the mystery and exotica of 19th century travelogues. At its conclusion, the script tends to talk to death certain conclusions that the viewer could have reached on his/her own, but O'Toole is gifted enough to make it affecting. And anyway, the action sequences, and musky South China Sea atmosphere, are breathtaking.

For those who complain that it is overlong, I suggest you view it as a trilogy, as it is divided quite neatly into three sections, each with its own conflict, cast, and rising momentum. The first is the best, but all have their own brand of power and fascination. I've seen this film many, many times, and even the clumsy or silly parts give me enormous pleasure. I think you'll feel the same way.

In conclusion, I don't share the general bitterness that Amazon endorses a reviewer like Leonard Maltin. He has simply seen more movies than anyone else (it's his whole "life," after all), hence is more likely to have seen whatever film Amazon needs reviewed. It's obviously a decision based on convenience, not ability.

Rating:
Summary: Plodding and Confusing
Review: I watched this movie with my parents yesterday and we all agreed it was interesting, but difficult to follow. Just seems like there are minor action/plot points that make you go, "Huh?, Who did that? Why? Was this-or-action finished yet?", and these problems become distracting. (My father and I thought disjointed editing was the main cause. He suspects this rather long film was even longer, originally.)

There's not a lot of range in OToole's performance.

The production feels a little weird. I couldn't decide whether Jim was supposed to be in Indonesia, Burma, or India in the middle of the film, due to the religious mixups. But I'll give it some kudos for the large supporting cast of "natives", which helped restore a feeling of authenticity.

Granted, it's a difficult book to put on film. But I think with better editing choices in the cutting room and (a little dialog trim), it could have been a better 2 hour movie-- instead of a ho-hum 2.5 hour one.

Rating:
Summary: A Uniquely Thoughtful Adventure Epic
Review: If you favor the David Lean approach to grand scale epic film-making, you mustn't miss a wide screen viewing of this gem. It is too thoughtful, intelligent, even philosophic to move at a pace which would suit devotees of todays thrill-a-minute offerings, yet it offers so many rewards which are seldom found these days. Amidst lushly photographed, exotic settings and loaded with fabulous performances by some of the screen's all-time finest actors, "Lord Jim" dares to mix action adventure with a penetrating examination of moral issues like courage and honor and integrity. The visual production is wondrous and makes a quality widescreen edition intensely desireable and long overdue.

Rating:
Summary: ANOTHER DVD RELEASE, PLEASE!
Review: LORD JIM is a great film. It really surprised me how a great movie could be adapted from a bad novel! The movie is AWESOME! A great film for the collection. This film screams DVD Release! Please do so. PULEASE!!Grade: A

Rating:
Summary: Literary Classic transformed on the silver screen
Review: Richard Brooks adaptation of Joseph Conrad's fascinating work Lord Jim, was received in 1965 to mixed reviews.

The movie is an attempt at recasting Conrad's work in the action adventure genre. What is perhaps one of the most compelling works of character in English literature losses its power in the process. What it then becomes is lavishly told, ploddingly paced action adventure fare. And in this category it suffers greatly by comparison to the more recent Indiana Jones series of movies.

The novel presents numerous challenges to the lead actor and director: the structure is complex, Jim speaks infrequently, and (most importantly) it deals with the inner substance of Jim's character. Bringing this together in a well told visual tale is an overwhelming challenge.

Richard Brooks and Peter O'toole should be congratulated for their effort, but the results earned them only a plodding "B" movie.