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Henry Fielding's Tom Jones | 
| Actors: John Sessions, Benjamin Whitrow, Ron Cook, Christopher Fulford, Richard Ridings
Studio: A&E Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $39.95
Buy New: $5.46
You Save: $34.49 (86%)
New (52) Used (21) from $4.32
Rating:  32 reviews
Sales Rank: 18932
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 2
Running Time: 300 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 1.3
MPN: D70425D
ISBN: 0767044398
UPC: 733961704259
EAN: 9780767044394
ASIN: B000062XDP
Theatrical Release Date: April 5, 1998
Release Date: March 26, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Studio: A&e Home Video Release Date: 03/26/2002 Run time: 300 minutes Rating: Nr
Amazon.com
"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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| Customer Reviews: Read 27 more reviews...
comedy of manners and violence May 18, 2009
Andrew Raker (PA)
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.
 Racy interpretaion... if you can look past that - Entertainment and Hilarity February 10, 2009
Melissa Williams (Belmont, NC)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
First of all - I am surprised to find so many people gave this Tom Jones interpretation 1 star.... but I read those votes are due to 'sexual content' and incorrect rating of "G."
To be blunt: You will see breasts, some buttocks here and there, and at least one 'thrusting' scene, WHICH are ALL no more than a few seconds of film time, scattered throughout. Be assured, skirts cover thighs and "other things"...... so the "smut" vote is interpretation. If you prefer prim and proper A&E/BBC...... be fairly warned.
The nature of the scenes are indicative of how people behaved in those times - from the most dignified yet depraved courtiers to the lowly housemaids... Although A&E is better known for their prudence, I found that acceptance of the scenes in this movie comes in stride with the rawness of the characters and the story, which is about scandals of THAT nature.
That being said, I found the film enjoyably different. The way that the narration is done is very reminiscent of a Monty Python storytelling - where the narrator can be easily affected by the scenery/players, as well as comical interruptions to end or begin a scene. The storyline (History of a foundling) has SO many plot twists and turns, that although the end may be guessable - the means is highly entertaining in its complexity.
Brian Blessed is a hilarious (and my favorite character) "country squire boobie" who is irrationaly blustering and bellowing. His conduct is ridiculous, but causes so much confusion and chaos, that it can't help but be amusing. Lindsay Duncan (HBO's Rome, Servillia) as the devious Lady Bellaston is fantastic - her seductive nature and relentless jealousy are a force to be reckoned with. All the actors do a superb job.
All in all, I found the film to be charming. It ISN'T your typical pristine BBC or A&E production, and it should have been rated PG-13 or R, but I believe Henry Fielding wrote the racy story in a bawdy manner to begin with. I enjoyed its hilarious confusion and earthy interpretation, with an open mind.
 Tom Jones... August 22, 2008
Michelle Polk (Mississippi, USA)
6 out of 11 found this review helpful
Disgusting movie that leaves nothing to the imagination. Sex scene after sex scene is all through this movie. It is degrading and gross. The only good thing about this movie was Tom's attidude outside of the bedroom. I can't recommend this movie to anyone.
Gilbert and Sullivan in a bawdy 17th century way with great laughter and music of the day. Delightful!!!! June 24, 2008
Timothy B. Holt (Santa Cruz and World Surfing Capital)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
I really have to place this production of a very human work of comic delight at the top of my list. Gilbert and Sullivan's Sorcerer is a companion to it and so is Iolanthe. I now know why my dear father told me to read Tom Jones when I was a teenager long ago (he also worshiped Iolanthe). I found it too stilted and of the age it was written. Now I see that it was not that it had lessons of life but that it was so much fun when you know life well (i.e. youth will not understand how funny it is)! And here you have it. Benjamin Whitrow as the father (same in the definitive "Pride and Predudice" production) is so endearing and loving and wise (much like my own dear Dad was). And all the romp with music to match and John Sessions filling in as the commenting Henry Fielding. I believe my sentence is for life and it is to watch this production yearly till death. The music, the actors, the screenplay, the direction, setting (landscape, buildings, dress, etc) are all perfect. Brian Blessed as Sophies dad is so ... well just see it. Thanks All you hard working folks who created this. It was based on a tale from a very humane judge of four hundred years ago and will last as a visual play of his work for another four hundred years. You have created a true lasting masterpiece. Thanks!!!
For all the prudes who are horrified by the morality of this period of England I feel sorrow. Perhaps watching "Moll Flanders" by Daniel Defoe might wake you up to how hard your ancestors had life and that being a good person really means not being cruel to others in the end. Caring in the face of suffering high and low. Morality is so often an excuse for cruelty. Get into the carriage and rock along with Judge Fielding and his tale of human foibles!
I'd give it ZERO stars if I could. January 11, 2008
Laura (Texas, USA)
2 out of 14 found this review helpful
This movie is just plain terrible and incredibly BORING! Don't waste your time with it.
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