Tom Jones
UK (1963): Comedy/Adventure/Romance
Winner of four Academy Awards, this 1963 adaptation of Henry Fielding's classic novel is a rousing, bawdy comedy about a young man's ribald adventures in 18th-century England. Albert Finney is splendidly hilarious in the title role of a charming womanizer who was discovered as an abandoned infant in the bed of Squire Allworthy, a wealthy landowner who named the child Tom Jones and raised him as his own. As a young man, Tom yearns for the comely daughter (Susannah York) of a neighboring squire, but his amorous adventures (including an extended food orgy that becomes the film's funniest scene) lead him to London and to a duel with a jealous husband. He's sentenced to hang, but fate intervenes. A hit around the world, the film was expertly written by noted playwright John Osborne, and Richardson uses a variety of old-style movie techniques to heighten the lusty, good-natured fun. The cast also features Hugh Griffith, Dame Edith Evans, Joyce Redman and Diane Cilento (all of whom received supporting acting nominations) as well as Joan Greenwood, Peter Bull and Lynn Redgrave (in her feature film debut). (Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com)
10 nominations, 4 Awards
· Best Picture 1963: Tony Richardson - Producer [Woodfall, UA-Lopert (British]
· Directing 1963: Tony Richardson
· Writing (Best Screenplay based on material from another medium) 1963: John Osborne
· Music Scoring Awards (Music Score substantially original) 1963: John Addison
· Actor 1963: Albert Finney
· Supporting Actor 1963: Hugh Griffith
· Supporting Actress 1963: Joyce Redman
· Supporting Actress 1963: Dame Edith Evans
· Supporting Actress 1963: Diane Cilento
· Art Direction/Set Decoration (Color) 1963: Ralph Brinton, Ted Marshall & Jocelyn Herbert - Art Direction, Josie MacAvin - Set Decoration