everything you have heard about this movie is true.

best movie i've ever seen.

A lot of fun.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

In eighteenth century England, "first cousins" Tom Jones (Albert Finney) and Master Blifil grew up together in privilege in the western countryside, but could not be more different in nature.This is a truly odd film. It could be a straight drama, but instead has a humor that is reminiscent of the works of Beaumarchais. Was the original novel this humorous? I have my doubts, but perhaps so. Even from the very beginning, we have a silent film gag that is more appropriate in a Mel Brooks movie.Strangely, today the words "Tom Jones" are never used to refer to the novel or the movie, but to the singer. His name is Thomas Jones Woodward, so whether or not he took his name from the book or just thought it sounded better than "Tom Woodward", I have no idea.

I've attempted to watch this "Oscar winner" a number of times and have not gotten through the entire movie. This is a mess! Dialogue undecipherable, no plot, little in the way of characterization. It is a series of pointless scenes leading to nothing. I will say that it foreshadows a great deal of pointless,mindless, noisy, messy drug addled swinging 60's films that followed it. I refer to "Casino Royale", the last part of "What's New Pussycat" and "Rowan and Martins Laugh-in." I suppose at the time it seemed revolutionary and rebellious. But like many a sixties extravagance, it now appears to be nothing but self-indulgent senseless garbage. Oh, and why was Molly hanging out in the woods?

Tom Jones is a rollicking tale of an 18th century rake roaming the English countryside where trouble is sure to follow. Tony Richardson's interpretation of the Fielding novel captures the ribald flavor of the book while Walter Lassaly's flawless photography stunningly captures picturesque landscapes, candle lit interiors and the frenzy of the hunt littered with hounds and horses. Richardson chooses wisely from the picaresque work and Jones gallops along at an energetic pace as Richardson fills his painterly compositions with scenes of subtle and slapstick seduction and narrow escape.As Tom, boyishly handsome Albert Finney is a combination of irresistible charm and clumsy stealth. In spite of his lustful predicaments and date with the hangman Finney somehow maintains a priapic innocence throughout. The supporting cast is uniformly excellent with special mention going to Hugh Griffith's gruff Squire Western Edith Evans, Joyce Redmond and the venerable Jack MacGowan as Patridge.Honored in its day but mostly ignored for its importance today Tom Jones has aged far better than most. Its irreverent style, lush look and energetic rhythm is as fresh and impressive now as it was when first released. An excellently crafted work.

Beautifully filmed, marvelously acted but since it's a farce there's little doubt about how things will eventually turn out, and given that, it lags in parts and could have benefited by better editing. Having said that, still a rare treat! The leads, Finney and York are fine, but it's the supporting cast that steal the show! John Osbourne stuck close to the novel and the sumptuous photography and little details (hardly a scene in the countryside lacks a stray dog or a hen, urban scenes reflect the squalor of 17th Century London) impart a strong sense of place. But again, the overall spriteliness wears a little thin over the length of the film. It's still a worthwhile experience! Enjoy!