Lord Jim [VHS] [1965]

Well, Peter O'Toole was never going to find another character as magnificent as Lawrence of Arabia. And his first films after that triumph were commendable attempts to avoid typecasting - What's New Pussycat and Becket. But it was inevitable he would again become a tormented blonde Englishman in an alien environment. And he could have done a lot worse than starring as Lord Jim for Richard Brooks.

Any discussion of this film has to concentrate on O'Toole and Brooks. That is not to say there are no other impressive performances, or that the film is not beautifully photographed or graced with a lushly evocative score. But the film is Brooks' vision and O'Toole is the one who must bring it to life. They are both reasonably successful.

Brooks obviously wanted to create an intelligent epic - one to rival the David Lean/Robert Bolt collaborations. But Brooks was both writer and director - and he was adapting a book that was as psychological as potentially visual. Luckily for him, audiences in the 1960s were more sophisticated (dare we say intelligent?) and willing to think about what they were watching than today's consumers of assembly-line disposable entertainment. So characters could discuss and debate as well as blow things up. Although the disjointed nature of the film suggests pre-release studio interference. In the end, the film is a commendable attempt - perhaps more worthy than enjoyable, but still with lots to hold the viewer's interest.

The southeast Asian locations are frequently spectacular and some sequences - the storm at sea and the battle with pirates - are excitingly staged. The film always looks and sounds beautiful. And, for once, an international cast with various accents actually contributes to the flavour of the script and characters. Stalwart Jack Hawkins, industrious Paul Lukas, wily Eli Wallach (doing a variation on his Magnificent Seven bandit) and James Mason seemingly enjoying himself as a gentleman pirate. The "native" players are unusually good. Only gorgeous Daliah Lavi occasionally seems out of place, looking more like a sixties dolly bird than an exotic maiden.

But, of course, it is Peter O'Toole who commands the greatest attention. He is seldom off the screen and is probably the main reason for viewing the film today. He is properly enigmatic although without the multiple layers of Lawrence. This may well be the only film in which O'Toole actually underacts.

I'm quite glad to have seen Lord Jim again after so long - and with it looking so good on DVD. It's not a classic, not a film to be watched repeatedly. But it's a fine example of a large scale epic that could also be thoughtful and almost moving. A relic of an age of big and brave film making.

A film they used to put on in the school holidays, which suits it well, as it is both a good adventure yarn, and a story of moral courage. It is actually a very decent film, its only slight flaw is its rather excessive length. Will boys (or girls) with today's attention spans be able to wait for the thought provoking end? I'm sure some will, maybe the more literate ones. And this links nicely to the literiness of the film. Based on a typically Conradian, dour, deep journey of one man's search for honour and self worth, it gets across the obvious moralistic messages and undertones very ably, with the help of the two star actors: Two of Britain's finest: Mason and O'Toole. They play enemies here, both educated characters, and both detesting each other's moral make up. Mason is almost admirable in his honest criminality, pitted against the nauseating goodness of the noble-spirited O'Toole. Their bickering rivalry is the highlight of the film for me, with all the action and explosions of this ripping adventure, it is the war of words these two share, when they get to exchange their opinions of each other that makes the film memorable. 'You stink of piety!' sneers the unimpressed Mason, when it's clear his adversary is not one to back down from his 'mission'. The sort of film that used to be made quite often, but may seem old fashioned to some kids now. Certainly not just a kid's film though, it has more than enough depth for any adult. A darn good yarn.

ps. Eli Wallach is also in top form here as a Kurtzesque crime lord in the Asian jungle.

After reading Conrad's novel "Lord Jim" I was delighted to know that there was a DVD version available, and I could hardly wait for the order to arrive.
Though the film version of this novel is pleasing to watch, its screen adaptation of the novel with all the changes was a disappoinment and shock. But then how does one translate a masterpiece, with its pages of dialogue, probing into the mysteries and reality of the soul of a man, to the screen? Mr. Brooks must also have had an eye on the boxoffice and this is the result. As an adventure film for mature boys it is above average and beautifully shot, but alas it is not Conrad.