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Writers: Francis Ford Coppola(screenplay), F. Scott Fitzgerald(novel)
Cast: Robert Redford, Mia Farrow, Bruce Dern, Karen Black
Genre: Drama, Romance
1974's The Great Gatsby is one of five films based on the classic 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The first was a 1926 silent film, now lost. Then came Hollywood's attempt in 1949, a movie that I reviewed and found dismal. After this version, came a TV movie in 2000 and then the big budget Leonardo DiCaprio film in 2013. This 1974 version features two huge stars of the day, Robert Redford and Mia Farrow.
The screen play is credited to Francis Ford Coppola, who replaced Truman Capote. Interesting though Coppola himself says not much of his script made it into production:
The Great Gatsby (1974), is full of beautiful mansions and beautiful breezy costumes...and full of extras doing the Charleston. It looks great. In a way it's a film that's all dressed up and waiting for a spark to make it go...but that spark never comes.
Of course it's a poignantly sad story based on one of the 20th century beloved classics by F. Scott Fitzgerald...But boy did this film fall flat, mainly do to Robert Redford who's as wooden as can be in this. According to an interview with Mia Farrow, the pair had no chemistry as he spent every minute he could watching the unfolding Water Gate crisis on TV and so was emotionally un-invested in the film.
Mia Farrow as Daisy, was more spacey as in a space cadet...than a haughty near-do-well beauty. When combined with a wooden Robert Redford, nothing much happens with the couple. Sam Waterson was a bit better but the only main actors worth their chops was Bruce Dern and Karen Black. Watch this one for the glamorous sets.
The Great Gatsby (1974)
Director: Jack ClaytonWriters: Francis Ford Coppola(screenplay), F. Scott Fitzgerald(novel)
Cast: Robert Redford, Mia Farrow, Bruce Dern, Karen Black
Genre: Drama, Romance
1974's The Great Gatsby is one of five films based on the classic 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The first was a 1926 silent film, now lost. Then came Hollywood's attempt in 1949, a movie that I reviewed and found dismal. After this version, came a TV movie in 2000 and then the big budget Leonardo DiCaprio film in 2013. This 1974 version features two huge stars of the day, Robert Redford and Mia Farrow.
The screen play is credited to Francis Ford Coppola, who replaced Truman Capote. Interesting though Coppola himself says not much of his script made it into production:
On his commentary track for the DVD release of The Godfather, Coppola refers to writing the Gatsby script, adding "Not that the director paid any attention to it. The script that I wrote did not get made."
The Great Gatsby (1974), is full of beautiful mansions and beautiful breezy costumes...and full of extras doing the Charleston. It looks great. In a way it's a film that's all dressed up and waiting for a spark to make it go...but that spark never comes.
Of course it's a poignantly sad story based on one of the 20th century beloved classics by F. Scott Fitzgerald...But boy did this film fall flat, mainly do to Robert Redford who's as wooden as can be in this. According to an interview with Mia Farrow, the pair had no chemistry as he spent every minute he could watching the unfolding Water Gate crisis on TV and so was emotionally un-invested in the film.
Mia Farrow as Daisy, was more spacey as in a space cadet...than a haughty near-do-well beauty. When combined with a wooden Robert Redford, nothing much happens with the couple. Sam Waterson was a bit better but the only main actors worth their chops was Bruce Dern and Karen Black. Watch this one for the glamorous sets.