The romantic and chivalrous adventures of adopted bastard Tom Jones in 18th-century England.The romantic and chivalrous adventures of adopted bastard Tom Jones in 18th-century England.The romantic and chivalrous adventures of adopted bastard Tom Jones in 18th-century England.
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
13K
YOUR RATING
- Director
- Writers
- John Osborne(screenplay)
- Henry Fielding(based on the novel by)
- Stars
Top credits
- Director
- Writers
- John Osborne(screenplay)
- Henry Fielding(based on the novel by)
- Stars
- Won 4 Oscars
- 20 wins & 20 nominations total
Videos1
- Director
- Writers
- John Osborne(screenplay)
- Henry Fielding(based on the novel by)
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
- All cast & crew
Storyline
In eighteenth-century England, "first cousins" Tom Jones and Master Blifil grew up together in privilege in the western countryside, but could not be more different in nature. Tom, the bastard son of one of Squire Allworthy's servants Jenny Jones and the local barber Partridge, was raised by virtuous Allworthy as his own after he sent Jenny away. Tom is randy, chasing anything in a skirt, he's having a sexual relationship on the sly with Molly Seagrim, the peasant daughter of Allworthy's gamekeeper. Tom is nonetheless kind-hearted and good-natured, he who is willing to defend that and those in which he believes. Blifil, on the other hand, is dour, and although outwardly pious, is cold-hearted and vengeful. Despite his randiness, Tom eventually falls in love with Sophie Western, who has just returned to the area after a few years abroad. Despite Sophie's love for Tom, Squire Western and his spinster sister would rather see Sophie marry Blifil rather than a bastard, who Western nonetheless liked before he knew that Tom liked Sophie. Based on half truths, Tom, out of circumstance, is forced to leave his home and strike out on his own in London. While Sophie sneaks away in search of Tom, and Squire Western and Miss Western go off in search of Sophie, Tom gets into one misadventure after another on his way to London, some involving his randiness, and some which will reveal certain aspects of his life previously unknown to him. Through it all, Sophie, deep down, is never far from his mind, even when his life is in danger. —Huggo
- Taglines
- Tom Jones! . . . loves and loves and loves and loves . . . [UK]
- Genres
- Certificate
- Not Rated
- Parents guide
Did you know
- GoofsAfter Lady Bellaston reads Tom's letter proposing marriage, she wads it into a small ball. Lady Bellaston later shows the letter to Sophie's aunt, but it is now smooth and uncrumpled.
- Crazy creditsOpening credits: In the west of England there was once a Squire Allworthy. After several months in London he returned home. his sister, Bridget. his servants. after supper. "Mrs. Wilkins!" "aaah!" a baby! abandoned!!! "how did it get here?" "who can the mother be?" "Jenny Jones!" "who is the father Jenny?" "send for Partridge the barber!" Partridge the barber - the father? "I will deal with you later, sir!" "you must be sent away from this shame and degradation." "as for your child . . . . . " "I will bring him up as if he were my own son." "what will you call him brother?" "Tom Jones." of whom the opinion of all was that he was born to be hanged.
- Alternate versionsFor the 1989 reissue/restoration, the director trimmed approx. 7 minutes from the original. The initial home video release in 1981 on the Magnetic Video label contains the full-length original, which includes the following footage/dialogue cut from the reissue:
- Tom running from Squire Western; Black George caught for killing sheep; trial
- Sophie: "Oh, my little bird."
- Molly being called a slut by her family: "You will have a bastard"
- Tom/Sophie montage: Tom reading, eating nuts, picking berries, Tom and Sophie singing
- Teachers fighting Tom; Tom going around tree; riding teacher
- Tom's dream at the Inn
- Sophie and Lady Fitzpatrick: Trimmed frames from laughing
- Sophie and Lady Fitzpatrick: "What will you do in London?" "I have a friend..."
- Sophie and Lady Fitzpatrick: "What about your friend?" "He is away for a few days. When he returns we shall make other arrangements."
- Lady Bellaston and Lady Fitzpatrick: "The girl is obviously intoxicated and nothing less than ruin will content her."
- Lady Bellaston muttering French phrase at dinner
- Lady Bellaston: Dialog after "Are you afraid of the word 'rape'?"
- Transition from Bellaston and Fellamore to Tom and Partridge
- Transition from Tom and Partridge to "Rape"
- Partridge and Tom: "She'll be the one to break it off"; transition to note; dialog: Narrator reads letter, Bellaston remarks to maid not to receive Tom Jones again.
- "Scandal are the best sweeteners of tea."; transition
- Partridge looking for people to uphold Tom's character (in the original he approaches one man, then two more - scene of him approaching the first man was cut)
- No reprise of song for Tom as he's going to be hanged
- End titles (re-done for reissue with restoration credits and extended music by 15 seconds, while cutting some of the original company credits)
- ConnectionsFeatured in Precious Images (1986)
Top review
I fell off my chair!
While my mother claims this is a "guy movie," I'm not a guy and find it one of the funniest, most charming movies ever made. The narration, music and just plain spunky tone of this movie makes it a unique piece -- you really DO have to see it to understand what it's all about! I highly recommend this movie -- as well as the book, which was published in 1749 but is just as funny today and highly readable, not "quaint" at all!
helpful•4214
- Wiebke
- Sep 5, 2000
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Tom Jones - Zwischen Bett und Galgen
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $1,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 9 minutes
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content

Recently viewed
Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.