
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... (Full plot summary below)
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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.
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| USA TodayMike ClarkOne of the wildest, bawdiest and funniest comedies that a refreshingly agile filmmaker has ever brought to the screen. |
| New York TimesBosley CrowtherPrepare yourself for what is surely one of the wildest, bawdiest and funniest comedies that a refreshingly agile filmmaker has ever brought to the screen. |
| Empire MagazineDavid ParkinsonIf Tom Jones now feels something of a product of its times, it still deserves credit for attempting something new - no matter how derivative. |
| Time OutRobert MurphyOsborne's courageous hatchet job on Fielding's 1,000 page classic novel and Finney's gutsy performance add up to produce an enjoyable piece of irreverent entertainment. |
| The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Jay ScottA fast-paced, tongue-in-cheek movie about an engaging foundling. |
| Antagony & EcstasyTim BraytonA classic not just of literary adaptation, but of the last truly adventurous era in British and European filmmaking. |
| New York Daily NewsKate CameronA fast-paced, tongue-in-cheek movie about an engaging foundling. |
| Washington PostMartie ZadScreenwriter John Osborne and Richardson (both received Oscars as well) came up with a smart solution to the problem of adapting an 18th-century literary classic: Turn it into bawdy slapstick with generous helpings of then- daring sex and violence. |
| ReelViewsJames BerardinelliTom Jones succeeded in large part because of its wit, its performances, and its energy. |
| Creative LoafingMatt BrunsonDecades of art-house imitators and Benny Hill reruns may have removed some of the luster, but there's still plenty to admire and enjoy in this bawdy British effort. |