Tom Jones (1963)

A foundling is raised by a country squire (George Devine) as his own son. But despite all the advantages of a privileged upbringing including tutors and mentors, the young man (Albert Finney) grows up to be a scalawag and womanizer which turns out to be his downfall as we accompany him on his adventures. Based on the classic novel by Henry Fielding and directed by Tony Richardson. A sensation in 1963 because Richardson bypassed the usual conventions of filmed classics (think of the stiffness of those BBC/Masterpiece Theatre adaptations). Richardson and his ace cinematographer Walter Lassally use handheld cameras, low flying helicopters, sped up camera movement, actors breaking the fourth wall, razor sharp editing etc. that befit this bawdy romp. The pacing rarely lags although Richardson cut out about 7 minutes for his directors cut many years later. One thing I didn't much care for is John Addison's much admired Oscar winning underscore. It just seemed too "Mickey Mouse" for me. The cast is stellar and includes Susannah York, Hugh Griffith, Joan Greenwood, Edith Evans, David Warner, Diane Cilento, David Tomlinson, Lynn Redgrave, Joyce Redman, Jack MacGowran and Rachel Kempson.