The Great Gatsby (1974)
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A writer becomes entangled in the lavish, tragic world of a mysterious millionaire obsessed with reuniting with a former lover.
The story
Writer Nick Carraway moves to a small cottage in West Egg, next to a mysterious tycoon named Jay Gatsby, who regularly throws extravagant parties. While Nick learns of the troubled marriage of his cousin Daisy and her husband Tom in East Egg, he is drawn into Gatsby's orbit. Amidst the riotous parties of the Jazz Age on Long Island, Nick is eventually invited to meet Gatsby privately. The narrative follows Nick's interactions with the enigmatic millionaire and the underlying tensions of the wealthy elite, as Gatsby seeks to reconnect with Daisy, his former lover.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Nick Carraway moves to West Egg and becomes acquainted with Jay Gatsby, a wealthy man known for his lavish parties. Nick learns that Gatsby's neighbor, Tom Buchanan, is having an affair with Myrtle Wilson. At Gatsby's request, Nick arranges for him to meet Daisy Buchanan, his former lover. The two begin an affair, which eventually leads to a tense confrontation at the Plaza Hotel where Gatsby demands Daisy admit she never loved Tom. During the drive home, Daisy accidentally hits and kills Myrtle. Believing Gatsby was the driver, Myrtle's husband, George, shoots Gatsby and then commits suicide. Nick attends a funeral where no one but Gatsby's father attends, and he eventually moves back to the Midwest, lamenting Gatsby's inability to escape his past.
- First release year
- 1974
- Runtime (minutes)
- 146
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Jack Clayton
- Writers
- Francis Ford Coppola · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Robert Redford · Jay Gatsby; Mia Farrow · Daisy Buchanan; Bruce Dern · Tom Buchanan; Sam Waterston · Nick Carraway; Karen Black · Myrtle Wilson, George's wife; Scott Wilson · George Wilson, Myrtle's husband; Lois Chiles · Jordan Baker; Edward Herrmann · Ewing Klipspringer
- Genres
- historical; romantic drama
- Themes
- obsession; class; the past; wealth
- Tone and mood
- savagely genteel; lifeless; frivolous
- Premise and plot tags
- historical drama; romance; prohibition
- Source material / true-story basis
- 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews, being praised for its faithful interpretation of the novel but also criticized for lacking any true emotion or feelings towards the Jazz Age. It was a financial success, grossing over $26 million against a $7 million budget.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 40% · review count: 42
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Costume Design · win; Academy Award · Best Music · win; BAFTA · Best Art Direction · win; BAFTA · Best Cinematography · win; BAFTA · Best Costume Design · win; Golden Globe · Best Supporting Actress · win
- Production trivia
- The film was preceded by 1926 and 1949 films of the same name.; Producer Robert Evans originally sought Warren Beatty for the role of Jay Gatsby.; Director Jack Clayton convinced producer Robert Evans to cast Robert Redford because he believed the book did not specify Gatsby had dark hair.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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