Tom Jones (movie)
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Tom Jones is a 1963 comedy film which tells the story of a young 18th century man who is taken into the household of a rich gentleman and grows up living a bawdy life with many women. Albert Finney stars as the title character. Susannah York, Hugh Griffith, Dame Edith Evans, Joan Greenwood, Joyce Redman and Diane Cilento are also featured. Notably, David Tomlinson also appears.
The title character is found as a baby on Squire Allworthy's bed. Thinking that his barber and one of his servants, Jenny Jones, did it, he banishes them, and raises Tom himself. Tom grows up to be a rougish, kind, and yet very decent fellow who adores sex. But he loves only one woman, the gentle Sophie Western, who of course, loves him too. Sadly, Tom is a bastard, and cannot wed her. Soon, the stuck-up, prejudiced representatives of sobriety including two of Tom's tutors and Allworthy's evil nephew twist the truth. Allworthy sadly banishes Tom from his home. In his odyssey, Tom beds a Mrs. Waters, has to escape from a jealous husband who accuses Tom of having an affair with his wife (he did not), two deadly swordfights, Tom meets meets his accused "father", saves Mrs. Waters from rape, and is bashed in the head by a Redcoat.
The screenplay was adapted by John Osborne from Henry Fielding's novel The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. The director is Tony Richardson.
It won Academy Awards for Best Director, Best Music, Score - Substantially Original, Best Picture and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium. It was also nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Albert Finney), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Hugh Griffith), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Diane Cilento), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Dame Edith Evans), Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color.
The film is also noteworthy in that at several points, various characters break the fourth wall, look directly into the camera, and address the audience. It is said to be the last movie watched by John F. Kennedy. Some consider it to have one of the sexier eating scenes found in cinema.
Bridgwater's Castle Street was used as a location in several scenes.