LORD JIM
UK, 1965, 145 minutes, Colour.
Peter O' Toole, James Mason, Eli Wallach, Jack Hawkins, Curt Jurgens, Paul Lukas, Dahlia Lavi, Akim Tamiroff, Andrew Keir, Jack Mac Gowran, Christian Marquand.
Directed by Richard Brooks.
Lord Jim is Richard Brooks' screen adaptation of Joseph Conrad's famous novel. Where the novel is slow-paced and psychological, the film consists of swift action sequences into which the deeper, more reflective conversations or speeches are fairly convincingly inserted. Thus the flavour of the colourful Conrad world of the sea and Asia is communicated along with the themes of conscience, responsibility, heroism and destiny. The film is lavishly made and beautifully photographed.
Peter O' Toole seems ideal for the role of Jim - he made this film after Lawrence of Arabia and Becket - having the right combination of British heroism and unbalanced fear and introspection. The rest of the cast is good, although Eli Wallach, Curt Jurgens and Jack Hawkins play conventional roles. James Mason is rather uncharacteristic as Duncan Brown. Richard Brooks has written novels as well as directing films. For many years he has also written his own screenplays, including a number from classic novels or plays - Cat On a Hot Tin Roof (1958); Sweet Bird of Youth (1962); The Brothers Karamazov (1957); Elmer Gantry (1960); In Cold Blood (1967).
1. Was this just an exotic adventure story? Why?
2. How effective was the structure of the film, the narrative by the English Captain?
3. How did the early sequences build up the atmosphere and introduce the theme of the film?
4. Why did Jim jump from the Patnia - how much was fear, cowardice, the crew, the storm, panic, fantasy, the Muslims, sense of responsibility, surprise at his fear, sheer impulse?
5. What was Jim's immediate reaction to what he had done - learning that the Patnia had been saved, the possibility of flight or court martial?
6. How strong was the theme of expiation in the film? What did Jim do to expiate his cowardice? Why? What motivated and impelled him?
7. How strong was the theme of fate, luck, destiny, the tricks of Providence in the film? Who was responsible for Jim's life and failures - destiny, chance or himself?
8. Much was said about second chances - who was responsible for these, fate or Jim?
9. Did Jim learn true humility in the jobs after the court martial - working for Mr. Stein and the oppressed natives, being tortured, his fear during the siege, finding Paradise, trusting Duncan Brown, his death?
10. What did the film say about heroism? It is not what one does but why?
11. What kind of man was Mr. Stein and why did he help the natives? Was he right in advising Jim to trust others by telling the truth about the Patnia and to go away instead of facing death?
12. How did the other principal characters reflect and contrast with Jim -the General, hotel manager, Duncan Brown, Captain Brierly?
13. Why did Jim decide to die? What did he achieve?
14. Did the film combine action and philosophy in a convincing way? How?
15. Did the southeast Asian setting, atmosphere and culture contribute to the film? How?
