JOSEPH ANDREWS

UK, 1977, 104 minutes, Colour.
Ann Margret, Peter Firth, Michael Hordern, Beryl Reid, Jim Dale, Peter Bull, Kenneth Cranham, Karen Dotrice, James Villiers, Norman Rossington, Patsy Rowlands, Murray Melvin, Ronald Pickup, Penelope Wilton.
Directed by Tony Richardson.

Joseph Andrews is a screen version of the classic Henry Fielding novel. Fielding came onto the screen with great success in 1963 in Tony Richardson’s film version of Fielding’s Tom Jones. It set the mark for stylish 18th century costume romps. It showed the life of English aristocracy as well as the lower classes during that period – especially the more bawdy aspects. (Another British romp, with Nicky Henson, was made during the 1970s called The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones.)

Joseph Andrews is another attempt to cash in on the success of Tom Jones. Tony Richardson, who won an Oscar for his direction of Tom Jones, again directs here. However, Joseph Andrews is not the quality novel that Tom Jones was – and this shows in this film. While there is the parody and satire, there is not the incisive look at British society. This one might have been called The Bawdy Adventures of Joseph Andrews.

However, the set design and costumes are quite striking and there is a very strong cast especially with British character actors. Once again, as with writers of the 18th century, many of the names of the characters describe who they are: Ann-Margret? as Lady Booby, Beryl Reid as Mrs Slipslop, Murray Melvin as Beau Didapper.

The film is certainly entertaining in a more crude kind of way. It is, of course, a feast for the eyes. When one thinks of it, it probably is a not inaccurate picture of aspects of life in the 18th century.

1. The appeal of 18th century films? The re-creation of the period, its atmosphere, way of life end values? The light side, the serious side? English history, the English heritage?

2. The reputation of Henry Fielding? Joseph Andrews as a satire on Samuel Richardson? The prologue to Tom Jones? The picaresque stories of the 18th century hero? The satiric asides on human nature? Affection for human nature, the barbs at human behaviour? The contrast with the sentimentalising moralism of Samuel Richardson? Are these elements seen in the film? How?

3. The reputation of director Tony Richardson for Tom Jones? The success of the adaptation of Tom Jones to the screen in the sixties? The hero and heroine, the English way of life, the broad sweep of 18th century society in city and country, rich and poor, religious and non-religious? The visual presentation of Fielding's comment on human behaviour? How well did Tony Richardson imprint this style on Joseph Andrews? His use of the British ensemble cast and their working together, even in guest roles?

4. The structure of the film and its reliance on Fielding's picaresque structure? The adventures of the hero? Of the heroine? Dangers, dangers resolved? Introduction of a succession of supporting characters? Coincidence, mystery of identity?

5. The themes of innocents abroad with Joseph and Fanny? Their true innocence and naivety within the society in which they lived, people's designs on them and wanting to use them, their keeping their innocence despite all dangers and adventures? The dedication and innocence of true love?

6. The earthy style of the 18th century? The broad way of behaviour, love and lust, exploiting people? The earthy tone of the film and its presentation of sensuality, sexuality? Virtue and vice? Food, eating and drinking? Ordinary human behaviour? Human functions?

7. The portraits of individuals and of society? Destiny and people's aims and goals within this society? The happy ending for the good, the thwarting of the evil?

8. The focus on Joseph himself? The initial presentation at the Spring festivities, his love for Fanny, his service for Lady Booby? Lady Booby and her exploiting and manipulating him? Trying to seduce him? His work in service in the country? Coming to Bath, at Bath? His innocence and the instruction of Parson Adams? His being dismissed and Mrs Slipslop's attitude towards him? The beginning of his series of adventures and the way that this affected him? His being robbed, his clothes taken, his being befriended? His meeting with Parson Adams? With Betty and with Mr and Mrs Tow-wouse? The various arrests, Squire Weston? The chases? His hearing of the gypsy stories and their being visualised? The encounters with Fanny and the dangers? Black Bess and his rescuing her? His saving her from rape? His succumbing to her and Parson Adams reaction? The prospect of their being brother and sister? The happy ending and the future? The irony of his being Lady Booby’s son? How well delineated a character? The picture of a young boy moving through this 18th century world?

9. The contrast with Lady Booby? Her aristocratic status, her attitude towards her boorish husband? Her observing the maypole and the Spring festivities? Her lust and designs after Joseph? The situations in which she put herself, for example at Bath in the bath? Her vengeance and his dismissal? Her attack against Fanny? Her manipulating him into her presence at the end? Her devious work with her nephew? Her shock at the discovery of his relationship with Pamela and her nephew? The irony of Mr Wilson's arrival? The filling-in of the audience in information about Lady Booby and her acting career, her low rank, her pregnancy, her marriage? Her changing her designs at the end - that she would survive? A satiric portrait of a climbing woman of the 18th century?

10. The presentation of Parson Adams and his rural background, his family? His educational and religious values? His absent-mindedness? His genial attitude towards Joseph? Sharing his adventures and rescuing him? Their being about to be whipped at Squire Weston’s? Lady Booby’s nephew rescuing them? His reaction to the pedlar's tale? His love for Joseph and Fanny, his reaction to their making love, his wanting to marry them? His being made a figure of fun in wandering the manor house in his night shirt? How affectionate a portrait of an 18th century Anglican parson in the country?

11. Fanny as heroine? The parallel innocence with Tom, the devotion to him at the Spring festival? Her being dismissed, meeting him on the road, sharing rescues and dangers? The long presentation of the corrupt nobleman and Black Bess? The attempted rape and her rescue, her identity and the happy ending?

12. The humour in the presentation of Mrs Slipslop? Her amorous advances, her designs against Joseph, against Fanny? A satire on this kind of woman?

13. The character of the pedlar and his stories and involvement in them? The nature of the flashbacks? The gypsy and the stealing of the children as part of the atmosphere, of the time? The complications with identities? The portrait of the Wilsons and their marriage and loss of their child? The presentation of Mrs Andrews and her receiving the child and her explanation about the wars for her husband?

14. The presentation of life in Bath and the way of life at the baths, the aristocracy, the gay tops? The townspeople with Lady Tittle and Lady Tattle?

15. The way of life on the roads and the dangers with highwaymen and robbers?

16. The presentation of Mr Tow-wouse and his blacksmith work, Betty and her attempted rape? Mrs Tow-wouse and her crankinesss, greed? A savage picture of these individuals and their way?

17. Squire Weston and the background of Tom Jones? the humour and satire especially in his shooting the three men at once? The satire on the arrogant fool of the century?

18. Comment on the film's attention to detail of the presentation of characters, decor, costumes, location and the feel of the 18th century? The contrast in style with the 20th century? Similarities? A humorous and earthy treatment of values?