The Great Gatsby Film Versions

The Great Gatsby is a well known and popular book. It would only make sense for there to be multiple films of this book. One of the more popular film versions is the 1974 one. This film recieved two Oscars and five other wins. However there are problems with this version of the film. IMDb.com explains some major problems with this film and how it doesn't do the book justnce. "Farrow's shortcomings as Daisy are hugely overshadowed, however, by the character of Tom Buchanan, who is changed from a `hulking brute of a man' in the novel to a tall and skinny guy who only has the slow intellect and harsh jealousy toward Gatsby from his character in the novel. Bruce Dern is hugely miscast in this role, but does a decent job going through the motions of his character, at least the verbal ones that he's given. Sam Waterson probably gives the best performance in the film as Nick Carraway, although there is something of an awkward feel with his character if only because he is the narrator in the film, telling the story through his own eyes, while in the film he is an external character and the vast majority of his internal thoughts are necessarily erased."

Earlier in 1926, a silent version of this book was made. This film is no longer printed and is known as the "lost version". IMDb.com also says, "Although a lost film, the trailer survived and is one of the 50 films in the 3-disk boxed DVD set called "More Treasures from American Film Archives."

There was another verion in 1949. This version is said to be extremely accurate and well cast. "The 1949 version, in monochrome, captures much of the atmosphere of the 'jazz age' which strangely does not come over in the lavish period detail of the later version. The gallery of supporting players contributes significantly to the success of the film. There are a few minor faults, such as the montage shots in the opening sequences which border on cliché. Nick Carraway is less prominent than the author might have intended. But the essence of the novel is there." (IMDb.com)