Directed by Tony Richardson, based on the Classic 1749 novel by Henry Fielding, Tom Jones (1963) won a total of 4 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The story concerns a bastard foundling in the 18th Century, raised by a kind Squire, who vows for the hand of a lovely maiden… but runs into obstacles due to the difference in their social stations. The comedy film is unique in it's approach, combing a Silent Film sequence and break the fourth wall, with the actors at times looking directly into the camera and addressing the viewer. The cast does a great job, including Alber Finney in the title role and Suzannah York as his love interest.
Directed by Renzo Martinelli, The Day of the Siege: September Eleven 1683 (2012) is based on the late 17th Century Battle of Vienna. In the summer of 1683, an army of 300,000 Ottoman Turks began the siege of Vienna against the Habsburg monarchy, with the ultimate goal of moving on to conquer Rome and convert St. Peter's Basilica into a mosque. The attack was thwarted by the forces of Polish King Jan III Sobieski. The special effects are not particularly well done, resembling video game graphics at times, but the costumes and set designs are successful. F. Murray Abraham leads the good cast comprised largely of unknowns.
Co-written and directed by David Lynch, in his second film, The Elephant Man (1980) tells the true story of Joseph Merrick (referred to as John in the script), a severely deformed man suffering from neurofibromatosis and/or Proteus syndrome, living and being exhibited as a human Freak curiosity in 19th Century Victorian London. Mel Brooks produced the film, but kept his name off the project so that audiences would not expect a comedy. The black and white cinematography is artful and the film perfectly captures the period detail of the Victorian era. Anthony Hopkins is excellent as Dr. Frederick Treves. John Hurt is superb, under heavy make-up and prosthetics, as John Merrick "The Elephant Man." The supporting cast is great as well, including John Gielgud, Anne Bancroft and Wendy Hiller. The film was a huge hit, nominated for several Academy Awards, and a novelization of the script followed.
Anthony Hopkins: The Elephant Man
: The Elephant Man
John Hurt: The Elephant Man
Anthony Hopkins: The Elephant Man
Anthony Hopkins: The Elephant Man
John Gielgud and Anthony Hopkins: The Elephant Man
