Joseph Andrews ** (1977, Ann-Margret, Peter Firth, Michael Hordern, Beryl Reid, Jim Dale, Peter Bull, John Gielgud, Hugh Griffith) – Classic Movie Review 8331

Director Tony Richardson re-enters Tom Jones country (the scene of his 1963 movie triumph) for this romping and rollicking farcical tale of a lusty servant Joseph Andrews (Peter Firth) in the 18th century. Ann-Margret stars as Lady Booby alias ‘Belle’,with Michael Hordern as Parson Adams, Beryl Reid as Mrs Slipslop, Jim Dale as the pedlar, Natalie Ogle as Fanny Goodwill and Peter Bull as Sir Thomas Booby.

Ann-Margret was nominated for a Golden Globe as Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Motion Picture, even though she is starring. Michael Annals and Patrick Wheatley were nominated for a BAFTA Film Award for Best Costume Design, so it is a well-dressed movie.

A tremendous cast of Seventies British luminaries going through their familiar paces and David Watkin’s glowing photography on splendid locations cannot disguise the lack of new ideas and the dead weight of a lacklustre script.

Very pleasant and appealing though Peter Firth is here, he cannot quite propel himself into the class of the young Albert Finney in Tom Jones. Joseph Andrews is kind of mildly entertaining, but alas it all seems like second-hand goods, and the special Tom Jones magic doesn’t conjure up twice.

The screenplay by Allan Scott and Chris Bryant and screen story by Tony Richardson are based on the novel of the similar name, The History and Adventures of Joseph Andrews, by Henry Fielding.

Also in the cast are John Gielgud, Hugh Griffith, Timothy West, Wendy Craig, Peggy Ashcroft, James Villiers, Karen Dotrice, Ronald Pickup, Penelope Wilton, Bernard Bresslaw, Jenny Runacre, Kenneth Cranham, Murray Melvin, Sandra Dorne, Tim Piggot-Smith, Maggie Wright, Timothy Bateson and Carol Drinkwater.

 © Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8331

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