History Literature / TheHistoryOfTomJonesAFoundling

''The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling'', also known as simply ''Tom Jones'', is a classic {{picaresque}} novel by Henry Fielding, published in 1749, telling [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin the adventures of the title protagonist]], a deeply honorable HandsomeLech. It is full of social {{parody}} both subtle and ham-handed. It has been adapted as a film (1963), a TV series (1997), and in opera form.

The 1963 film, titled simply ''Tom Jones'', starred Creator/AlbertFinney as Tom. It won four [[UsefulNotes/AcademyAward Oscars]], including Best Picture, Best Director for Tony Richardson, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Creator/JohnOsborne. ''Three'' of the actresses in the film got Best Supporting Actress nominations, but none of them won. The movie was also named the 51st [[UsefulNotes/BFITop100BritishFilms best British film of all time]] by the Creator/BritishFilmInstitute.

----
!!Tropes particular to the 1963 film:

* AsideComment: The 1963 film was one of the earliest movies for a character to directly address the audience. It actually happens several times.
** Mrs. Waters turns to the camera and narrates a crucial plot development near the end.
** In one scene, Tom finds that all his money had been stolen while he slept, and he shouts at the chambermaid, demanding to know if it was her who robbed him. Unsatisfied with her answers, he turns to the camera and shouts "DID YOU SEE HER?! DID YOU?!"
* AsideGlance: Sophie gets in on the BreakingTheFourthWall action during her outings with Tom.
* AttemptedRape: Tom rescues Mrs. Waters from an attempted rape by the loathesome Northerton.
* BedsheetLadder: This is how Sophie escapes her father's house and the ArrangedMarriage with Blifil.
* BreakingTheFourthWall: Besides all the Aside Comments and Aside Glances, Tom puts his hat over the camera while he and Mrs. Waters are walking to town.
* EatingTheEyeCandy: All the women in the film can't get enough of the handsome Tom Jones--of course, Albert Finney really was that handsome.
* EroticEating: Used in the scene with Tom and Mrs. Waters and famously filmed in the 1960s version.
* FallingInLoveMontage: A charming one between Tom and Sophie, dancing about, riding on horseback, and kissing.
* TheGrandHunt: The local nobility go out on a massive deer-hunting expedition which comes off as gross and scary. See GrossUpCloseUp below.
* GrossUpCloseUp: A striking sequence in which the rich folk of this particular part of western England go out hunting a deer, in a large party on horseback, with a pack of hunting dogs. They come off like the Wehrmacht rampaging through Poland. The viewer is treated to closeups of a farmer's dead goose that the aristocrats trampled, closeups of spurs digging into horseflesh and gouging wounds, and a disturbing closeup to end the scene in which Squire Western displace the corpse of the deer, with its throat slit.
* HypocriticalHumor: Fitzpatrick is insanely jealous but is quite happy to jump into bed with Mrs. Waters while chaos ensues. This is very much PlayedForLaughs.
* IdiosyncraticWipe / IrisOut / {{Wipe}}: Irises, diagonal wipes, and regular horizontal wipes are all used for scene transitions.
* LemonyNarrator: Micheál Mac Liammóir's deadpan delivery in the film.
* MasqueradeBall: Tom meets the lusty Lady Bellaston at one.
* AMinorKidroduction: The first scene is baby Tom the foundling being discovered in the bed of Squire Allworthy.
* OnlyAFleshWound: In the movie: "Mr Jones, you've broken your arm!" "Indeed madame, but I have another to walk you home."
* SexyDiscretionShot: "It shall be our custom to leave such scenes where taste, decorum, and the censor dictate."
* SilenceIsGolden: The entire first scene is done in silent movie style, complete with title cards.
* {{Undercrank}}: Used in the scene where a jealous husband breaks in on Tom and Mrs. Waters, starting a madcap chase. (Tom turns to the camera and cries "Help!".)

The 1963 film, titled simply ''Tom Jones'', starred Creator/AlbertFinney as Tom. It won four [[UsefulNotes/AcademyAward Oscars]], including Best Picture, Best Director for Tony Richardson, and Best Adapted Screenplay for Creator/JohnOsborne. ''Three'' of the actresses in the film got Best Supporting Actress nominations, but none of them won.

The 1963 film, titled simply ''Tom Jones'', starred Creator/AlbertFinney as Tom. It won four [[UsefulNotes/AcademyAward Oscars]], including Best Picture, Best Director for Tony Richardson, and Best Adapted Screenplay. ''Three'' of the actresses in the film got Best Supporting Actress nominations, but none of them won.

* BoisterousBruiser: Squire Western is a classic example, and played by BrianBlessed no less in the 1990s series.

* AManIsNotAVirgin: Except Blifil. As another example of his hypocritical virtue.

''The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling'', also known as simply ''Tom Jones'', is a classic {{picaresque}} novel by Henry Fielding, telling [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin the adventures of the title protagonist]], a deeply honorable HandsomeLech. It is full of social {{parody}} both subtle and ham-handed. It has been adapted as a film (1963), a TV series (1997), and in opera form.

The 1963 film, titled simply ''Tom Jones'', starred Creator/AlbertFinney as Tom. It won four [[AcademyAward Oscars]], including Best Picture, Best Director for Tony Richardson, and Best Adapted Screenplay. ''Three'' of the actresses in the film got Best Supporting Actress nominations, but none of them won.

* AsideComment: The 1963 film was one of the earliest movies for a character to directly address the audience. It actually happens several times, but the scene at the inn is by far the most memorable.

* ChickMagnet / EatingTheEyeCandy: All the women in the film can't get enough of the handsome Tom Jones--of course, Albert Finney really was that handsome.

* AsideGlance: Sophie gets in on the BreakingTheFourthWall action during her outings with Tom.

Not to be confused with Music/TomJones the singer.

!! ''Tom Jones'' contains examples of:

* BreakingTheFourthWall: The 1963 film was one of the earliest movies for a character to directly address the audience. It actually happens several times, but the scene at the inn is by far the most memorable.

* EroticEating: Used in the scene with Tom and Mrs. Waters and famously filmed in the 1960s version.

* LemonyNarrator: Micheál Mac Liammóir's deadpan delivery in the film.

* OnlyAFleshWound: In the movie: "Mr Jones, you've broken your arm!" "Indeed madame, but I have another to walk you home."

''The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling'' is a classic {{picaresque}} novel by Henry Fielding, telling [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin the adventures of the title protagonist]], a deeply honorable HandsomeLech. It is full of social {{parody}} both subtle and ham-handed. It has been adapted as a film (1963), a TV series (1997), and in opera form.

''The Adventures of Tom Jones, A Foundling'' is a classic {{picaresque}} novel by Henry Fielding, telling [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin the adventures of the title protagonist]], a deeply honorable HandsomeLech. It is full of social {{parody}} both subtle and ham-handed. It has been adapted as a film (1963), a TV series (1997), and in opera form.

Not to be confused with [[Music/TomJones the singer]].