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The Great Gatsby

Play trailer The Great Gatsby 1949 1h 32m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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30% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 40% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Nick Carraway (Macdonald Carey) resides among Long Island's elite during the 1920s. His enigmatic neighbor, Jay Gatsby (Alan Ladd), invites him to a party at his mansion, where they become acquainted. Nick slowly gets caught up in Gatsby's obsession with his lost love, the beautiful Daisy Buchanan (Betty Field), who is now married to Tom Buchanan (Barry Sullivan). Nick foresees inevitable tragedy as Gatsby undertakes bolder and bolder advances toward Daisy.

Critics Reviews

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Bob Thomas Associated Press 07/25/2019
The F. Scott Fitzgerald characters never come entirely to life. Alan Ladd tries hard as the fated young opportunist. Go to Full Review TIME Magazine 05/08/2013
Unfortunately, the movie version misses many of its opportunities. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety 03/26/2009
Elliott Nugent's direction skips along the surface of the era depicted. The script doesn't give him much substance to work with. Go to Full Review Frank J. Avella The Contending Aug 19
C-
Yes, the lack of fidelity to the source material is beyond frustrating. Leave it to Hollywood to think they can improve on a classic. Alas, the book was not yet considered such. It was certainly not yet ranked as one of the greatest American novels. Go to Full Review Fr. Chris Carpenter Movie Dearest 05/03/2014
B
An interesting, film noir-ish take on the novel. The screenplay takes some liberties with the source material but (Alan) Ladd gives an exceptionally sensitive performance as the lovelorn millionaire. Excellent supporting cast. Go to Full Review David Parkinson Radio Times 05/08/2013
2/5
Elliott Nugent directs with some atmospheric touches, but can't counter screenwriter Richard Maibaum's verbosity. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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03/22/2016 Ladd is a excellent choice for Gatsby and Shelley Winters perfect for Myrtle but the film is hampered by miscasting in most every other role. The flat look of the film betrays the luxury settings inherent in the book. Not bad but surely not a definitive version. See more 07/17/2015 This adaptation is very dark and gripping - more so than any other version I've seen thus far. Ladd is the best Gatsby to date and if you are not too particular about a faithful book adaptations, this movie will keep you entertained. The only reasons I wouldn't give it 5 stars is a super low production value and the fact that it seems to be set in late 30's/early 40's rather than in the roaring 20's (based on the costumes, interiors, cars - etc). That makes it confusing with the story line. :) Unlike Redford's wooden performance and DiCaprio's gross overacting, this Gatsby is much more vulnerable, subtle and I dare you not to root for him. I double dare you...:) See more 06/03/2014 Static version of the novel, with Betty Field miscast as Daisy Buchanan. See more 09/22/2013 Seems rather lacking in ambition, skimming lightly through most of the story. Occasional particularly effective scenes stand out; Gatsby displaying his stuff (which brought me to realize that James Franco's character, Alien, in SPRING BREAKERS is modeled on Gatsby), and Gatsby's demise among them. See more 06/23/2012 Far superior to the Robert Redford 70's version. Hopefully the 2012 remake will hold up to this one. Saw this in May at the Palm Springs Film Noir Festival in a packed house. Alan Ladd does a more gangster and gentleman take on the role, while still being subtle. He is our unsung hero throughout the film. His death scene is memorable and haunting even by today's standards. The set pieces are stunning and the cars are phenomenal. See more 07/08/2010 good version of this but I still like Redford 1974 version best Ladd is a little too old to play the part. See more Read all reviews
The Great Gatsby

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Cast & Crew

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Elliott Nugent

Director

Alan Ladd

Jay Gatsby

Betty Field

Daisy Buchanan

Macdonald Carey

Nicholas 'Nick' Carraway

Ruth Hussey

Jordan Baker

Barry Sullivan

Tom Buchanaan

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The Great Gatsby

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Movie Info

Synopsis Nick Carraway (Macdonald Carey) resides among Long Island's elite during the 1920s. His enigmatic neighbor, Jay Gatsby (Alan Ladd), invites him to a party at his mansion, where they become acquainted. Nick slowly gets caught up in Gatsby's obsession with his lost love, the beautiful Daisy Buchanan (Betty Field), who is now married to Tom Buchanan (Barry Sullivan). Nick foresees inevitable tragedy as Gatsby undertakes bolder and bolder advances toward Daisy.
Director
Elliott Nugent
Producer
Richard Maibaum
Screenwriter
Cyril Hume, Richard Maibaum
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 13, 1949, Original
Runtime
1h 32m