The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby (1974): Glitz, Gravitas, and Ghosts of the Jazz Age

Released in March 1974, The Great Gatsby is a cinematic adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel, directed by Jack Clayton with a screenplay by Francis Ford Coppola. The film stars Robert Redford as the mysterious and idealistic Jay Gatsby, Mia Farrow as the ethereal Daisy Buchanan, Sam Waterston as the observant narrator Nick Carraway, and Bruce Dern as the volatile Tom Buchanan. Set in the opulent world of 1920s Long Island, the film explores themes of wealth, illusion, love, and the decaying American Dream.

Visually, the 1974 adaptation is a masterclass in period accuracy and aesthetic detail. From the Gatsby mansion’s glittering parties to the somber, dusty landscape of the Valley of Ashes, the production immerses viewers in the Jazz Age’s contrasting elegance and emptiness. The film won two Academy Awards—Best Costume Design and Best Original Score—testament to its impressive design and atmospheric achievement. The lush cinematography by Douglas Slocombe and the stunning costumes designed by Theoni V. Aldredge helped recreate the romantic excess and decadence that Fitzgerald famously described in the novel.

However, despite its strong visual elements, the film received mixed reviews upon release. Critics praised the film's commitment to the look and feel of the 1920s but were less impressed with its emotional execution. Many found the adaptation overly literal, with dialogue lifted directly from Fitzgerald’s text that felt stilted or unnatural when spoken aloud. Roger Ebert and other major critics of the time noted that while the film preserved the novel’s structure and events, it failed to fully capture its emotional depth and thematic power.

Robert Redford brings his trademark charisma to the role of Gatsby, portraying him as refined, ambitious, and emotionally wounded. Still, some critics argued that his performance lacked the desperate vulnerability that underpins Gatsby’s tragic pursuit of the American Dream. Mia Farrow’s portrayal of Daisy Buchanan was similarly polarizing. Though she conveyed a delicate fragility and elegance, some felt her performance lacked the magnetic charm and moral ambiguity that define Daisy in the novel. On the other hand, Bruce Dern’s portrayal of Tom Buchanan was widely praised for its intensity and entitled menace.

The film’s pacing and narrative structure were also points of criticism. At over two hours, the story occasionally felt sluggish, with some scenes dragging despite their visual beauty. Additionally, the use of voice-over narration, echoing Nick’s inner monologue from the novel, sometimes created emotional distance rather than connection.

Despite its shortcomings, The Great Gatsby (1974) has earned a place in the history of literary adaptations for its visual ambition and its attempt to faithfully honor Fitzgerald’s prose. While later adaptations would try different approaches—such as the bold, stylized version by Baz Luhrmann in 2013—Clayton’s film remains an evocative, if imperfect, portrayal of the illusions and tragedies that define Gatsby’s world. For those drawn to classic cinema and literary heritage, the 1974 version offers a glimpse into the beauty and hollowness of the American Dream.