There will undoubtedly be comparisons between the new, Bazz Lurhmann-directed "The Great Gatsby" (2013) and the 1970's interpretation starring Mia Farrow and Robert Redford. From my perspective, Lurhmann probably viewed the 1974 version a few times before taking on his updated version: there are many similarities in the production design and settings of the two films. At many times, I almost thought that the same sets were used or copied from one film to the other.
The strongest part of this older version is Sam Waterston's Nick Carroway. His performance is restrained and subdued to the extent that we really get a sense of the superiority of his performance over that of Tobey Maguire's version. Robert Redford is adequate as well but the real hindrance of this film is Mia Farrow whose Daisy Buchanan is annoying and over-the-top.
Obviously comparing the 3-dimensional party scenes in Lurhmann's version is pointless in relation to a 1974 production but I felt that this version got it more historically accurate and true to the Fitzgerald novel. There isn't any of that crazy 21st century hip-hop music set to a 1920's setting and the effect is more realistic and tangible.
Karen Black is up to her old nutty routine as Myrtle Wilson and the movie adhere's to Fitzgerald's novel with poise and verisimilitude. The screenplay was by Francis Ford Coppola and he does a good job of bringing the novel's characters and plot to the screen. It truly was a busy year for Coppola: 1974 also saw him directing "The Godfather Part II" and "The Conversation". I recommend seeing both this version and the 2013 version. It can be interesting and fun to compare and contrast these two different productions of a classic American novel.
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