Although Lord Jim was filmed in Cambodia and Hong Kong, the first scene starts with a few sailors atop a ship brandishing swords, and one instantly has the feel of a Hollywood set. Academy Award®-winner Peter O'Toole (Lawrence of Arabia), however, soon has viewers buying into his character and becoming involved with a story about betrayal and redemption.

Lord Jim (1965), adapted from Joseph Conrad's adventurous novel, allows O'Toole to delve into a treasure-trove character arc as a Merchant Marine officer on a steamship full of Muslims. When the ship runs aground and then encounters a severe storm, the other crew members take the only lifeboats. Jim previously promised one of the travelers he would never desert them, yet when the other sailors taunt him to jump into the lifeboat and save himself, he does so, thus abandoning the ship.

The men assume the ship sinks, but once in port discover it was towed in. Brought in on charges, Jim suffers more with his own guilt. He travels from port to port taking on a host of menial jobs, but cannot get over his cowardly act. When he lands in Southeast Asia and agrees to deliver a shipment of dynamite to a tribe of natives, his world begins to change.

Guided by Gentleman Brown (James Mason), a father figure, Jim is soon embroiled in the natives' fight against a feudal warlord (Eli Wallach). Naturally, there has to be a woman, and in this case it’s an island girl (Daliah Lavi) who is not overly demonstrative in either emotions or her feelings about Jim. However, she does follow him in his fight for justice and his road to a bitter redemption.

Despite fine direction by Richard Brooks, Lord Jim is not a great film, but it offers an interesting look at island culture and another opportunity to experience the fine acting talent of O’Toole.

The DVD special features include digitally mastered audio and anamorphic video remastered in high definition, widescreen presentation, bonus trailers and scene selections.

(Released by Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment; not rated by MPAA.)

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