You Won’t Believe Which Gatsby Movie Still Holds Up 100 Years Later

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Heed this note: This discussion delves into spoilers for The Great Gatsby movies from 1949, 1974, and 2013. First published a century ago, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel The Great Gatsby has left an indelible mark on pop culture, serving as required reading for countless American students. Over the years, several notable film adaptations have emerged; however, one adaptation was completely lost to time. The second film version was produced in the late ’40s. Robert Redford took on the lead role in a 1970s adaptation, while a stylish remake featuring Leonardo DiCaprio hit theaters in the 2010s – each interpretation unique in its own right.

One iconic piece of literature from the Jazz Era, “Gatsby” films, are consistently set in the 1920s. Despite its expansive narrative, it remains relevant across decades, though some details may not hold up as well over time. The screenwriters tend to stay close to the original story, which will soon become evident. Now, do any of these adaptations warrant a full century’s worth of anticipation? Let’s see.

In this version, I’ve attempted to make the text more conversational and easier to read while preserving the essential meaning.

For Each Generation, a Fitting Gatsby

In a surprising contrast, the plotline for this legendary figure is remarkably straightforward: Jay Gatsby, despite his wealth, cannot acquire the woman he adores. He’s a clever war veteran who ultimately self-destructs in pursuit of a shallow socialite. His resources allow him to flout every rule, but his downfall comes when he transgresses the sacred institution of marriage. Dressed impeccably yet simple at heart, Gatsby makes an ideal cinematic character. Unfortunately, the 1926 film adaptation is largely forgotten, as all reels were lost – a common occurrence in that era. It seems that even Fitzgerald’s wife wasn’t impressed with the silent movie, calling it “rotten and awful and terrible.” Quite a tough audience to please.

The 1949 film version featuring Alan Ladd is seldom remembered today, but due to studio interference, the script evolved into more of a moral lecture. Later in the ’70s, Paramount reintroduced the property with Robert Redford, Mia Farrow, and Sam Waterston attached. Baz Luhrmann remade it in 2013, utilizing green-screen technology to portray the flapper-era New York City. However, the overuse of special effects to recreate this era gives off an uncomfortable feeling reminiscent of a Star Wars prequel. Your opinion may differ.

“They Didn’t Seem To Know What the Story Was About”

It’s clear that much of the book and its movie adaptations seem outdated in their humor. New York City in 2025 feels antiquated, a shadow of its once enigmatic, art-deco glory. Similarly, the idea of Gatsby trying to conceal his humble origins and mingle with the high society “old money” group appears outdated today, as anyone born into wealth or privilege is often seen as a product of nepotism rather than achievement.

A contemporary version of Gatsby wouldn’t be a champagne-drinking smuggler, but rather a tech entrepreneur on Adderall living in Austin, promoting cryptocurrency and organizing electronic dance music raves. This is the reason no director has ever thought to adapt it outside the 1920s; it would seem and sound garish. The story remains effective because Gatsby is both sophisticated yet innocent, a hopeless romantic willing to spend a fortune in hopes of winning over a shallow debutante who had broken his heart. Teenagers watching the 1974 film in today’s era might dismiss him as a “nice guy.

As a fervent admirer, I find myself drawn to Gatsby, the seemingly virtuous figure, yet left disheartened by his rejection, a sentiment echoed by the harsh reality that “wealthy women don’t wed penniless men.” Admittedly, if one were to label Gatsby as a hero, it might be a stretch for more traditional audiences of 1925. After all, he is, in essence, a homewrecker.

Interestingly, the screenwriter Richard Maibaum, in 1949, was compelled to introduce a last-minute redemption arc for Gatsby to ensure that the film didn’t inadvertently promote adultery or criminality.

Although the revised version may have been less than perfect, in an interview with Patrick McGilligan, he stood firm that their adaptation was more accurate than the other two, particularly the 1974 film featuring Robert Redford. In contrast, DiCaprio portrays Gatsby as both intensely anxious and subtly unstable, while Redford’s portrayal in the 1974 movie is that of a benevolent savior, sticking to his usual typecasting. There are various interpretations of Gatsby on screen; choose the one that appeals to you most.

Not Quite a Romance for the Ages

To those unfamiliar with the story, they might find it puzzling that Gatsby’s humble beginnings are so central to the plot. However, understanding Daisy as a symbol of Gatsby achieving the American Dream is crucial, even if her character seems outdated. In the 1974 adaptation featuring Mia Farrow, Daisy appears shallow and insignificant. The scene where Gatsby elicits tears from Daisy while displaying his shirts could be compared to a scene from Tommy Wiseau’s “The Room.” This is an amusing contrast given the novel draws inspiration from philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer.

In simpler terms, “The Great Gatsby” is set in a time so different from ours that it feels more like a depiction of an extinct era, characterized by excessive drinking, racial prejudice, and polo craze. If the story unfolded today with the high rate of infidelity and relatively easy divorces, Daisy might have left her husband due to boredom halfway through. Unfortunately, the character of Jay Gatsby was born in a time that doesn’t fully understand his story. So, we should consider “The Gatsby saga” as a historical piece like a Shakespeare play, because if we encountered these characters today, we would likely find their drama overly melodramatic.

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2025-04-20 21:08