Adaptations

The Great Gatsby has multiple adaptations, the first being in a silent film made in 1926, directed by Herbert Brenon. Save for the trailer, the film is considered be lost media, and is most notable for earning F.Scott Fitzgerald’s hatred. The second was made in 1949, directed by Elliot Nugent and starred Alan Ladd as Gatsby. The third adaptation, which is the second most known, was made in 1974, directed by Jack Clayton. Like its 2013 successor, it was a big production with an all star cast such as the legendary Robert Redford (Gatsby), Sam Waterson (Nick), and Mia Farrow (Daisy). Unlike its 2013 successor, its known to be the one adaptation which was the most faithful to the text. The fourth was a TV movie made in 2000, directed by Robert Markowitz and had Paul Rudd, Mira Sorvino, and Toby Stephens playing Nick, Daisy, and Gatsby respectively. The fifth adaptation made in 2002 is the most unique of the bunch: titled G, it was directed by Christopher Scott Cherot, featured an all-black cast, and was centered around the rap/hip-hop music industry. Finally, there is the 2013 adaptation directed by Baz Luhrmann of Moulin Rouge fame, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby, Toby Maguire as Nick, and Carey Mulligan as Daisy. Ironically, while it is the most accurate in depicting the 1920s setting and was the adaptation to boost the novel past its “book people learn in high school” status, it is not faithful to the story. While vastly different, each act as a valuable time capsule of their respective eras.

To view the extent of the adaptations in action, check out the videos linked below: