THE GREAT GATSBY (1974)

Robert Redford essays the title role of F. Scott Fitzgerald's golden boy of '20s society in this lavishly photographed film adaptation of the classic novel. Despite his humble beginnings, Jay Gatsby amasses great wealth through some shady business dealings, wealth he uses as part of his attempts to win back his one true love, Daisy (Mia Farrow). Bruce Dern, Karen Black, Sam Waterston, and Patsy Kensit (her film debut) co-star; scripted by Francis Ford Coppola. 144 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English. Region Free

The '20s never roared louder than in this sumptuously romantic retelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Jazz Age classic. Robert Redford stars as Jay Gatsby, who had once loved beautiful, spoiled Daisy Buchanan (Mia Farrow), then lost her to a rich boy. But now Gatsby is mysteriously wealthy... and ready to risk everything to woo Daisy back. A winner of two Academy Awards, The Great Gatsby features a fine supporting cast and an elegant script by Francis Ford Coppola. And at its centre is the opulent evocation of an era of hot jazz and cold champagne, of women as exotic and demanding as hothouse flowers, and of lives made soft by too much, too soon.