Three Different Film Versions

Since the publication of The Great Gatsby three different films have been made to recreate the story. Each film added or changed scenes to how the director believed the author, Fitzgerald, would have intended it be made. Each version depicts differently the climax of the story that is within in the hotel and events leading up to it.

In the 1974 version, the addition of a scene depicts Myrtle locked in the house beside the gas station breaking a window and yelling for Tom. This scene adds to the idea that Myrtle is locked within a poor social class and is desperate to escape. Another scene added was when Tom chased Daisy out of the Hotel and they made their way through a party. It has no real importance.

The following movie produced was the remake #1 in 2000. Only one scene was added and that was outside the hotel after the altercation was closed. It aided in revealing that Daisy became closed and fell within herself the more Gatsby begged her to leave Tom. There was a removal or trim of minor scenes including the talk between Pammy and Jordan, the discussion over whiskey, and where Tom offers Gatsby’s car to George. However this helped stress more important scenes on what the director intended.

The latest version in 2013 was the most exhilarating due to the editing of the film. At moments like the drive to city, the characters are seen sped up and racing, implying that the rich were reckless and carless of the lower classes. Within the hotel, different camera angles plus slow motion help create suspense and emphasis on characterization. Furthermore, the use of narration during the slowed scenes helps clarify how this version would resemble Fitzgerald’s story the best.