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Poster for The Pawnbroker

The Pawnbroker

Seen it?

1965 | 116 min | Drama

Saturday Specialearly rating

Why it’s a Saturday Special

It earned strong reviews (87% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it drew serious awards attention. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Harrowing.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 56 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1965: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

A Jewish pawnbroker, a victim of Nazi persecution, loses all faith in his fellow man until he realizes too late the tragedy of his actions.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    87% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.1 out of 10

  • AwardsStrong

    Won 1 BAFTA: British Academy Film Awards: Best Foreign Actor. Won 1 Berlin award: Berlin International Film Festival: Best Actor. Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America Awards: Best Written American Drama. Also nominated for 1 Oscar, 1 Golden Globe and 1 DGA Award. Plus 3 other awards.

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 65K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Sidney Lumet

  • Rod SteigerSol Nazerman
  • Geraldine FitzgeraldMarilyn Birchfield
  • Brock PetersRodriguez
  • Jaime SánchezJesus Ortiz
  • Thelma OliverOrtiz's Girl
  • Marketa KimbrellTessie
  • Juano HernándezMr. Smith
  • Linda GeiserRuth
  • Nancy R. PollockBertha
  • Raymond St. JacquesTangee