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The Story of Ruth

Name: The Story of Ruth
Genre: Drama, History
Released: 1960-06-17
Cast: Elana Eden, Stuart Whitman, Tom Tryon, Peggy Wood, Viveca Lindfors

1960 | 132 min | Drama, History

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With soft box office and little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

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

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for history buffs. If you loved The Ten Commandments, start here.
The mood: Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 12 min.
What might put you off: Made in 1960: an older pace and style.

Ruth is one of two Moabite women who marry the sons of Elimelech and Naomi. When Elimelech and sons Mahlon and Chillion die, leaving Naomi a widow with two widowed daughters-in-law, Naomi decides to return to Israel. One daughter-in-law, Orpah, bids her goodbye. Daughter-in-law Ruth however says she will not desert her.

How it earned its rating

CriticsSolid
Generally positive reviews
AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
Box office & staying powerBelow par
$3 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 21K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Henry Koster

Elana EdenRuth
Stuart WhitmanBoaz
Tom TryonMahlon
Peggy WoodNaomi
Viveca LindforsEleilat
Jeff MorrowTob
Thayer DavidHedak
Les TremayneElimelech
Eduard FranzJehoam
Leo FuchsSochin