The Grapes of Wrath
Seen it?1940 | 129 min | Drama
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won 2 Oscars, audiences rate it highly (7.8 out of 10) and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.
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. If you loved Nomadland, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 9 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1940: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Tom Joad returns to his home after a jail sentence to find his family kicked out of their farm due to foreclosure. He catches up with them on his Uncle’s farm, and joins them the next day as they head for California and a new life... Hopefully.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 96 on Metacritic
- AudiencesStrong
7.8 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 2 Oscars: Academy Awards: Best Director, Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress. Also nominated for 5 more Oscars. Plus 6 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$2 million worldwide on a $800K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 163K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by John Ford
- Henry FondaTom Joad
- Jane DarwellMa Joad
- John CarradineCasy
- Charley GrapewinGrandpa Joad
- Dorris BowdonRosasharn
- Russell SimpsonPa Joad
- O.Z. WhiteheadAl Joad
- John QualenMuley Graves
- Eddie QuillanConnie Rivers
- Zeffie TilburyGrandma Joad