Written on the Wind
Seen it?1956 | 99 min | Drama, Romance
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (88% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it won an Oscar. 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 romantics. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 39 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1956: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Mitch Wayne is a geologist working for the Hadleys, an oil-rich Texas family. While the patriarch, Jasper, works hard to establish the family business, his irresponsible son, Kyle, is an alcoholic playboy, and his daughter, Marylee, is the town tramp. Mitch harbors a secret love for Kyle's unsatisfied wife, Lucy -- a fact that leaves him exposed when the jealous Marylee accuses him of murder.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 86 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress. Also nominated for 2 more Oscars and 1 Golden Globe.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$4 million worldwide on a $1 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 88K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Douglas Sirk
- Rock HudsonMitch Wayne
- Lauren BacallLucy Moore Hadley
- Robert StackKyle Hadley
- Dorothy MaloneMarylee Hadley
- Robert KeithJasper Hadley
- Grant WilliamsBiff Miley
- Robert J. WilkeDan Willis
- Edward PlattDr. Paul Cochrane
- Harry ShannonHoak Wayne
- John LarchRoy Carter