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Poster for A Separate Peace

A Separate Peace

Seen it?

1972 | 104 min | Drama

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
Aimed squarely at book lovers and anyone who likes a story with emotional weight. Adapted from a book, so readers can compare notes.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Gives its people room to develop, at 1 hr 44 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • Made in 1972: an older pace and style.
  • Skip it if you need something light and fast tonight.

Gene and Finny are two boys who are best friends living in 1943, at the height of World War II. The idea that the boys will most likely be drafted when they turn eighteen is surrounding them, and they are practically forced to live their lives to the fullest. The two boys attend the Devon School, which prepares them for military life that they will most likely be subjected to. The film begins with a narration by an older Gene, traveling back to Devon some years later. The thing he wishes most to see is the tree, which had a great effect on the boys' lives

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsSolid

    60% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $1 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 13K people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by Larry Peerce

  • John HeylFinny
  • Parker StevensonGene Forrester
  • William RoerickMr. Patchwithers
  • Peter BrushElwin “Leper” Lepellier
  • Victor BevineBrinker Hadley
  • John E.A. MackenzieBobby Zane
  • Mark TrefethenJohn
  • Frank Wilich Jr.Cliff Quackenbush
  • Elizabeth B. BrewsterMrs. Patchwithers
  • Edward EcholsMr. Ludsbury