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Poster for The Magnificent Ambersons

The Magnificent Ambersons

Seen it?

1942 | 88 min | Drama, Romance

Friday Night Flick

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (89% on Rotten Tomatoes), it drew serious awards attention 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 romantics. If you loved Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans or Wuthering Heights, start here. 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 28 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1942: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

The spoiled young heir to the decaying Amberson fortune comes between his widowed mother and the man she has always loved.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 93 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.3 out of 10

  • AwardsStrong

    Nominated for 4 Oscars.

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a modest audience; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 125K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Orson Welles

  • Joseph CottenEugene Morgan
  • Dolores CostelloIsabel Amberson Minafer
  • Anne BaxterLucy Morgan
  • Tim HoltGeorge Minafer
  • Agnes MooreheadFanny Minafer
  • Ray CollinsJack Amberson
  • Erskine SanfordRoger Bronson
  • Richard BennettMajor Amberson
  • Orson WellesNarrator (voice)
  • Edwin AugustCitizen (uncredited)