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The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
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The adaptation of Nobel Prize-winner John Steinbeck's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of dirt-poor Dust Bowl migrants by 4-time Oscar-winning director John Ford starred Henry Fonda as Tom Joad, who opens the movie returning to his Oklahoma home after serving jail time for manslaughter. En route, Tom meets family friend Casey (John Carradine), a former preacher who warns Tom that dust storms, crop failures, and new agricultural methods have financially decimated the once prosperous Oklahoma farmland. Upon returning to his family farm, Tom is greeted by his mother (Oscar-winner Jane Darwell), who tells him that the family is packing up for the "promised land" of California. Warned that they shouldn't expect a warm welcome in California--they've already seen the caravan of dispirited farmers, heading back home after striking out at finding work--the Joads push on all the same. Their first stop is a wretched migrant camp, full of starving children and surrounded by armed guards. Further down the road, the Joads drive into an idyllic government camp, with clean lodging, indoor plumbing, and a self-governing clientele. When Tom ultimately bids goodbye to his mother, who asks him where he'll go, he delivers the film's most famous speech: "I'll be all around...Wherever there's a fight so hungry people can eat...Whenever there's a cop beating a guy, I'll be there...And when the people are eatin' the stuff they raise and livin' in the houses they build. I'll be there too." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, (more)
Director(s):
John Ford
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of The Grapes of Wrath

The adaptation of Nobel Prize-winner John Steinbeck's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of dirt-poor Dust Bowl migrants by 4-time Oscar-winning director John Ford starred Henry Fonda as Tom Joad, who opens the movie returning to his Oklahoma home after serving jail time for manslaughter. En route, Tom meets family friend Casey (John Carradine), a former preacher who warns Tom that dust storms, crop failures, and new agricultural methods have financially decimated the once prosperous Oklahoma farmland. Upon returning to his family farm, Tom is greeted by his mother (Oscar-winner Jane Darwell), who tells him that the family is packing up for the "promised land" of California. Warned that they shouldn't expect a warm welcome in California--they've already seen the caravan of dispirited farmers, heading back home after striking out at finding work--the Joads push on all the same. Their first stop is a wretched migrant camp, full of starving children and surrounded by armed guards. Further down the road, the Joads drive into an idyllic government camp, with clean lodging, indoor plumbing, and a self-governing clientele. When Tom ultimately bids goodbye to his mother, who asks him where he'll go, he delivers the film's most famous speech: "I'll be all around...Wherever there's a fight so hungry people can eat...Whenever there's a cop beating a guy, I'll be there...And when the people are eatin' the stuff they raise and livin' in the houses they build. I'll be there too." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
129 mins

Complete Cast of The Grapes of Wrath


Director(s):
John Ford
Writer(s):
Nunnally Johnson
Producer(s):
Darryl F. Zanuck
The Grapes of Wrath Awards:
  • 1998 - American Film Institute - 100 Greatest American Movies
  • 1988 - Library of Congress - U.S. National Film Registry
  • 1940 - National Board of Review - Best Acting
  • 1940 - National Board of Review - Best Picture
  • 1940 - National Board of Review - Best Acting
  • 1940 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Picture
  • 1940 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Director
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    SANDHYA P.

    This movie talks about the hard times of the Depression and what people did to save their dignity during those times.I found it very moving, all the performances were very restrained and very refined. I found it a very good movie to watch.

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    Lisa B.

    This movie was very well done, but difficult to watch. There was so much agony this family had to endure and to top it all off, it even ended that way. There was no silver lining, no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, so it left you feeling quite sad, but at the same time, quite appreciative of what we have today. Life is so much better than it was during the Depression era. Count your blessings!

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    John S.

    This is a fine movie about a difficult period in American history. The background commentary on the process of writing the book and producing the film added a great deal to the movie itself.

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