Do you want to see ‘Arthur’?

Arthur (1977)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 7.2/10
Reviews Counted: 30
Fresh: 27 | Rotten: 3

No consensus yet.

Average Rating: 6.7/10
Critic Reviews: 5
Fresh: 4 | Rotten: 1

No consensus yet.

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Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 31,666

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Movie Info

The ads for Arthur suggested that this was an obnoxious film about an obnoxious man, an eternally drunken millionaire indulging his every whim. Instead, Arthur (Dudley Moore) is a sweet, somewhat pathetic character whose millions have left him lonely and with no motivation in life. When the film opens, Arthur is on the threshold of an arranged marriage with simpering socialite Susan (Jill Eikenberry), whom he does not love. Everyone expects Arthur to behave himself, but nobody truly cares for

PG, 1 hr. 39 min.

Comedy, Romance

Directed By: Steve Gordon

Written By: Steve Gordon

In Theaters: Jul 17, 1981 Wide

On DVD: Aug 27, 1997

Orion Pictures Corporation

Arthur Trailer & Photos

Cast

Dudley Moore
Arthur Bach
Liza Minnelli
Linda Marolla
John Gielgud
Mr. Hobson
Geraldine Fitzgerald
Martha Bach
Jill Eikenberry
Susan Johnson
Stephen Elliott
Burt Johnson
Ted Ross
Bitterman
Barney Martin
Ralph Marolla
Thomas Barbour
Stanford Bach
Anne De Salvo
Gloria
Marjorie Barnes
Hooker
B. Constance Barry
Wedding Guest
John Bentley
Perry
Jonathan Coleman
Maurice Copeland
Uncle Peter
Dillon Evans
Oak Room Maitre D'
Peter Evans
Preston
Paul Gleason
Executive
Richard Hamilton
Bill
Helen Hanft
Perry's Wife
Lou Jacobi
Plant Store Owner
Bobo Lewis
Lady in Coffee Shop
Marcella Lowery
Harriet
Bob Maroff
Prize Man
Irving Metzman
Security Guard
Ron Moody
Ray Serra
Racetrack Owner
Phyllis Somerville
Saleslady
Lawrence Tierney
Man in Coffee Shop
Edgard Mourino
Stuntman
Paul Vincent
Oak Room Waiter
Jerome Collamore
Johnson Butler
Gordon Press
Prize Man
Jeremy Ritzer
Juliet Taylor
Howard Feuer
Florence Tarlow
Mrs. Nesbitt
Mary Alan Hokanson
Secretary
Justine Johnston
Aunt Pearl

Critic Reviews for Arthur

All Critics (30) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (29) | Rotten (4) | DVD (6)

Arthur is a sparkling entertainment which attempts, with a large measure of success, to resurrect the amusingly artificial conventions of 1930s screwball romantic comedies.

March 26, 2009 Full Review Source: Variety

| Comment

Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

Moviegoers are hereby alerted to some good fun.

August 22, 2008 Full Review Source: TIME Magazine

| Comment

Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

Top Critic

So little care has gone into the characterizations, the structure, and the situations that the film merely feints at significant comedy.

April 1, 2008 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment

Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

Only someone with a heart of stone could fail to love a drunk like Arthur Bach.

October 23, 2004 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

Mr. Gordon's screenplay is full of funny things, and it's beautifully paced, but it's the performances that give the picture its true classiness.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Vincent Canby

New York Times

Top Critic

...suffers from a hit-and-miss quality that wreaks havoc on its momentum...

April 9, 2011 Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews

| Comment

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

There are several strong laughs in the film, and, yes, Gielgud is fine in his role. (Blu-ray Edition)

March 25, 2011 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis

| Comment

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

Arthur has endeared himself to millions of viewers over the years.

March 25, 2011 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis

| Comment

John J. Puccio

Movie Metropolis

Sweet-spirited comedy -- with too many spirits.

May 4, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

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Charles Cassady

Common Sense Media

Moore is predictable as the spoiled scion of wealth, Minnelli is terrific as his candid sweetheart, but Gielgud's loyal yet sarcastic servant steals the film.

April 1, 2008 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

| Comment

TV Guide's Movie Guide

Watch and enjoy, but avoid the completely disastrous sequel.

April 1, 2008 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine

| Comment

Empire Magazine

No. 1 on my list of favorite comedies. One of the funniest ever made.

August 4, 2007 Comment

Chuck O'Leary

FulvueDrive-in.com

Overrated one-joke comedy.

February 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment (1)

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

A modern screwball comedy, in the vein of My Man Godfrey and other Depression era gems, Arthur was written and directed by Steve Gordon, who received an Oscar nomination for Original Screenplay.

June 28, 2005 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

| Comment

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

Moore is a great, funny drunk...even though it is all so politically incorrect now.

October 15, 2004 Comment

Steve Crum

Kansas City Kansan Source: Kansas City Kansan

One will delightfully get drunk between the moon and New York City by drinking up the spry essence in Gordon's romantic comedy Arthur

June 26, 2004 Comment

Frank Ochieng

Movie Eye

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Arthur

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Although this has been considered by many an '80s classic, I'd like to think otherwise. Parts of this film were cute, comical, and there was one scene in particular during which I couldn't stop laughing; but this is no NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION. Full Review: http://wp.me/p1Urcx-vN

November 30, 2011

Alexander Diminiano

Super Reviewer

I saw the 2011 Athur first, and it sucked. This older version is a comedy classic. The story is about Arthur (Dudley Moore), a drunken millionare who gets money from his father. When his father gives him an ultimatium, marry a woman he hates or not marry her and he is cut off from the money, he must choose if he

June 20, 2011

Brad Wright

Super Reviewer

Arthur Quotes

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1. Arthur Bach: You, uh... probably ate out that night, what with that man lying in your kitchen.
– Submitted by Matt T (8 months ago)
1. Arthur Bach: You're a hooker? I just thought I was doing great with you!
– Submitted by Matt T (8 months ago)
1. Mr. Hobson: I'll alert the media.
– Submitted by Chris P (9 months ago)
1. Arthur Bach: I'm going to take a bath.
– Submitted by Chris P (9 months ago)

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