The Grapes of Wrath

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2:21

The Grapes of Wrath

1940

2h 9m

Drama

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100%

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48 Reviews

88%

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10,000+ Ratings

The Joad clan, introduced to the world in John Steinbeck's iconic novel, is looking for a better life in California. After their drought-ridden farm is seized by the bank, the family -- led by just-paroled son Tom -- loads up a truck and heads West. On the road, beset by hardships, the Joads meet dozens of other families making the same trek and holding onto the same dream. Once in California, however, the Joads soon realize that the promised land isn't quite what they hoped.

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Critics Consensus

A potent drama that is as socially important today as when it was made, The Grapes of Wrath is affecting, moving, and deservedly considered an American classic.

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Otis Ferguson

The New Republic

08/29/2012

Movies will probably go on improving and broadening themselves; but in any event, The Grapes of Wrath is the most mature picture story that has ever been made, in feeling, in purpose, and in the use of the medium.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

12/28/2010

5/5

Classic John Steinbeck adaptation is still powerful.

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Chuck Bowen

Slant Magazine

11/22/2010

4/4

The Grapes of Wrath is flawed, but it captures that shiver of panic that grips anyone for whom the money for the next meal is unknown.

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Adrian Turner

Radio Times

07/22/2024

5/5

In this magnificent adaptation of John Steinbeck's Depression-era novel, Henry Fonda plays the farmer who leads his family from the dust bowl of Oklahoma to the promised land of California.

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Dilys Powell

Sunday Times (UK)

08/09/2022

The Grapes of Wrath is not just a film, not just a tragedy, not just a social indictment even; it is an experience; it is history unfolding like a terrible fungus; it is America.

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Gil Perez

Cine-Mundial

07/08/2022

Everyone who can will surely see this, as it will be the most talked about spectacle of the season, everywhere. [Full review in Spanish]

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Ed B.

@EdLee Mar 14

The Grapes pf Wrath is one of those films that I feel I need to watch at least once a year. It expertly brings to the screen John Steinbeck’s moving story of a family’s hardships in way of a journey to California. John Ford May be the best at telling stories via film on the human struggle and determination. This is a wonderful movie and acting including Jane Darwell as matriarch, Ma Joad and a young Henry Fonda as Tom Joad are exceptional.

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Eli H

@EliHendricks Feb 26

Read your Steinbeck folks! This is a great representation of what the government and the billionaires have been doing to poor folks for generations. How they convinced poor white folks that striking for better than poverty wages was "agitating". This is where our AI overlords want us to go back to.

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Mike W

@MikeW269 Sep 23

It is an awesome movie every part being as relevant today as it was 85 years ago. Hard to watch given the brutal reality faced by Sooners of the past. I have watched parts of it over the years but sat down from beginning to end tonight, and am better for it. John Carridine was excellent. He often does not get enough credit. I highly recommend it.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 9

Success in 2 hours and 9 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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William B

@RT83652365 02/05/2025

Very good movie. Recommended for anyone going through a hard time.

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Ron W

@RT29605322 01/24/2025

Other than the characteristic "overacting" so common in early films, this movie is basically perfect. The story rings as true today as when it was written. Beautiful story of human struggle.

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John Ford

Director

Henry Fonda

Tom Joad

Jane Darwell

Ma Joad

John Carradine

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Charley Grapewin

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The Grapes of Wrath: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

The Joad clan, introduced to the world in John Steinbeck's iconic novel, is looking for a better life in California. After their drought-ridden farm is seized by the bank, the family -- led by just-paroled son Tom -- loads up a truck and heads West. On the road, beset by hardships, the Joads meet dozens of other families making the same trek and holding onto the same dream. Once in California, however, the Joads soon realize that the promised land isn't quite what they hoped.

Director: John Ford
Producer: Darryl F Zanuck
Screenwriter: Nunnally Johnson
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 15, 1940, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Runtime: 2h 9m

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