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Written on the Wind (1956)

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Average Rating: 7.4/10
Reviews Counted: 21
Fresh: 17 | Rotten: 4

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 0

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User Ratings: 3,018

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Movie Info

Perhaps the definitive Douglas Sirk production, Written on the Wind is based on the novel by Robert Wilder. The story revolves around the Hadleys, a wealthy but thoroughly debauched family of Texas oil millionaires. Robert Stack is self-destructive alcoholic Kyle Hadley, while Dorothy Malone won an Oscar for her equally vivid potrayal of Kyle's nymphomaniac sister Marylee. Kyle manages to win beautiful, level-headed advertising executive Lucy Moore (Lauren Bacall) away from his best friend,

Unrated, 1 hr. 39 min.

Drama, Classics, Comedy

Directed By: Douglas Sirk

Written By: George Zuckerman

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1957 Wide

On DVD: Aug 21, 2001

Universal International Pictur

Written on the Wind Trailer & Photos

Cast

Rock Hudson
Mitch Wayne
Lauren Bacall
Lucy Moore Hadley
Robert Stack
Kyle Hadley
Dorothy Malone
Marylee Hadley
Robert Keith
Jasper Hadley
Grant Williams
Biff Miley
Robert J. Wilke
Dan Willis
Edward Platt
Dr. Paul Cochrane
Harry Shannon
Hoak Wayne
John Larch
Roy Carter
Maide Norman
Bertha
William Schallert
Reporter
Joanne Moore Jordan
Brunette
Dani Crayne
Blonde
Dorothy Porter
Secretary
Robert Brubaker
Hotel Manager
Kevin Corcoran
Boy in Drugstore
George de Normand
Roy E. Glenn Sr.
Sam
Joseph Granby
R.J. Courtney
Don C. Harvey
Taxi Starter
Phil Harvey
Jane Howard
Robert Lyden
Kyle as a Boy
Robert Malcolm Young
Hotel Proprietor
Susan Odin
Marylee as a Girl
Cynthia Patrick
Waitress
Floyd Simmons
Beer Drinker
Gail Bonney
Hotel Floorlady
Carl Christian
Bartender
Bert Holland
Court Clerk
Glen Kramer
Robert Winans
Mitch as a Boy
Paul Bradley
Maitre d'

Critic Reviews for Written on the Wind

All Critics (26) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (19) | Rotten (4) | DVD (14)

In countless ways visible and invisible, Sirk's sly subversion skewed American popular culture, and helped launch a new age of irony.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

A continuous aria of need, despair, self-loathing. It says 'Money can't buy you happiness' in 72-point all-caps Futura Bold.

July 7, 2010 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com

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Rob Gonsalves

eFilmCritic.com

It has far more strengths than weaknesses, but I can't put it close to his twin masterpieces All That Heaven Allows and Imitation of Life.

May 5, 2010 Full Review Source: Film and Felt

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Gabe Leibowitz

Film and Felt

A spellbinding twisty story teeming with sexual frustration and whatnot.

January 20, 2007 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Big screen sudser with Hudson and Bacall leading the tears.

December 23, 2006 Comment

Steve Crum

Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers

Works like gangbusters, with its irresistibly corny opening theme song, larger-than-life performances, sweeping hyper-romance, perfectly-timed bombshells of plot twists.

September 17, 2005 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com

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Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

On the surface, it's a sopa opera, a small-town melodrama about a troubled and powerful Texan clan, but it's Douglas Sirk's thematic critique, ironic approach and visual style that makes this Oscar-winning film stand out from the rest of the bunch

July 4, 2005 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

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Audience Reviews for Written on the Wind

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Written on the wind This is one of the true Classic's. It was recommended by my true friend raimoyna, as always she picks the best in Classic Films. This one here stars the True Rock, Rock Hudson that is along with Lauren Bacall, Dorothy Malone, and Robert Stack. Robert Stack plays the part of a Rich Oil Tycoon's

September 12, 2009