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Cimarron

Play trailer Poster for Cimarron 1931 2h 11m Western Play Trailer Watchlist
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52% Tomatometer 33 Reviews 26% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
In 1889, adventurous lawyer and newspaper editor Yancey Cravat (Richard Dix) convinces his genteel wife, Sabra (Irene Dunne), to join him in the rush to populate Osage, Oklahoma. After they begin to settle into the community, Yancey leaves to go further west. Alone, Sabra inherits his editorial duties and struggles to bring civilization to the rough frontier town. Over a tumultuous 40 years, the couple are repeatedly separated and reunited as Oklahoma makes its long journey to statehood.
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Cimarron

Cimarron

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Critics Consensus

Cimarron is supported by a strong performance from Irene Dunne, but uneven in basically every other regard, and riddled with potentially offensive stereotypes.

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Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker 07/28/2022
One of Edna Ferber's heartfelt, numbskull treks through the hardships and glories of the American heritage. Go to Full Review Times (UK) Staff The Times (UK) 01/12/2021
It is somehow a little disappointing that the film which opens with the rush for the land in Oklahoma should end with a luncheon-party, and after-luncheon speeches at the Ritz-Carlton, or some such hotel. Go to Full Review SMH Staff Sydney Morning Herald 01/24/2020
The conclusion of the story... is not in the least convincing. Go to Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies 01/14/2024
2.5/5
Cimarron...did not age well at all. Go to Full Review Christopher Lloyd The Film Yap 09/04/2023
4/5
Thought certain aspects of the Best Picture winner are archaic remnants of their time, it's still a sprawling and ambitious pioneer story with a proto-feminist tilt. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy 08/10/2023
2/4
Arguably the worst Best Picture winner in the Academy’s 95-year history. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Christian K @ckacar Jan 7 Pretty uninspiring work across the board, with seemingly nothing interesting to say about the time or the people living in it. See more ChrisCSH H 01/30/2025 Cimarron is definitely a film that was made for its time and it hasn’t aged completely well but it’s still a grand ambitious Pioneer tail that spans many years. For its time the exterior shots of vast land and the city is truly amazing for the time along with the huge group of extra cast members for the outside shots. See more CodyZamboni @CodyZamboni 03/19/2023 Movie tells a compelling epic story. I like the parallel stories of the growith of the small Western settlement to major city, paired with the main family's humble beginnings, but growing in wealth, power and political influence. And despite his family's success over 40 years, the patriarch still sticks to his ideals of justice and pioneering spirit. Movie justly received Oscars for production design and art direction. See more Mark A 01/03/2023 Doesn't really hold up. See more michael d 12/13/2021 This is perhaps the worst film to win Best Picture I've ever seen. I suppose at the time it was lauded and, in full disclosure, I am not a huge western fan and this is only one of three westerns to win Best Picture in history (the first). The movie didn't recoup the budget RKO spent on the film due in large part to the depression. There are strong performances by Irene Dunne and it is riddled with offensive stereotypes. I think the film is an excellent study about how tastes have changed over the years. It's badly dated, slow moving, and pocked with racist caricatures. The recreation of the great 1889 Oklahoma Land Rush remains exciting but unfortunately the film never manages to top the opening shot. See more Leaburn O 02/02/2021 About as ridiculously politically incorrect as you can get but I just love an old western with all the stereotypical characters. It's a load of guff but kept me entertained which wasn't always the case with early best picture wins. Not as bad as some of the dross to pick up the top award. And with that, I'm done. The epic track through best picture winners is over... until this year's winner is announced. See more Read all reviews
Cimarron

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Cast & Crew

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Wesley Ruggles

Director

Richard Dix

Yancey Cravat

Irene Dunne

Sabra Cravat

Estelle Taylor

Dixie Lee

Nance O'Neil

Felice Venable

William Collier Jr.

The Kid

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Cimarron

Cimarron (1931) Cimarron (1931) Cimarron (1931) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1889, adventurous lawyer and newspaper editor Yancey Cravat (Richard Dix) convinces his genteel wife, Sabra (Irene Dunne), to join him in the rush to populate Osage, Oklahoma. After they begin to settle into the community, Yancey leaves to go further west. Alone, Sabra inherits his editorial duties and struggles to bring civilization to the rough frontier town. Over a tumultuous 40 years, the couple are repeatedly separated and reunited as Oklahoma makes its long journey to statehood.
Director
Wesley Ruggles
Producer
William LeBaron, Wesley Ruggles
Screenwriter
Howard Estabrook
Distributor
RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co
RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Genre
Western
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 9, 1931, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 8, 2017
Runtime
2h 11m
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