The Yearling

1946

The Yearling

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

100%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 14

77%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 3,769

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The Yearling Photos

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Movie Info

Based on the novel by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, The Yearling is set in post-Civil War Florida. Claude Jarman Jr. plays Jody Baxter, the lonely son of just-getting-by farmers Pa and Ma Baxter (Gregory Peck and Jane Wyman). With all of his siblings dead and buried, Jody yearns to have a pet of some sort. When Pa is forced by circumstances to kill a doe, the animal's fawn-the yearling of the title-is adopted by Jody. The boy's love for the animal does not alter the fact that the fawn is eating all of the Baxters' crops. Sadly, Pa tells Jody that he must kill the yearling before all their crops are destroyed. Jody can't bring himself to do this, so he sets the animal free in the wilds. Time and again, however, the yearling returns to the farm. Finally, Ma Baxter, who'd been against having the fawn on the property in the first place, shoots and wounds the animal. Now, Jody has no choice: rather than see his beloved yearling writhe in agony, he kills it. Though this results in a rift between himself and his family, Jody at last realizes that, by taking the responsiblity of saving the farm at the expense of his own feelings, he has also taken the first step towards manhood. He himself is a "yearling" no more. MGM had intended to film The Yearling in 1941 with a different cast and director, but a series of personality clashes delayed production for five years. Watching the inspired performances of Gregory Peck, Jane Wyman and Claude Jarman Jr., it is nearly impossible to imagine the film with its originally intended cast of Spencer Tracy, Anne Revere and the unknown Gene Eckman. The studio had also intended to lens the film on location in Florida, but in the end it proved more practical and expedient to shoot in the studio and its environs. Oscars went to the Technicolor photography of Charles Rosher, Leonard Smith and Arthur Arling, and to the art direction/set decoration work of Cedric Gibbons, Paul Groesse and Edwin B. Willis. Originally released at 128 minutes, the film was reissued in a butchered 94 minute version; steer clear of this one and opt for the still-available original.
  • Rating:
    G
  • Genre:
    Classics, Kids & Family
  • Directed By:
    Clarence Brown
  • Written By:
    Paul Osborn
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    MGM Home Entertainment

Cast

Gregory Peck
as Pa Baxter
Jane Wyman
as Ma Baxter
Claude Jarman Jr.
as Jody Baxter
Margaret Wycherly
as Ma Forrester
Chill Wills
as Buck Forrester
Clem Bevans
as Pa Forrester
Henry Travers
as Mr. Boyles
Forrest Tucker
as Lem Forrester
Donn Gift
as Fodderwing
Dan White
as Millwheel
Matt Willis
as Gabby
George Mann
as Pack
Arthur Hohl
as Arch
June Lockhart
as Twink Weatherby
Joan Wells
as Eulalie
Jeff York
as Oliver
Chick York
as Doc Wilson
Jane Green
as Mrs. Saunders
Victor Kilian
as Captain
Robert Porterfield
as Mate
Houseley Stevenson Sr.
as Mr. Ranger
Frank Eldredge
as Deckhand
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Critic Reviews for The Yearling

All Critics (14) | Fresh (14)

View All Critic Reviews (14)

Audience Reviews for The Yearling

  • Jun 02, 2014
    A bit on the barfy side. A young man decides to raise a deer and becomes a man. Let's forget about this one, shall we?
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Jan 27, 2010
    WOW! FANTASTIC! Good thing OZ was made in year 1939, because that would have stolen the prize but, I have to say that this movie is comparable to the Wizard of Oz!
    KJ P Super Reviewer
  • Aug 26, 2007
    What a great family film! (Go ahead and take 4 man-points away - I cried like a little girl) lol
    Kevin S Super Reviewer
  • Aug 25, 2006
    Wow... I so cried at the end.
    Leigh R Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

The Yearling Quotes

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