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The Good Earth

Play trailer Poster for The Good Earth 1937 2h 18m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 19 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Inspired by a Pearl S. Buck novel, this inspiring drama follows the many ups and downs in the lives of Chinese farmers Wang Lung and O-Lan. Though the couple initially finds success farming their land, their fortunes decline, and lean times follow. Later, when Wang Lung and O-Lan once again reap bountiful harvests and raise a family, the presence of the beautiful young Lotus complicates their lives further.
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The Good Earth

Critics Reviews

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Dan Jardine Slant Magazine 08/10/2010
81/100
Epic in scope, though intimate in effect. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety 10/18/2008
No harmful false note is struck. Go to Full Review Time Out 02/09/2006
It's a typically lumbering, cautious, overblown Thalberg project, saved by Rainer's genuinely moving, Oscar-winning portrayal of Chinese peasantry, and by an immensely spectacular storm of locusts. Go to Full Review James T. Hamada The Nippu Jiji (Honolulu) 04/14/2020
Seldom has such beautiful photography been seen on the screen. Go to Full Review Ann Ross Maclean's Magazine 07/22/2019
A superb screen version of Pearl Buck's Chinese novel about peasants, famine, plague, slow poverty and sudden riches. Go to Full Review Sarah Boslaugh Playback:stl 05/13/2016
7/10
...an epic tale of a Chinese family who overcomes famine, revolution, locusts, and a whole lot more in their journey from poverty to prosperity. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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bruce F @bruce999 2d a classic tale of goodness, the love of money, and 'the one' worth watching See more Meri S. @mschroeder May 5 The book, of course ,was amazing and for the most part (esp the first 1/2) the movie followed the book. With some deviations during the second hour. The acting was more of a high school level performance, very weak. I’m surprised by all of the reviews that said the acting was great. See more aya t @ayaueta Dec 16 Actually they should have given anna may wong the lead but cuz of the rule that asian cannot be kissing a white on screen, anna was rejected. Funny the white lead was playing a chinese yellowface. Only chance for anna to win an oscar since she died young, so missed out playing the auntie in flower drum song. See more Martin B @Martin49er 12/05/2024 Even better than the last time I saw it. I read the book first long, long ago of course- have seen the movie 3 times now- still powerful and moving. See more Jeff S @jeffstone 03/03/2024 As wonderful as the novel is, the movie didn't disappoint. See more Michael M @RT25506845 12/11/2023 A wonderful movie and as a Chinese American I can over look the yellow face. I can't believe how good it is for an 83 year old movie! It is a must see! We will see you in the "big house"! See more Read all reviews
The Good Earth

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Cast & Crew

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Sidney Franklin

Director

Paul Muni

Wang Lung

Luise Rainer

O-Lan

Walter Connolly

Uncle

Tilly Losch

Lotus

Charley Grapewin

Old Father

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The Good Earth

The Good Earth (1937) The Good Earth (1937) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Inspired by a Pearl S. Buck novel, this inspiring drama follows the many ups and downs in the lives of Chinese farmers Wang Lung and O-Lan. Though the couple initially finds success farming their land, their fortunes decline, and lean times follow. Later, when Wang Lung and O-Lan once again reap bountiful harvests and raise a family, the presence of the beautiful young Lotus complicates their lives further.
Director
Sidney Franklin
Producer
Irving Thalberg, Albert Lewin
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 6, 1937, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2009
Runtime
2h 18m
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