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The Pumpkin Eater

Play trailer Poster for The Pumpkin Eater 1964 1h 50m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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69% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Jo (Anne Bancroft) leaves the banality of her marriage to second husband Giles (Richard Johnson) to wed her screenwriter lover, Jake Armitage (Peter Finch), but insists her new husband adhere to her strict marital ideals. Though their relationship is passionate, Jo, now a mother of six, begins to feel stifled in her role as a doting homemaker -- and increasingly isolated from Peter, who is filming on location in Morocco. Jo's sanity is shaken when it seems Peter is not being faithful.
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The Pumpkin Eater

Critics Reviews

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Bosley Crowther New York Times Aug 1, 2015
It might make for valid drama if Mr. Pinter had done a half‐way job of establishing this insecure woman on firm psychological ground. Go to Full Review TIME Magazine Aug 1, 2015
In this slow, strong, incisive film version of the book, the ironing out of a well-kept wife's unkempt psyche is portrayed with harrowing perception by Anne Bancroft. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety Feb 13, 2009
Anne Bancroft is exceptionally good... The role may sound conventional enough, but not as played by Bancroft; she adds a depth and understanding which puts it on a higher plane. Go to Full Review Kat Halstead Common Sense Media Sep 25, 2024
There are moments of humor, too, despite the heavy material, and a beautiful full-circle moment that manages to avoid feeling cheesy or forced, lending a sense of some hope and understanding to an otherwise weighty watch. Go to Full Review Joan Didion Vogue Mar 16, 2020
There are no easy answers here, no inadvertent banality, nothing off-key. Anne Bancroft gives a flawless performance. Go to Full Review Merl Edelman Los Angeles Free Press Jan 24, 2020
Miss Bancroft's performance is in a class few besides Garbo and Ingrid Bergman have ever achieved on the screen. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alain E @AlainE May 6, 2026 The image is nicely restored but the film itself is not worth watching today. I gave up at 37:28. On Tubi. See more Becca T. @BeccaBekkaBecka Apr 20, 2026 I knew it. I knew it because I lived my own version. I wasn't crazy either just like Jo. I just wish she'd been more verbal and divorced him for at least half plus alimony. See more Dante H @RT77074266 Feb 14, 2025 Great cast and brilliant performances, very 60s london. One of my top favourite films. There is nothing that I can fault- direction, cinematography, screenplay, performances.... See more Apr 23, 2021 Fascinating story of a marriage. Anne Bancroft and Peter Finch See more steve d @RT35616104 Jul 18, 2020 Besides some good performances the film is a mess and really unpleasant. See more Apr 14, 2017 Among the most provocative portrayals of a woman I've ever witnessed. Clayton uses every technique in the book to reach out and touch the audience. See more Read all reviews
The Pumpkin Eater

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Jack Clayton

Director

Anne Bancroft

Jo Armitage

Peter Finch

Jake Armitage

James Mason

Bob Conway

Cedric Hardwicke

Mr. James

Alan Webb

Mr. Armitage

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The Pumpkin Eater

The Pumpkin Eater (1964) The Pumpkin Eater (1964) The Pumpkin Eater (1964) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Jo (Anne Bancroft) leaves the banality of her marriage to second husband Giles (Richard Johnson) to wed her screenwriter lover, Jake Armitage (Peter Finch), but insists her new husband adhere to her strict marital ideals. Though their relationship is passionate, Jo, now a mother of six, begins to feel stifled in her role as a doting homemaker -- and increasingly isolated from Peter, who is filming on location in Morocco. Jo's sanity is shaken when it seems Peter is not being faithful.
Director
Jack Clayton
Producer
James Woolf
Screenwriter
Harold Pinter
Distributor
Columbia Home Video, Royal Films International
Production Co
Romulus Films Ltd.
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 9, 1964, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 15, 2010
Runtime
1h 50m
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