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Harold and Maude (1971)

GP  -  Comedy | Drama  -  20 December 1971 (USA)
8.0
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Ratings: 8.0/10 from 39,613 users  
Reviews: 281 user | 86 critic

Young, rich, and obsessed with death, Harold finds himself changed forever when he meets lively septuagenarian Maude at a funeral.

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Title: Harold and Maude (1971)

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Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
Vivian Pickles ...
...
Glaucus
Charles Tyner ...
...
...
Priest
G. Wood ...
Psychiatrist
Judy Engles ...
Candy Gulf
Shari Summers ...
Edith Phern
...
Motorcycle Officer (as M. Borman)
Susan Madigan ...
Girlfriend
Ray K. Goman ...
Police Officer (as Ray Goman)
Gordon Devol ...
Police Officer (as Gordon DeVol)
Harvey Brumfield ...
Police Officer
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Storyline

Self-destructive and needy but wealthy teenager Harold is obsessed with death and spends his leisure time attending funerals, watching the demolition of buildings, visiting junkyards, simulating suicides trying to get the attention of his indifferent, snobbish and egocentric mother, and having sessions with his psychologist. When Harold meets the anarchic seventy-nine-year-old Maude at a funeral, they become friends and the old lady discloses other perspectives of the cycle of life for him. Meanwhile, his mother enlists him in a dating service and tries to force him to join the army. On the day of Maude's eightieth birthday, Harold proposes to her but he finds the truth about life at the end of hers. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

They were meant to be. But exactly what they were meant to be is not quite clear. See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

Certificate:

GP | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

20 December 1971 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Ensina-me a Viver  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

There is a deleted scene in which Mrs. Chasen talks with Harold's dummy, mistaking him for her son. It is described in detail in the book-adaptation. See more »

Goofs

When Maude pulls the banjo out of a cabinet, you see the reflection of crew and lights. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Mrs. Chasen: [after spotting Harold hanging from a noose in the living room] I suppose you think that's very funny, Harold... Oh, dinner at eight, Harold. And do try and be a little more vivacious.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in The Wonder Years: Nose (1993) See more »

Soundtracks

"If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out"
(1971) (uncredited)
Written and Performed by Cat Stevens
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

The reason movies exist!
29 June 2004 | by (England) – See all my reviews

I only saw this film quite recently but it hopped straight to my number one film of all time. It is beautiful. Bud Cort is charming as Harold and Ruth Gordon - dare I say cute? As Maude. If I look like her when I'm eighty I'll be out there nicking cars and fluttering my eyelashes at policemen too! Maude wrenches Harold free from his morbid and lonely existence to show him how lush and amazing the world can be and he emerges from his experiences a happy man. This is definitely one of the films that (along with say, Fight Club, American Beauty and The Rocky Horror Picture Show) show you can be who you want to be, and you needn't let anyone oppress you. It's brilliant. Everyone should know a Maude. It has inspired me to buy a banjo and play Cat Stevens songs.


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Message Boards

Recent Posts
My take on the sex scene klules664
Did it bother anyone else that Maude was 80? sam_fringo
How do you view the end? LadyC7869
I feel like I have finally seen the light! sweetmelley07
Scene in Maude's trailer klules664
What is Harold holding? birdwhoswims
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