The Paper Chase (1973)

A first-year law student struggles with balancing his coursework and his relationship with the daughter of a stern professor.

Director:

James Bridges

Writers:

James Bridges, John Jay Osborn Jr. (novel)

Stars:

Timothy Bottoms, Lindsay Wagner, John Houseman

Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Timothy Bottoms	...	James T. Hart
Lindsay Wagner	...	Susan Fields
John Houseman	...	Charles W. Kingsfield Jr.
Graham Beckel	...	Franklin Ford III
James Naughton	...	Kevin Brooks
Edward Herrmann	...	Thomas Craig Anderson
Craig Richard Nelson	...	Willis Bell
Robert Lydiard	...	O'Connor (as Bob Lydiard)
Lenny Baker	...	William Moss, Tutor
David Clennon	...	Toombs
Regina Baff	...	Asheley Brooks
Irma Hurley	...	Mrs. Weasal
Bill Moher	...	Philip
Blair Brown	...	Miss Farranti
Richard Whelan	...	Pruit

Storyline

Hart is a first year law student, desperately trying to impress his sternest professor, Kingsfield. Hart is overwhelmed with the pressure, the work, and his fear of failure. He meets Susan and begins an affair with her, discovering that she is Kingsfield's daughter. Not really love story as much as it is a becoming an adult tale.

---

Plot Keywords:

professor | law | classroom | speedo | no music during opening credits | 

---

Taglines:

You have to choose between the girl you love and the diploma you've worked for all your life. You have 30 seconds.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 October 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Vida de un estudiante

Filming Locations:

Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Thompson-Paul Productions, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Houseman was cast as Professor Kingsfield only after director James Bridges tried and failed to interest James Mason, Edward G. Robinson, Melvyn Douglas, Sir John Gielgud, and Paul Scofield. Although Houseman had appeared in a small but important role in Seven Days in May, he had previously been known primarily as a radio (The Mercury Theatre of the Air; 1938's 'The War of the Worlds'), stage (Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre) and film (Julius Caesar) producer, and this was his first major film role. It won him the 1973 Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor.

---

Goofs

When Jim jumps on the bed next to Susan, his position next to her changes between shots.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Professor Kingsfield: Mr. Hart, would you recite for us the facts of Hawkins versus McGee?
[looks up]
Professor Kingsfield: I do have you name right? You are "Mr. Hart"?
Hart: [mumbles] Yes, my name's Hart.
Professor Kingsfield: You're not speaking loud enough, Mr. Hart. Will you speak up?
Hart: Yes, my name's Hart.
Professor Kingsfield: Mr. Hart, you're still not speaking loud enough. Will you stand?

---

Connections

Spoofed in Soul Man (1986)

---

Soundtracks

"THE 'LITTLE FUGUE' IN G-"
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach

User Reviews

law school pressure and the pre-bionic woman

I have friends who have gone to law school and their subjective descriptions of how intense an experience that was seem to be validated in this now 30-year-old film. Houseman and Bottoms shine, the rest of the cast (while a bit too stuffy) seem to compliment them without flaw. I liked seeing a very young (unspoiled) Lindsey Wagner in her pre-bionic woman days. Truthfully, though certainly dated at this point, this film still held my interest. I was, however, disappointed in the last scene, for although it may have meant to be liberating for the Bottoms character to shift his priorities the timing, (upon receipt of his final grades) seemed ill chosen. Still, one can't help but root for him through all of this. In the end one wonders if while retaining his idealism he sacrificed his sanity.