The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

A poor Midwest family is forced off their land. They travel to California, suffering the misfortunes of the homeless in the Great Depression.

Director:

John Ford

Writers:

Nunnally Johnson (screen play), John Steinbeck (based on the novel by)

Stars:

Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, John Carradine

Won 2 Oscars. Another 8 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Henry Fonda	...	Tom Joad
Jane Darwell	...	Ma Joad
John Carradine	...	Jim Casy
Charley Grapewin	...	Grandpa Joad
Dorris Bowdon	...	Rosasharn Rivers
Russell Simpson	...	Pa Joad
O.Z. Whitehead	...	Al Joad
John Qualen	...	Muley Bates
Eddie Quillan	...	Connie Rivers
Zeffie Tilbury	...	Grandma Joad
Frank Sully	...	Noah Joad
Frank Darien	...	Uncle John Joad
Darryl Hickman	...	Winfield Joad
Shirley Mills	...	Ruthie Joad
Roger Imhof	...	Thomas

Storyline

The Joad clan, introduced to the world in John Steinbeck's iconic novel, is looking for a better life in California. After their drought-ridden farm is seized by the bank, the family -- led by just-paroled son Tom -- loads up a truck and heads West. On the road, beset by hardships, the Joads meet dozens of other families making the same trek and holding onto the same dream. Once in California, however, the Joads soon realize that the promised land isn't quite what they hoped.

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Plot Keywords:

great depression | bakersfield california | penny candy | colorado river bridge | softhearted truck drivers | 

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Taglines:

The most discussed book in years - now comes to the screen to become the most discussed picture in ages

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Woody Guthrie was an uncredited musical consultant for the film, selecting "Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Dead" for use in the picture as a typical Okie song.

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Goofs

As Tom walks across the dance floor after saying goodbye to his mother his shadow goes to his left. When the point of view changes, the shadows are perpendicular to this, coming from behind his mother.

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Quotes

Tom Joad: What's the matter, Grandpa?
Grandpa Joad: What's the matter? There's nothin' the matter. I just - I just ain't goin', that's all.
Pa Joad: What you mean you ain't goin'? We got to go. We got no place to stay.
Grandpa Joad: I ain't talkin' about you. I'm - I'm talkin' about me! I give'r a good goin' over all last night, and I'm a-stayin'!
Pa Joad: But you can't do that, Grandpa! This here land's goin' under the tractor. We all got to get out.
Grandpa Joad: All except me, and I'm stayin'!
Tom Joad: What about Grandma?
Grandpa Joad: Take her with ya!

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Alternate Versions

International distributions (e.g. UK) have a short ~30 second prologue at the beginning to explain the historical context to the story to touch on the socio-economic problems in the US which arose during the Great Depression and the concurrent Dust Bowl.

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Connections

Referenced in Robot Chicken: Papercut to Aorta (2013)

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Soundtracks

A Tisket, A Tasket
(uncredited)
Traditional
Background music during the first scene

User Reviews

A marvellous production of Steinbeck's epic.

Henry Fonda's portrayal of Tom Joad captures perfectly the humanity and compassion of the Steinbeck character, an ex-con who breaks his parole conditions by joining his family in their epic journey across the southern US to a "better life" in California.

This is not the usual Hollywood fare. Tragedy and betrayal beset the Joad family from the outset. But it is nonetheless an uplifting movie. Spirit, compassion and tenderness mark them out. Fonda's role is particularly understated, and we see, as in Steinbeck's masterly epic, the maternally robust figure of Ma holding the family together.

The performances all round are wonderful, and Ford's direction and sense of space under the big sky of the Midwest is breathtaking.

This film is now largely a testament to the time in which it was set, but like the war movies that were soon to follow, a story that needed telling lest we forget.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 March 1940 (USA)

Also Known As:

Highway 66

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$800,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min 108 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1