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IMDbPro

Lust for Life

  • 19561956
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 2h 2m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
12K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
9,499
2,196
Kirk Douglas and Julie Robinson in Lust for Life (1956)
Watch Trailer [OV]
Play trailer3:04
1 Video
99+ Photos
BiographyDrama
The life of brilliant but tortured artist Vincent van Gogh.The life of brilliant but tortured artist Vincent van Gogh.The life of brilliant but tortured artist Vincent van Gogh.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
12K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
9,499
2,196
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Directors
      • Vincente Minnelli
      • George Cukor(uncredited)
    • Writers
      • Norman Corwin(screen play)
      • Irving Stone(based on the novel by)
    • Stars
      • Kirk Douglas
      • Anthony Quinn
      • James Donald
    Top credits
    • Directors
      • Vincente Minnelli
      • George Cukor(uncredited)
    • Writers
      • Norman Corwin(screen play)
      • Irving Stone(based on the novel by)
    • Stars
      • Kirk Douglas
      • Anthony Quinn
      • James Donald
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 91User reviews
    • 62Critic reviews
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 4 wins & 6 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer [OV]
    Trailer 3:04
    Trailer [OV]

    Photos123

    Kirk Douglas in Lust for Life (1956)
    Kirk Douglas in Lust for Life (1956)
    Kirk Douglas and Jill Bennett in Lust for Life (1956)
    Kirk Douglas, James Donald, and Toni Gerry in Lust for Life (1956)
    Kirk Douglas in Lust for Life (1956)
    Kirk Douglas in Lust for Life (1956)
    Kirk Douglas and James Donald in Lust for Life (1956)
    Kirk Douglas in Lust for Life (1956)
    Kirk Douglas and Julie Robinson in Lust for Life (1956)
    Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn, and Julie Robinson in Lust for Life (1956)
    Kirk Douglas in Lust for Life (1956)
    Kirk Douglas in Lust for Life (1956)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Kirk Douglas
    Kirk Douglas
    • Vincent Van Gogh
    Anthony Quinn
    Anthony Quinn
    • Paul Gauguin
    James Donald
    James Donald
    • Theo Van Gogh
    Pamela Brown
    Pamela Brown
    • Christine
    Everett Sloane
    Everett Sloane
    • Dr. Gachet
    Niall MacGinnis
    Niall MacGinnis
    • Roulin
    Noel Purcell
    Noel Purcell
    • Anton Mauve
    Henry Daniell
    Henry Daniell
    • Theodorus Van Gogh
    Madge Kennedy
    Madge Kennedy
    • Anna Cornelia Van Gogh
    Jill Bennett
    Jill Bennett
    • Willemien
    Lionel Jeffries
    Lionel Jeffries
    • Dr. Peyron
    Laurence Naismith
    Laurence Naismith
    • Dr. Bosman
    Eric Pohlmann
    Eric Pohlmann
    • Colbert
    Jeanette Sterke
    Jeanette Sterke
    • Kay
    Toni Gerry
    • Johanna
    Wilton Graff
    Wilton Graff
    • Rev. Stricker
    Isobel Elsom
    Isobel Elsom
    • Mrs. Stricker
    David Horne
    David Horne
    • Rev. Peeters
    • Directors
      • Vincente Minnelli
      • George Cukor(uncredited)
    • Writers
      • Norman Corwin(screen play)
      • Irving Stone(based on the novel by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Many of the locations used for filming were the actual locations Vincent van Gogh visited in his life.
    • Goofs
      At Arles, when Paul Gaugin is explaining his philosophy, Vincent mistakes him for Theo saying "but Theo, err Paul ..."

      It seems to be an error on Kirk Douglas's part, but is, in fact, in the script. The whole point of the line is that van Gogh views his conversation with Gauguin as nothing more than an extension of talks he's had with Theo since childhood.
    • Quotes

      Paul Gauguin: With all your talk of emotion, all I see when I look at your work is just that you paint too fast!

      Vincent Van Gogh: You look too fast!

    • Connections
      Featured in Van Gogh: Darkness Into Light (1956)
    • Soundtracks
      La Marseillaise
      (1792) (uncredited)

      Written by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle

      Played by a band in France, near the end

    User reviews91

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    One very fine movie
    I've seen this movie several times now, and every time with enjoyment and great appreciation.

    The acting by Douglas and Quinn is truly first rate. It's a shame Douglas didn't get the best actor Oscar for which he was so deservedly nominated, but competition that year in that category was fierce. He truly makes you feel van Gogh's frightened agony, both at not being able to achieve what he wanted in his art and his fear of approaching insanity. (It ran in van Gogh's family; he knew what was coming.)

    But I also enjoy the great efforts made to reproduce the scenes van Gogh painted, whether in Holland, Arles, or outside Paris. That couldn't have been easy, but if you know van Gogh's work, it really adds to the effect the movie makes.

    There are times when the characters speak like an art history textbook - though those painters did love to discuss their theories on art, as you see in their letters.

    Still, I consider this to be one fine movie. Whether it gives an accurate depiction of van Gogh or Gauguin is beside the point. It's based on a novel by Irving Stone, who didn't hesitate to change facts to make for a book that would sell; it's not a BBC documentary, and shouldn't be judged as such. It does a great job of showing us the torments of a great painter, and gives us some idea of what van Gogh was up to. That's more than enough for me.
    helpful•4
    0
    • richard-1787
    • Feb 23, 2013

    FAQ4

    • What is 'Lust for Life' about?
    • Is 'Lust for Life' based on a book?
    • Does the movie show van Gogh cutting off his ear?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 30, 1956 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Zudnja za zivotom
    • Filming locations
      • Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône, France
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,227,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 2 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.55 : 1

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