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IMDbPro

A Raisin in the Sun

  • 19611961
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 2h 8m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
8.6K
YOUR RATING
A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
Watch ’Trailer’
Play trailer2:49
1 Video
26 Photos
  • Drama
A substantial insurance payment could mean either financial salvation or personal ruin for a poor black family.A substantial insurance payment could mean either financial salvation or personal ruin for a poor black family.A substantial insurance payment could mean either financial salvation or personal ruin for a poor black family.
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
8.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Daniel Petrie
  • Writer
    • Lorraine Hansberry(play)
  • Stars
    • Sidney Poitier
    • Claudia McNeil
    • Ruby Dee
Top credits
  • Director
    • Daniel Petrie
  • Writer
    • Lorraine Hansberry(play)
  • Stars
    • Sidney Poitier
    • Claudia McNeil
    • Ruby Dee
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 68User reviews
    • 22Critic reviews
    • 87Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 BAFTA Awards
      • 3 wins & 7 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:49
    Trailer

    Photos26

    Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, and Diana Sands in A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
    Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, and Diana Sands in A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
    Sidney Poitier and Claudia McNeil in A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
    Ruby Dee in A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
    Lobby card from the Lorraine Hansberry drama 'A Raisin in the Sun' (Columbia Pictures), directed by Daniel Petrie and starring Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil, Ruby Dee, Diana Sands, Ivan Dixon, Louis Gossett, and Roy Glenn, Chicago, Illinois, 1961.
    A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
    A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
    A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
    Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, and Joel Fluellen in A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
    Sidney Poitier and Claudia McNeil in A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
    A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
    Claudia McNeil in A Raisin in the Sun (1961)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Sidney Poitier
    Sidney Poitier
    • Walter Lee Youngeras Walter Lee Younger
    Claudia McNeil
    Claudia McNeil
    • Lena Youngeras Lena Younger
    Ruby Dee
    Ruby Dee
    • Ruth Youngeras Ruth Younger
    Diana Sands
    Diana Sands
    • Beneatha Youngeras Beneatha Younger
    Ivan Dixon
    Ivan Dixon
    • Asagaias Asagai
    John Fiedler
    John Fiedler
    • Mark Lindneras Mark Lindner
    Louis Gossett Jr.
    Louis Gossett Jr.
    • George Murchisonas George Murchison
    • (as Louis Gossett)
    Steven Perry
    Steven Perry
    • Travis Youngeras Travis Younger
    • (as Stephen Perry)
    Joel Fluellen
    • Boboas Bobo
    Louis Terrel
    • Hermanas Herman
    Roy Glenn
    Roy Glenn
    • Willie Harrisas Willie Harris
    George DeNormand
    George DeNormand
    • Employeras Employer
    • (uncredited)
    Thomas D. Jones
    • Chauffeuras Chauffeur
    • (uncredited)
    Rudolph Monroe
    • Taxi Driveras Taxi Driver
    • (uncredited)
    Ray Stubbs
    • Bartenderas Bartender
    • (uncredited)
    David Susskind
    David Susskind
    • On-screen Trailer Narratoras On-screen Trailer Narrator
    • (uncredited)
    Bob Sweeney
    Bob Sweeney
    • Insurance Company Agentas Insurance Company Agent
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Daniel Petrie
    • Writer
      • Lorraine Hansberry(play) (screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      There was a tense and antagonistic relationship between Sidney Poitier and Claudia McNeil during the making of this film. The tension between the actor and actress had first developed when they played these parts in the play on Broadway. McNeil felt that film should adopt her character's point-of-view, a stance supported by the Playwright Lorraine Hansberry, while Poitier believed his character's struggles should be the focal point of the film. The actor and actress' distaste for one another never quite diminished, and Poitier wrote many years later that he believed that McNeil hated him.
    • Goofs
      When Benetha is talking to mama and getting ready to go out with George, the bracelet on her left arm keeps disappearing and reappearing.
    • Quotes

      Lena Younger: [sobbing] Oh God, please, look down and give me strength!

    • Connections
      Edited into Afro Promo (1997)

    User reviews68

    Review
    Top review
    Masterpiece
    Diary entry 1996:

    For decades I have been waiting for American TV to see fit to exhibit the movie version of "A Raisin in the Sun". The day will never come. So I grabbed the opportunity to check out the video from the library. I didn't expect to be moved as much as I was when I first saw the TV play. After all, I knew the plot. The novelty effect was no longer there. Yet I was tearful throughout the movie, and was wiping away tears for the last half hour. There are wonderful lines like "Seems God saw fit to give the black man nothing but dreams - but He sure saw fit to give'em children to make the dream seem worthwhile". "A raisin in the Sun" is not only the greatest movie drama, but also the greatest American play. This play transcends race and addresses universal issues. It combines drama with humor with admirable balance.
    helpful•22
    10
    • ivan-22
    • Jun 14, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 18, 1961 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Groždje na suncu
    • Filming locations
      • Chicago, Illinois, USA
    • Production company
      • Columbia Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,500,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 8 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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