The Group (1966)

In June 1933, eight young women, who are close friends and members of the upper-class group at South Tower College, graduate and start their adult lives. The film documents the years ... See full summary »

Director:

Sidney Lumet

Writers:

Mary McCarthy (novel), Sidney Buchman (screenplay)

Stars:

Candice Bergen, Joan Hackett, Elizabeth Hartman

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Candice Bergen	...	Lakey Eastlake
Joan Hackett	...	Dottie Renfrew Latham
Elizabeth Hartman	...	Priss Hartshorn Crockett
Shirley Knight	...	Polly Andrews Ridgeley
Joanna Pettet	...	Kay Strong Peterson
Mary-Robin Redd	...	Pokey Prothero Beauchamp
Jessica Walter	...	Libby MacAusland
Kathleen Widdoes	...	Helena Davison
James Broderick	...	Dr. James Ridgeley
James Congdon	...	Sloan Crockett
Larry Hagman	...	Harald Peterson
Hal Holbrook	...	Gus Leroy
Richard Mulligan	...	Dick Brown
Robert Emhardt	...	Henry Andrews
Carrie Nye	...	Norine Blake

Storyline

In June 1933, eight young women, who are close friends and members of the upper-class group at South Tower College, graduate and start their adult lives. The film documents the years between their graduation and the beginning of the Second World War in Europe, and shows, in a serialized style, their romances and marriages, their searches for careers or meaning in their lives, their highs and their lows.

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Plot Keywords:

female doctor | f rated | child raising | marriage | playwright | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 March 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Group

Filming Locations:

Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,400,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Famartists Productions S.A.

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sidney Lumet accepted to directed the film purely on the basis of Sidney Buchman's screenplay, which he praised highly and to which (so he claimed) he made no alterations. He did not read Mary McCarthy's novel until later and was dismissive of it, saying the screenplay had improved upon it.

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Goofs

The setting is supposed to be between 1933-40, however some of the ladies' hairstyles reflect the styles of the mid-60s. Libby (Jessica Walter) is the most notorious of the group, her up-do with pigtails at Kay & Harald's party being the most obvious of the styles.

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Quotes

[repeated line]
Pokey: Who'd a thunk it?

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent (1991)

User Reviews

Brilliant!!

I saw this film last night and was absolutely stunned by how excellent it was. Not only did it seem to be one of the first 'chick flicks' (sorry for anyone who hates that title) but it was incredibly brave to deal with extremly contentious issues. The colours and the costumes in the film made the film seem like a true snapshot for life for seven educated women getting by in the first half in the century. It did not shy away from the issues of sex, and mental illness which is brave for a film made over thirty years ago. I started watching this film because I couldn't sleep but ended up watching it until 2.30am defintely entertaining and possibly superior to 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie'??