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IMDbPro

The Pursuit of Happiness

  • 19711971
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
401
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
44,104
14,554
The Pursuit of Happiness (1971)
CrimeDrama
A young college student is sent to prison as much for killing a pedestrian with his car as for not paying his parking tickets. When the opportunity presents itself he escapes and is subseque... Read allA young college student is sent to prison as much for killing a pedestrian with his car as for not paying his parking tickets. When the opportunity presents itself he escapes and is subsequently on the run with his girlfriend. But how long can this situation last?A young college student is sent to prison as much for killing a pedestrian with his car as for not paying his parking tickets. When the opportunity presents itself he escapes and is subsequently on the run with his girlfriend. But how long can this situation last?
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
401
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
44,104
14,554
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Robert Mulligan
    • Writers
      • Thomas Rogers(book)
      • Jon Boothe(screenplay)
      • George Sherman(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Michael Sarrazin
      • Barbara Hershey
      • Arthur Hill
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Robert Mulligan
    • Writers
      • Thomas Rogers(book)
      • Jon Boothe(screenplay)
      • George Sherman(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Michael Sarrazin
      • Barbara Hershey
      • Arthur Hill
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 8User reviews
    • 14Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Photos14

    The Pursuit of Happiness (1971)
    The Pursuit of Happiness (1971)
    The Pursuit of Happiness (1971)
    The Pursuit of Happiness (1971)
    The Pursuit of Happiness (1971)
    Barbara Hershey and Michael Sarrazin in The Pursuit of Happiness (1971)
    Barbara Hershey, Robert Klein, and Michael Sarrazin in The Pursuit of Happiness (1971)
    Michael Sarrazin in The Pursuit of Happiness (1971)
    Barbara Hershey in The Pursuit of Happiness (1971)
    Michael Sarrazin in The Pursuit of Happiness (1971)
    Barbara Hershey and Michael Sarrazin in The Pursuit of Happiness (1971)
    Barbara Hershey, Robert Klein, and Michael Sarrazin in The Pursuit of Happiness (1971)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Sarrazin
    Michael Sarrazin
    • William Popper
    Barbara Hershey
    Barbara Hershey
    • Jane Kauffman
    Arthur Hill
    Arthur Hill
    • John Popper
    Ruth White
    Ruth White
    • Mrs. Popper
    E.G. Marshall
    E.G. Marshall
    • Daniel Lawrence
    Robert Klein
    Robert Klein
    • Melvin Lasher
    Sada Thompson
    Sada Thompson
    • Ruth Lawrence
    David Doyle
    David Doyle
    • James Moran
    Barnard Hughes
    Barnard Hughes
    • Judge Vogel
    Peter White
    Peter White
    • Terence Lawrence
    Tom Rosqui
    Tom Rosqui
    • District Attorney Keller
    William Devane
    William Devane
    • Pilot
    Gilbert Lewis
    Gilbert Lewis
    • Convict George Wilson
    Albert Henderson
    • Convict McCardle
    Ralph Waite
    Ralph Waite
    • Detective Cromie
    Joseph Attles
    • Holmes
    Beulah Garrick
    • Josephine
    Jack Somack
    • Judge Palumbo
    • Director
      • Robert Mulligan
    • Writers
      • Thomas Rogers(book)
      • Jon Boothe(screenplay)
      • George Sherman(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This was Ruth White's final film before her death on December 3, 1969 at the age of fifty-five.
    • Quotes

      Daniel Lawrence: Your behavior from here on in will be as much on trial as the details of the accident.

    • Soundtracks
      The Pursuit of Happiness
      Music and Lyrics by Randy Newman

      Performed by Randy Newman

    User reviews8

    Review
    Top review
    4/10
    Unintentionally Hilarious - The Pursuit of Happiness
    This film was made to be a midnight movie. I could just imagine all the characters in the film being played by dressed-up teens. It would be a riot. Two silver spoons are supposedly attending Columbia (both of them are prime community college material). In the greatest challenge of her acting career, Barbara Hershey, who loves to take off her pants, plays a Columbia coed. Please. Things are not much better with the clueless Michael Sarrazin, who makes more bad decisions in two weeks than most people make in a lifetime. Neither of these characters could even find the room for the SAT test to get into any college. Normally, I would say don't waste your time, but watching this film is like watching a 20 car pileup on the highway; you just can't ignore it, even though it is horrible to watch. Robert Klein is very good, though, as is EG Marshall. His son in the film would go on to make Boys in the Band, a great movie. Someone has to make this a midnight movie.
    helpful•0
    0
    • arthur_tafero
    • Sep 30, 2021

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 25, 1971 (West Germany)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Fünf Finger geben eine Faust
    • Production company
      • Talent Associates
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross US & Canada
      • $52,386
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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