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IMDbPro

Sometimes a Great Notion

  • 19711971
  • PGPG
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
4.1K
YOUR RATING
Sometimes a Great Notion (1971)
A family of fiercely independent Oregon loggers struggle to keep the family business alive amidst changing times.
Play trailer2:44
1 Video
41 Photos
ActionAdventureDrama
A family of fiercely independent Oregon loggers struggle to keep the family business alive amidst changing times.A family of fiercely independent Oregon loggers struggle to keep the family business alive amidst changing times.A family of fiercely independent Oregon loggers struggle to keep the family business alive amidst changing times.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
4.1K
YOUR RATING
    • Paul Newman
    • Ken Kesey(novel)
    • John Gay(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Paul Newman
    • Henry Fonda
    • Lee Remick
    • Paul Newman
    • Ken Kesey(novel)
    • John Gay(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Paul Newman
    • Henry Fonda
    • Lee Remick
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 43User reviews
    • 26Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:44
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos41

    Michael Sarrazin in Sometimes a Great Notion (1971)
    Henry Fonda, Paul Newman, Lee Remick, and Michael Sarrazin in Sometimes a Great Notion (1971)
    Henry Fonda, Paul Newman, Richard Jaeckel, Lee Remick, Linda Lawson, and Michael Sarrazin in Sometimes a Great Notion (1971)
    Paul Newman and Lee Remick in Sometimes a Great Notion (1971)
    Paul Newman and Michael Sarrazin in Sometimes a Great Notion (1971)
    Lee Remick and Michael Sarrazin in Sometimes a Great Notion (1971)
    Henry Fonda, Paul Newman, Richard Jaeckel, Lee Remick, and Linda Lawson in Sometimes a Great Notion (1971)
    Henry Fonda and Paul Newman in Sometimes a Great Notion (1971)
    Paul Newman in Sometimes a Great Notion (1971)
    Sometimes a Great Notion (1971)
    Paul Newman in Sometimes a Great Notion (1971)
    Paul Newman in Sometimes a Great Notion (1971)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Paul Newman
    Paul Newman
    • Hank
    Henry Fonda
    Henry Fonda
    • Henry
    Lee Remick
    Lee Remick
    • Viv
    Michael Sarrazin
    Michael Sarrazin
    • Leeland
    Richard Jaeckel
    Richard Jaeckel
    • Joe Ben
    Linda Lawson
    Linda Lawson
    • Jan
    Cliff Potts
    Cliff Potts
    • Andy
    Sam Gilman
    Sam Gilman
    • John
    Lee de Broux
    Lee de Broux
    • Willard Eggleston
    Jim Burk
    • Biggy Newton
    Roy Jenson
    Roy Jenson
    • Elwood
    Joe Maross
    Joe Maross
    • Floyd Evenwrite
    Roy Poole
    Roy Poole
    • Draeger
    Charles Tyner
    Charles Tyner
    • Les Gibbons
    Bennie E. Dobbins
      Alan Gibbs
      Alan Gibbs
      Mickey Gilbert
      Dick Hudkins
        • Paul Newman
        • Ken Kesey(novel)
        • John Gay(screenplay)
      • All cast & crew
      • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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      Storyline

      Edit

      Did you know

      Edit
      • Trivia
        This film was the first movie ever shown on HBO when the service premiered in 1972.
      • Goofs
        In the fox hunt scene, when the fox jumps over the fence you can see the fox is wearing a 1/4" black collar with a little tiny bell on it.
      • Quotes

        Hank Stamper: [singing] Don't ever hit your mother with a shovel. It will leave a dull impression on her mind. Paul Newman said the same line in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid".

      • Alternate versions
        In the earliest video release version, circa 1982, when Leeland first arrives, there is a crane shot to reveal Hank looking down below at the family reunion. In the most current VHS release, circa 1994, the crane shot is edited out and is replaced with just a single cut from Viv, with an audio bridge to Hank on the roof.
      • Connections
        Featured in AFI Life Achievement Award: AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Henry Fonda (1978)
      • Soundtracks
        All His Children
        Lyrics by Marilyn Bergman and Alan Bergman
        Music by Henry Mancini
        Sung by Charley Pride

      User reviews43

      Review
      Review
      Featured review
      7/10
      A Simple Film About A Family's Life
      Definitely an old school movie where the drama is tied up in day to day living. No great examinations just a family trying to go about their own business and the impacts that their choices have on themselves and their community.

      Fonda is great and Newman just looks like he has been logging his entire life, super convincing.

      The conflicts within the family are frequent but they never allow them to go too far, family is family.

      It won't knock your socks off but its a nice film :)
      helpful•4
      0
      • damianphelps
      • Mar 6, 2021

      Details

      Edit
      • Release date
        • March 2, 1972 (United States)
        • United States
        • English
      • Also known as
      • Filming locations
        • Toledo, Oregon, USA
      • Production companies
        • Universal Pictures
        • Newman-Foreman Company
      • See more company credits at IMDbPro

      Box office

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      See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

      Technical specs

      Edit
      • 1 hour 54 minutes

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