In Dubious Battle (2016)

An activist gets caught up in the labor movement for farm workers in California during the 1930s.

Director:

James Franco

Writers:

Matt Rager (screenplay by) (as Matthew Rager), John Steinbeck (based on the book by)

Stars:

Nat Wolff, James Franco, Vincent D'Onofrio

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nat Wolff	...	Jim
James Franco	...	Mac
Vincent D'Onofrio	...	London
Selena Gomez	...	Lisa
Ahna O'Reilly	...	Edie
Analeigh Tipton	...	Vera
Jack Kehler	...	Dr. Burton
Scott Haze	...	Frank the Foreman
Sam Shepard	...	Mr. Anderson
Joel Marsh Garland	...	Al
John Savage	...	Dan
Robert Duvall	...	Bolton
Ed Harris	...	Joy
Josh Hutcherson	...	Vinnie
Julian De Niro	...	Billy

Storyline

In the California apple country, 900 migratory workers rise up "in dubious battle" against the landowners. The group takes on a life of its own - stronger than its individual members and more frightening. Led by the doomed Jim Nolan (Nat Wolff), the strike is founded on his tragic idealism - on the "courage never to submit or yield." Published in 1936, the novel "In Dubious Battle" is considered the first major work of Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Steinbeck.

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Plot Keywords:

period drama | period piece | historical drama | costume drama | labor strike | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violence and brief sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Announcement

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 February 2017 (USA)

Also Known As:

Batalha Incerta

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Thats Hollywood,Ambi Pictures,RabbitBandini Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

James Franco is starring in and directing this film.

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Goofs

Scene where Mac brushes his teeth, he's using a 21st century white plastic toothbrush with accordion bend.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Jim: [narrating] My pop always told me to watch the scales. Said the world will always find a way to cheat the working man. I met Mac McLeod in 1933, and I witnessed up close the price of real change.
Title Card: At the height of The Great Depression, nearly one quarter of Americans were without jobs.
Bolton: [standing on the back of his truck] Gentlemen, ladies, come in, come in. Listen, please. Hear what I have to say, all right? This price cut pains me as much as it pains you. With the market as volatile ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Half in the Bag: The Disaster Artist (2017)

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Soundtracks

Stepping In, Stepping Out
Written and Performed by Timo Elliston
Published by 16W18 Music (BMI)
By Arrangement with BANG NY

User Reviews

Timshel

Perhaps one day a faithful adaptation of Steinbeck's novel will be produced. This movie has nothing in common with the book it supposedly bases itself on aside from some names of the characters -- there's nothing wrong with the choice of cast -- and the setting -- the locations could have set the scene for a wonderful film.

The speech in Steinbeck's novel is authentic and believable. The scriptwriter could have transplanted it directly and with a little imagination expanded on it.

What a terrible shame!