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The Grapes of Wrath
directed by John Ford
The Grapes of Wrath is director John Ford's most famous epic and was considered by many to be the penultimate American film, until the release of Citizen Kane one year later. It was also the most popular left-leaning, socialistic-themed film of pre-World War II Hollywood.Filmed in a journalistic, documentary-style black and white, the film records with astute realism rural America in the 30s, honestly and realistically recreating the socio-economic impact of the Great Depression with visual images reminiscent of the migrant worker photographs taken by still photographer Dorothea Lange.
Henry Fonda delivers a career-defining and Oscar-winning performance as Tom Joad, the ex-con fresh from prison who guides his family across America's damaged heartland to perceived California dreams. Jane Darwell also received accolades for her portrayal of the family matriarch, Ma Joad.John Steinbeck loved the movie and said that Henry Fonda as Tom Joad made him "believe my own words".
The Grapes of Wrath received seven Academy Award nominations and two wins, in addition to honors from the National Board of Review, the New York Film Critics Circle and more.
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Screenplay by Nunnally Johnson
Awards
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Best Actor (nom) John Ford 1940 Academy Best Picture (nom) 1940 Academy Best Screenplay (nom) Nunnally Johnson 1940 Academy Best Supporting Actress Jane Darwell 1940 Academy Best Picture 1940 National Board of Review Best Direction John Ford 1940 NY Film Critics Circle U.S. National Film Registry 1988 Library of Congress |
Best Director John Ford 1940 Academy Best Editing (nom) Robert E. Simpson 1940 Academy Best Sound (nom) E.H. Hansen 1940 Academy Best Acting Henry Fonda 1940 National Board of Review Best Acting Jane Darwell 1940 National Board of Review Best Film John Ford 1940 NY Film Critics Circle 100 Greatest American Movies 1998 American Film Institute |
