The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: A potent drama that is as socially important today as when it was made, The Grapes of Wrath is affecting, moving, and deservedly considered an American classic.
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Cast
as Tom Joad
as Ma Joad
as Casey

as Grandpa Joad
as Rosaharn
as Grandpa Joad

as Rosasharn
as Pa Joad

as Al
as Muley Graves
as Connie Rivers

as Connie Rivers
as Grandma Joad
as Noah

as Uncle John
as Winfield Joad
as Ruth Joad
as Guardian
as Policeman
as Tim Wallace
as Accountant

as Bert

as Davis

as Muley's Son

as Floyd
as Wilkie
as Thomas

as Bill

as Father

as Joe
as Inspector
as Proprietor

as Frank

as Townsman
as Agent

as Spencer
as Conductor

as Mae

as Woman
as Guard

as Clerk

as Motor Cop
as Committeeman
as Gang Leader
as Sheriff

as Deputy

as Gas Station Attendant
as Deputy

as Deputy

as Boy

as State Policeman
as Waitress

as Joe

as Arkansas Storekeeper

as Fred the Truck Driver

as Cop

as Woman in Camp

as Man in Camp

as Deputy/Troublemaker
as New Mexico Border Guard
as Jule

as Frank
as Deputy Driver
as Hungry Girl

as Inspector
as Boy Who Ate
as Floyd's Wife

as Leader
as (unconfirmed) (uncredited)

as Girl in Migrant Camp

as Attendant
News & Interviews for The Grapes of Wrath
Critic Reviews for The Grapes of Wrath
All Critics (43) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (43) | Rotten (0) | DVD (7)
Movies will probably go on improving and broadening themselves; but in any event, The Grapes of Wrath is the most mature picture story that has ever been made, in feeling, in purpose, and in the use of the medium.
Ford's admirers have rightly tended to play this down in favor of his later and more personal westerns, but there's much to admire here in Gregg Toland's sun-beaten photography and Henry Fonda's meticulous performance.
The Grapes of Wrath is possibly the best picture ever made from a so-so book.
It is an absorbing, tense melodrama, starkly realistic, and loaded with social and political fireworks.

Captures the stark plainness of the migrants, stripped to a few possessions, left with innumerable relations and little hope.

The Grapes of Wrath is just about as good as any picture has a right to be; if it were any better, we just wouldn't believe our eyes.

Audience Reviews for The Grapes of Wrath
Ford and Johnson were able to transpose Steinbeck's masterpiece into a splendid film that preserves the book's essence (even with a different, upbeat ending) without infringing the infamous rules of the Hays Code, yet it also feels a bit rushed and lacking in sufficient information (e.g., Noah vanishing without explanation).
Super Reviewer
It can be a bit slow and some scenes are unnecessary, but this is usually the case with all films this old. On the other hand, it's well made and at times very powerful. I especially love the end when Tom Joad makes an important decision with his life. Some scenes are suspenseful (well, 1940s suspenseful) and the characters are interesting for the most part. Probably John Ford's best film.

Super Reviewer
An amazing film. Just as relevant today.
Super Reviewer
The Grapes of Wrath Quotes
Tom Joad: | 'll be all around in the dark - I'll be everywhere. Wherever you can look - wherever there's a fight, so hungry people can eat, I'll be there. |
Tom Joad: | I'll be all around in the dark... I'll be everywhere. Wherever you can look... wherever there's a fight, so hungry people can eat, I'll be there. |
Ma Joad: | Rich fellas come up an' they die, an' their kids ain't no good an' they die out. But we keep a'comin'. We're the people that live. They can't wipe us out; they can't lick us. We'll go on forever, Pa, 'cause we're the people. |
Tom Joad: | Wherever there's a fight so hungry people can eat, I'll be there. |
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