#23 The Grapes of Wrath

A.F.I. Ranking: 23

Director: John Ford

Starring: Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, John Carradine, Charley Grapwin

Release Year: 1940

Brief Synopsis: Tom Joad (Henry Fonda) has just been released from prison after a four year stay for commiting murder. When Joad gets back to his home in Oklahoma, he discovers his family has fallen on some tough times, so the family decides to pack-up all their belongings and drive to California where they have been promised there are jobs. Upon arriving to California, the Joad Family discovers that jobs are a lot harder to come by then they thought. There struggles threaten their safety as well as their family bonds.

My Thoughts: I am torn at what rating to give this movie. This movie is no doubt powerful. It is an interesting look at a dark time in American history, and this movie makes you realize how quickly and easily history can repeat itself. Henry Fonda gives an Acadamey Award winning performance in this film. In this film Fonda gives a very powerful speech that would stir up emotions in anybody, and even though this movie is so depressing it gives you hope, and even manages to throw in some funny one-liners. There are two downfalls to this movie. One, this movie is dark, and I don’t mean in it’s mood. All of the scenes are dark and dreary, that combined with my second downfall, it’s over 2 hour length, always makes me fall asleep when I watch this movie.

This movie is definitly hard to get through (I’ve seen it three times and have fallen asleep every time), but is definitly something you should see once in your life just to see a part of cinematic history and Henry Fonda’s dreamy, crystal eyes. “Maybe there ain't no sin and there ain't no virtue, they's just what people does. Some things folks do is nice and some ain't so nice, and that's all any man's got a right to say.”

Rating: List Worthy!