A great film which brings into perspective america's notion of "the land of the free".

"The Grapes of Wrath is flawed, but it captures that shiver of panic that grips anyone for whom the money for the next meal is unknown." - Chuck Bowen

It's rather uplifting, the film looks great, and Fonda is a likeable leading man, but some books should be left alone, "riiiight pa ?", lol.

I so wanted to give this historically important and socially relevant film a "100", but I just can't. Ford's direction is mediocre at best and frequently distracts the viewer from the excellent story and acting. Still, once one accepts that scenes will be oddly edited, lit, and framed, this is a film that everyone should see. You owe it to your country to know what life could be like if all social safety nets were removed.

Possibly the best thing Ford ever made. In keeping with the subject matter, it's more down-to-earth than the usual Hollywood drama from that period. Nuanced and very touching. Fabulously directed and shot by John Ford.

Overall, I really liked it. The performances are top-notch, the lighting and cinematography are beyond solid, and the themes are subdued enough as to not come across as heavy-handed. What bothered me is that even though I haven't read the book, I still felt like it was just going through the motions.

The performances are great, especially from Fonda, Carradine, and Darwell. I like the novel, but for some reason the same ideas feel a bit manipulative in the film.

Beautifully shot and engaging. Still it's simplistic from the romanticised view of these characters, to how it doesn't show them labouring away (it all feels glossed over, very Hollywood), to the irritating homespun wisdom (the final speech is nauseating). It's kind of silly too with its presentation of authority being cartoonishly over the top whilst its praise of the Government is absurd. I can't honestly call it bad, but I'm certainly not impressed. I'd very much like to read the novel.

John Ford, who I'd always viewed as a somewhat conservative American director, makes the case for some "progressive" socialist thinking... As such, the point of this movie should be as poignant for Americans these years, as it was in the aftermath of The Great Depression.

Read the book in High School, watched the movie in class...This thing just doesn't end.

Required reading in High School for most people, a very moving story for those who pay attention. This movie is more than the monoloogue at the end. A classic adaptation of the Steibeck novel.

Strong story with great acting by Fonda

Too simplistic to be really effective. But it's undeniably well shot and acted, and at times touching.

Not a faithful adaptation, but Ford makes his own movie out of the story, and it's a good one.

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