The Grapes of Wrath

Screening on Film

Directed by John Ford.
With Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, John Carradine.
US, 1940, 35mm, black & white, 129 min.

Nobody needs to be a John Ford specialist to adore this abiding, brilliant movie from the John Steinbeck novel, among the best screen adaptations ever. Perfect casting: Henry Fonda as Tom Joad, Jane Darwell as "Ma"Joad, John Carradine as the Preacher Casey, John Qualen as Muley. Who watching this film doesn’t get completely caught up in the plight of the Joads, that well-meaning Oakie family trying to find the American dream as migrants in California? Here, Ford is the ultimate populist, and his deep love for common folk shines bright. "You can’t stop the people. . . The people keep a' comin’. . ."