Arthur (1981): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Arthur is a 1981 romantic comedy directed by Steve Gordon, starring Liza Minnelli and Dudley Moore. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes and earned $95.5 million worldwide. It won 2 Oscars, including Actor in a Supporting Role and Music (Original Song). Critics gave it 27% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 37m (97 min)
- Director
- Steve Gordon
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Orion Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Arthur About?
The premise of Arthur without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A charming and wealthy playboy named Arthur Bach finds himself facing a difficult decision: marry for money as stipulated in his late father’s will, or pursue a genuine connection with a captivating woman. Guided by his pragmatic nanny, Hobson, and drawn to a spirited individual, Arthur grapples with questions of love, family obligations, and discovering who he truly is. He must ultimately choose between financial security and following his heart.
Arthur Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- drunkenness
- heir
- love
- character name as title
- blockbuster
- butler
- inheritance
- class differences
- toy train set
- alcoholism
- alcoholic
- wealth
+38 more Show fewer
- diner
- arranged marriage
- marriage proposal
- cult film
- strong female protagonist
- forename as title
- british car
- rolls royce silver wraith
- laughing in a car
- writer director
- romantic comedy
- engagement party
- feel good romance
- love across social classes
- disinheritance
- chauffeur
- death
- family relationships
- friendship
- grandmother grandson relationship
- prostitution
- canceled wedding
- aspiring actress
- surrogate father
- jilted bride
- dying friend
- death of a friend
- man in a bubble bath
- poverty
- rolls royce the car
- convertible car
- packard the car
- spandex disco jeans
- spandex disco pants
- millionaire
- shoplifting
- pez dispenser
- master servant relationship
Arthur Cast
Liza Minnelli leads the cast, with Dudley Moore. Directed by Steve Gordon.
- Director Steve Gordon
Arthur Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Arthur 27% on Rotten Tomatoes and 69 on Metacritic.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 27% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 44%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 69 Metascore
User score 7.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 73% User score
See on TMDB
Arthur Plot Summary
What happens in Arthur from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Arthur Bach is a wealthy socialite, hailing from a notable English family entrenched in immense financial power, residing in the vibrant New York City. Despite the esteem his family has amassed, Arthur is more of an embarrassment than a pride. His extravagant lifestyle, rife with escapades involving women, including prostitutes, excessive drinking, and repeated public displays of drunkenness, adds fuel to the tabloids that revel in documenting his antics.
Full summary
The whole story of Arthur, scene by scene
Arthur Box Office
Arthur grossed $95.5 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$95.5M
- US & Canada
- $95.5M
Arthur Awards & Nominations
Arthur won 2 Oscars, including Actor in a Supporting Role and Music (Original Song). Its biggest night was the Oscars 1982, with 2 wins from 4 nominations.
2 wins11 nominations3 ceremonies
-
Oscars 1982 2 wins · 4 nominations- Won Actor in a Supporting Role – John Gielgud
- Won Music (Original Song) – Arthur Falko
- Nominated Actor in a Leading Role – Dudley Moore
- Nominated Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen) – Steve Gordon
-
Golden Globes 1982 5 nominations- Nominated Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
- Nominated Best Original Song
- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (Actor) – Dudley Moore
- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (Actress) – Liza Minnelli
- Nominated Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Comedy or Musical (Supporting Actor) – John Gielgud
-
BAFTA 1982 2 nominations- Nominated Best Actor in a Supporting Role – John Gielgud
- Nominated Best Original Music – Burt Bacharach
Arthur Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Arthur.
How Well Do You Know Arthur?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
What is Arthur Bach's family background?
Cars in Arthur
12 cars on screen, including the 1937 Packard One-Twenty and the 1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith.
-
1937 Packard One-Twenty Important role -
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Important role -
1974 Checker Taxicab Minor role -
1977 Flxible 53102-6-1 Minor role
Arthur Also Known As
17 alternative titles, including “亚瑟” and “阔少爷”.
- Also known as
-
- 亚瑟
- 阔少爷
- Arturo
- Arthur - O Milionário Sedutor
- Arthur, el soltero de oro
- Артур
- Arthur: Skidefuld og på rulleskøjter
- Arthur - Kein Kind von Traurigkeit
- ארתור
- Artur
- Артър
- En brud för mycket
+5 more Show fewer
- 미스터 아더
- 二八佳人花公子
- Arthur, o Milionário Sedutor
- Arthur, el solter d’or
- Άρθουρ, αυτός ο καταπληκτικός κύριος 10
Seen Arthur?
Movies Like Arthur
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Arthur, Arthur 2: On the Rocks and The End of Arthur’s Marriage.
-
Arthur 2011 -
Arthur 2: On the Rocks 1988 -
The End of Arthur’s Marriage 1965 -
Arthur’s Whisky 2024 -
Stealing Harvard 2002 -
The Bachelor Father 1931 -
The Grass Is Greener 1960 -
Arthur the King 1985 -
Hobson’s Choice 1954 -
Cheerful Weather for the Wedding 2012 -
Arthur’s Hallowed Ground 1984 -
Bachelor’s Affairs 1932
Arthur FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Arthur, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Arthur?
Arthur runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).
When was Arthur released?
Arthur was released on July 17, 1981.
Who directed Arthur?
Arthur was directed by Steve Gordon.
More films by Steve Gordon Who is in the cast of Arthur?
Arthur stars Liza Minnelli and Dudley Moore.
How much did Arthur make at the box office?
Arthur grossed $95.5 million worldwide.
How is Arthur rated?
Arthur has 27% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.
What awards did Arthur win?
Arthur won 2 awards from 11 nominations, including Actor in a Supporting Role at the Oscars 1982.
Does Arthur have a post-credit scene?
No. Arthur has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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