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Historical drama

The Grapes of Wrath (1940): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Grapes of Wrath (1940) movie poster

The Grapes of Wrath is a 1940 historical drama directed by John Ford, starring Henry Fonda, John Carradine and John Qualen. It is partly based on The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck and Robert DeMott. It runs 2 hours 9 minutes and earned $7,304 worldwide. It won 2 Oscars, including Actress in a Supporting Role and Directing. Critics gave it 96 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$7.3K
Oscars won
2
Metascore
96
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The Grapes of Wrath (1940) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 9m (129 min)
Director
John Ford
Genres
Drama , History
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Grapes of Wrath About?

The premise of The Grapes of Wrath without spoilers, adapted from The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck and Robert DeMott. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During the devastating Dust Bowl, the Joad family is forced to abandon their Oklahoma farm and travel to California in search of work and a better life. Led by Tom Joad (Henry Fonda), they join countless other migrant families facing immense hardship and heartbreak along the way. Upon reaching California, they discover the reality is far from the promised land, confronting poverty, exploitation, and despair. Despite these challenges, the family’s resilience and unwavering determination help them persevere.

The Grapes of Wrath Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • great depression
  • based on novel
  • national film registry
  • bakersfield california
  • penny candy
  • hunger
  • kerosene lamp
  • road movie
  • works progress administration
  • capitalism
  • colorado river bridge
  • cotton picking
+38 more
  • eviction
  • family relationships
  • car trouble
  • grandfather
  • marriage
  • california
  • migrant worker
  • grandmother
  • migration
  • migrant camp
  • truck stop
  • farm
  • ex preacher
  • title based on the bible
  • new deal
  • mother son relationship
  • father son relationship
  • earring
  • brother sister relationship
  • brother brother relationship
  • transient
  • sharecropper
  • san joaquin valley
  • burial
  • route 66
  • farmer
  • pregnancy
  • 1930s
  • ex convict
  • poverty
  • dust bowl
  • oklahoma
  • pulitzer prize source
  • fugitive
  • company housing
  • afi
  • texas panhandle
  • cherokee county oklahoma
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Cast & crew

The Grapes of Wrath Cast

Henry Fonda leads the cast, with John Carradine and John Qualen. Directed by John Ford; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from John Ford

More films directed by John Ford, best-rated first: The Searchers, Young Mr. Lincoln, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and Stagecoach.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Grapes of Wrath Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Grapes of Wrath 96 on Metacritic.

Plot

The Grapes of Wrath Plot Summary

What happens in The Grapes of Wrath from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As a result of Homer’s unfortunate tumble down the stairs, he finds himself confined to bed rest, while Marge, seeking vengeance on Bart, assigns him the dreaded task of cleaning his room. In the midst of this chore, Bart stumbles upon an old cherry bomb, and with a sparkle of mischief in his eye, he decides to flush it down the school toilet—totally unaware of the impending chaos this will cause, particularly for Principal Skinner’s mother, Agnes Skinner, who just happens to be in the adjacent girls’ restroom. The ensuing explosion sends Agnes flying, igniting Principal Skinner’s fury and prompting him to devise an excessive punishment for Bart.

Full summary

The whole story of The Grapes of Wrath, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Grapes of Wrath Box Office

The Grapes of Wrath grossed $7,304 worldwide.

1940 box office

Worldwide gross

$7.3K

International
$7.3K
Awards

The Grapes of Wrath Awards & Nominations

The Grapes of Wrath won 2 Oscars, including Actress in a Supporting Role and Directing.

2 wins7 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

The Grapes of Wrath Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 1 trailer and 3 featurettes.

THE GRAPES OF WRATH ('40) - Original Trailer
  • Featurette The Grapes of Wrath' | Critics' Picks | The New York Times
  • Featurette Danny Glover Announces THE GRAPES OF WRATH - AFI Movie Club
  • Featurette Jane and Peter Fonda talk about their father, Henry Fonda, in THE GRAPES OF WRATH - AFI Movie Club
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Grapes of Wrath?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What causes Bart to be punished with a student exchange program?

Cars

Cars in The Grapes of Wrath

42 cars on screen, including the 1926 Hudson Super Six and the 1930 Buick Series 60.

All 42 cars
  • 1926 Hudson Super Six in The Grapes of Wrath 1926 Hudson Super Six Featured role
  • 1930 Buick Series 60 in The Grapes of Wrath 1930 Buick Series 60 Important role
  • 1938 GMC T-Series in The Grapes of Wrath 1938 GMC T-Series Important role
  • Caterpillar RD-7 in The Grapes of Wrath Caterpillar RD-7 Minor role
Details

The Grapes of Wrath Also Known As

29 alternative titles, including “怒火之花” and “De druiven der gramschap”.

Also known as
  • 怒火之花
  • De druiven der gramschap
  • Les raisins de la colère
  • 분노의 포도
  • Las uvas de la ira
  • Viñas de ira
  • Früchte des Zorns
  • Furore
  • Гроздья гнева
  • Gazap Üzümleri
  • 愤怒的葡萄
  • Vredens druvor
+17 more
  • Τα Σταφύλια της Οργής
  • As Vinhas da Ira
  • El raïm de la ira
  • Érik a gyümölcs
  • ענבי זעם
  • Vihan hedelmät
  • Vredens druer
  • 怒りの葡萄
  • Гневът на мравките
  • Grona gniewu
  • Грона гніву
  • Hrozny hněvu
  • Las viñas de la ira
  • Sadovi jeze
  • 憤怒的葡萄
  • خوشه‌های خشم
  • Fructele mâniei

Seen The Grapes of Wrath?

FAQ

The Grapes of Wrath FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of The Grapes of Wrath, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Grapes of Wrath?

The Grapes of Wrath runs 2 hours 9 minutes (129 minutes).

When was The Grapes of Wrath released?

The Grapes of Wrath was released on March 15, 1940.

Who directed The Grapes of Wrath?

The Grapes of Wrath was directed by John Ford.

More films by John Ford

Who is in the cast of The Grapes of Wrath?

The Grapes of Wrath stars Henry Fonda, John Carradine and John Qualen, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Grapes of Wrath make at the box office?

The Grapes of Wrath grossed $7,304 worldwide.

How is The Grapes of Wrath rated?

The Grapes of Wrath has 96 on Metacritic and 78% on TMDB.

Is The Grapes of Wrath based on a book?

Yes. The Grapes of Wrath is partly adapted from The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck and Robert DeMott.

What awards did The Grapes of Wrath win?

The Grapes of Wrath won 2 awards from 7 nominations, including Actress in a Supporting Role at the Oscars 1941.

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