The Pursuit of Happiness (1971): Cast & Plot
The Pursuit of Happiness is a 1971 drama directed by Robert Mulligan, starring Michael Sarrazin as William Popper, Ruth White and Sada Thompson. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 33m (93 min)
- Director
- Robert Mulligan
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Talent Associates
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Pursuit of Happiness About?
The premise of The Pursuit of Happiness without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
William Popper, the son of a stockbroker, is profoundly disillusioned with the system that raised him. After accidentally hitting a pedestrian with his car, he could prove his innocence, yet his contempt drives him to accept a manslaughter sentence, using the punishment as a statement against the world he despises.
The Pursuit of Happiness Themes & Keywords
· 36 tags- prison
- new york city
- on the run
- escape
- college student
- murder
- law
- alienation
- accident
- prisoner
- based on novel
- female rear nudity
+24 more Show fewer
- skinny dipping
- male nudity
- homophobia
- gay slur
- vehicular manslaughter
- car accident
- mansion
- social commentary
- privilege
- naivete
- matriarch
- knifing
- justice system
- idealist
- idealism
- establishment
- escape from custody
- manslaughter
- courtroom
- boyfriend girlfriend relationship
- automobile accident
- scantily clad female
- woman in a shower
- female nudity
The Pursuit of Happiness Cast & Characters
Michael Sarrazin leads the cast as William Popper, with Ruth White as Mrs. Popper and Sada Thompson as Ruth Lawrence. Directed by Robert Mulligan; 18 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Robert Mulligan
- Michael Sarrazin as William Popper
- Ruth White as Mrs. Popper
- Sada Thompson as Ruth Lawrence
-
Barbara Hershey as Jane Kauffman
Also Starring in The Pursuit of Happiness
· 14 more- Ralph Waite Detective Cromie
- E.G. Marshall Daniel Lawrence
- Arthur Hill John Popper
- Peter White Terence Lawrence
- Robert Klein Melvin Lasher
- Maya Kenin Mrs. Conroy
- Barnard Hughes Judge Vogel
- David Doyle James Moran
- Gilbert Lewis Convict George Wilson
- Albert Henderson Convict McCardle
- Charles Durning 2nd Guard
- William Devane Pilot
- Tom Rosqui District Attorney Keller
- Ed Kovens 1st Guard
More from Robert Mulligan
More films directed by Robert Mulligan, best-rated first: To Kill a Mockingbird, The Man in the Moon, The Great Impostor and The Other.
The Pursuit of Happiness Plot Summary
What happens in The Pursuit of Happiness 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
William Popper [Michael Sarrazin] is a college student who, urged by his aunt Ruth [Ruth White], decides to drive to Connecticut to visit his father rather than attend a talk with his girlfriend Jane [Barbara Hershey] that evening. He launches into the journey in a small sports car, the night thick with rain and the windshield smeared with spray, making visibility scarce as he threads his way out of the city after sunset. In the chaos of hurried traffic, he accidentally strikes a woman who is crossing between parked cars in the urban maze. With no witnesses around, he does the responsible thing and turns himself in to the police.
Full summary
The whole story of The Pursuit of Happiness, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Pursuit of Happiness?
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
- 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
- Question 10: not answered
What prompts William Popper to drive to Connecticut instead of meeting his girlfriend Jane that evening?
Cars in The Pursuit of Happiness
50 cars on screen, including the 1961 Ford Galaxie and the 1963 MG B.
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1961 Ford Galaxie Important role -
1963 MG B Important role -
1969 Chevrolet Biscayne Minor role -
1968 Dodge Coronet Minor role
The Pursuit of Happiness Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “En busca de la felicidad” and “Fünf Finger geben eine Faust”.
- Also known as
-
- En busca de la felicidad
- Fünf Finger geben eine Faust
- O Caminho da Felicidade
Seen The Pursuit of Happiness?
Movies Like The Pursuit of Happiness
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including In Pursuit, Happiness and Manslaughter.
The Pursuit of Happiness FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Pursuit of Happiness, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Pursuit of Happiness?
The Pursuit of Happiness runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).
When was The Pursuit of Happiness released?
The Pursuit of Happiness was released on February 23, 1971.
Who directed The Pursuit of Happiness?
The Pursuit of Happiness was directed by Robert Mulligan.
More films by Robert Mulligan Who is in the cast of The Pursuit of Happiness?
The Pursuit of Happiness stars Michael Sarrazin as William Popper, Ruth White as Mrs. Popper and Sada Thompson as Ruth Lawrence, among 18 credited actors.
Does The Pursuit of Happiness have a post-credit scene?
No. The Pursuit of Happiness has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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