Tropic of Cancer (1970): Cast & Plot
Tropic of Cancer is a 1970 romantic drama directed by Joseph Strick, starring Rip Torn as Henry Miller, Henry Miller and Ellen Burstyn. It runs 1 hour 27 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 27m (87 min)
- Director
- Joseph Strick
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Paramount Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Tropic of Cancer About?
The premise of Tropic of Cancer without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
The film follows expatriate American writer Henry Miller as he navigates the bohemian nightlife of 1930s Paris, engaging in a succession of passionate affairs while struggling to define his literary voice. Its candid portrayal of sexuality and artistic ambition sparked scandal when the novel debuted, and the adaptation now carries a 17+ rating.
Tropic of Cancer Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- female full frontal nudity
- female topless nudity
- female nudity
- bohemian life
- sexual disease
- sexual initiation
- vignette form
- narrator
- turd
- english teacher
- prostitute
- nudity
+38 more Show fewer
- based on true story
- sleeping on the floor
- american
- no opening credits
- female frontal nudity
- pubic hair
- female pubic hair
- herald tribune
- asylum
- proofreader
- writer
- dijon
- bordello
- farewell
- train
- taxi
- newspaper
- venereal disease
- gonorrhea
- bar
- pernod
- offscreen narration
- marital separation
- husband wife relationship
- borrowing money
- freeloading
- dinner
- false pregnancy
- girlfriend
- insane asylum
- bidet
- newspaper ad
- schoolboy
- schoolteacher
- new job
- newspaper man
- paris france
- inspector
Tropic of Cancer Cast & Characters
Rip Torn leads the cast as Henry Miller, with Henry Miller as Spectator and Ellen Burstyn as Mona (uncredited). Directed by Joseph Strick; 34 actors are credited in all.
- Director Joseph Strick
-
Rip Torn as Henry Miller - Henry Miller as Spectator
-
Ellen Burstyn as Mona (uncredited) - Bernard Taine as Dijon Schoolboy
Also Starring in Tropic of Cancer
· 30 more- James T. Callahan Fillmore
- Laurence Lignières Ginette
- Elliott Sullivan Peckover
- Phil Brown Van Norden
- Roger Lumont Cafe Patron
- Magali Noël The Princess
- Sabine Sun Elsa
- Raymond Gérôme Monsieur LeCenseur
- Ginette Leclerc Madame Hamilton
- Sheila Steafel Tania
- Guy Marly Dog Lover
- Gisèle Grimm Germaine
- Eléonore Hirt Yvette
- Steve Eckardt Cronstadt
- Nadia Vasil Madame Hamilton's Girl
- George Birt Sylvester
Show all 34 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Philippe Gasté Train Passenger
- Françoise Lugagne Iréne
- Dominique Delpierre Vite Cheri
- Edward Marcus Boris
- Catherine d'Hugues Madame Hamilton's Girl
- David Baur Carl
- Gladys Berry American Lady
- Stuart De Silva Ranji
- Jo Lefevre Accordianist
- Christine Oscar Helen
- Loryanne Madame Hamilton's Girl
- Liane Saunier Madame Hamilton's Girl
- Yves Rannon Dijon Schoolboy
- Lionel Bejian Dijon Schoolboy
More from Joseph Strick
More films directed by Joseph Strick: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, Road Movie, Interviews with My Lai Veterans and Ulysses.
Tropic of Cancer Plot Summary
What happens in Tropic of Cancer from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Henry Miller, a writer from New York whose money has run out, lives in Paris on the generosity of American friends who give him food and a space to sleep. His wife Mona crosses the Atlantic to see him, but soon leaves when she realises the hopelessness of his position. When he does wheedle a bit of cash, he spends it on drink and women. He finds a job, providing bed and board though no pay, as a teacher of English at a boys’ school in Dijon, but soon leaves. Another opportunity is to mentor a wealthy young Indian, which again does not last. Finally he lands a proper job with an American newspaper and becomes friends with another expatriate, Fillmore.
Full summary
The whole story of Tropic of Cancer, scene by scene
Tropic of Cancer Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Tropic of Cancer.
How Well Do You Know Tropic of Cancer?
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
In which city does Henry Miller live at the start of the film?
Cars in Tropic of Cancer
48 cars on screen, including the Peugeot 403 and the 1970 Renault 16.
-
Peugeot 403 Important role -
1970 Renault 16 Important role -
1968 Citroën ID 19 Ambulance Minor role -
1967 Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior Background role
Seen Tropic of Cancer?
Movies Like Tropic of Cancer
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Tropic of Cancer, Quiet Days in Clichy and Tropical Ecstasy.
Tropic of Cancer FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Tropic of Cancer, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Tropic of Cancer?
Tropic of Cancer runs 1 hour 27 minutes (87 minutes).
When was Tropic of Cancer released?
Tropic of Cancer was released on February 27, 1970.
Who directed Tropic of Cancer?
Tropic of Cancer was directed by Joseph Strick.
More films by Joseph Strick Who is in the cast of Tropic of Cancer?
Tropic of Cancer stars Rip Torn as Henry Miller, Henry Miller as Spectator and Ellen Burstyn as Mona (uncredited), among 34 credited actors.
Does Tropic of Cancer have a post-credit scene?
No. Tropic of Cancer has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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