Review of The Grapes of Wrath (1940) by Leighton T — 27 Aug 2009

Terrific adaption of Steinbeck's novel. Henry Fonda and Jane Darwell give emotionally deep, heartfelt performances (their two final speeches encompass what is the soul of the film). The tone of the novel is kept as it shows that struggle is struggle, even if injustice is involved, and you have to bend and mold to whatever comes along, no matter what is getting in your way... and knowing that family is the most important thing through it all. Ford's direction is subtle, but sometimes you can tell he's really trying to show you something. The adapted script was masterfully done, and not just Fonda and Darwell, but the whole cast is terrific and play their parts extremely well.

It's a decent into the hell of the poor during Depression-era America and while it's mostly a sad film, it's spirit is triumphant.