All My Sons (1948)

82% of users liked it
(223 ratings)

Based on the play by Arthur Miller, All My Sons is a drama of man's duty to man that retains a potent impact. Edward G. Robinson plays a manufacturer of parts for World War II airplanes who lives a full, satisfied life in a small town. But his idyll is shattered by the arrival of the fiancée of the… More Based on the play by Arthur Miller, All My Sons is a drama of man's duty to man that retains a potent impact. Edward G. Robinson plays a manufacturer of parts for World War II airplanes who lives a full, satisfied life in a small town. But his idyll is shattered by the arrival of the fiancée of the manufacturer's oldest son, who is missing in action. The younger son begins to fall in love with the girl, but her own brother is against the relationship because, he claims, the manufacturer and his partner delivered defective parts to the war effort. The younger son (Burt Lancaster) investigates, even going as far as visit his father's former partner in jail, and discovers the awful truth -- that his father's corrupt actions were responsible for both the partner's incarceration and the deaths of 21 U.S. pilots. The tale ends with a bitter and tragic confrontation that drives home the message that we are all our brother's keepers, and we cannot push aside that responsibility for personal gain. Thoughtful and intense performances by Robinson and Lancaster bring humanity and life to this powerful theme. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Irving Reis
Written By: Chester Erskine
Genres: Drama, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: May 1, 1948 Wide

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
There are enough social conscience talking points to fill the airwaves of talk radio for a season of broadcasts.

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

The son of a small town business man discovers that his loving, devoted father may have sold defective aircraft parts to the U.S. military during WWII. A nice vehicle for showcasing the talents of both Burt Lancaster (the son) and Edward G. Robinson (the father). This post-war… More
The son of a small town business man discovers that his loving, devoted father may have sold defective aircraft parts to the U.S. military during WWII. A nice vehicle for showcasing the talents of both Burt Lancaster (the son) and Edward G. Robinson (the father). This post-war morality tale deals with the impact that our decisions and choices have on others. A good film but not one that's exceptionally memorable.
Keith M

The Great Burt Lancaster and the great Edward Robinson together in a movie written by Arthur Miller, what else do you really need to know. The film started off a little slow, but once it got going it had me hooked and wanting to see where this story would go. One of my favorite… More
The Great Burt Lancaster and the great Edward Robinson together in a movie written by Arthur Miller, what else do you really need to know. The film started off a little slow, but once it got going it had me hooked and wanting to see where this story would go. One of my favorite monlouges is by Edward G. in Double Indemnity, and he gives another great one in this as well. You give this guy 10 pages to read its almost guarentee he will knock it out the park. Its like giving the ball to Bird at the end of the game, you know the outcome, but you get excited waiting for it.

Cast

            Edward G. Robinson as Joe Keller

            Burt Lancaster as Chris Keller

            Mady Christians as Kate Keller

            Howard Duff as George Deever

            Frank Conroy as Herbert Deever

            Louisa Horton as Ann Deever

            Lloyd Gough as Jim Bayliss

            Arlene Francis as Sue Bayliss

            Henry Morgan as Frank Lubey

            Elisabeth Fraser as Lydia Lubey

            Helen Brown as Mrs. Hamilton

            Pat Flaherty as Bartender

            Jack Gargan as Workman

            Harry Harvey as Judge

            Jerry Hausner as Halliday

            William Johnstone as Attorney

            Frank Kreig as Foreman

            Therese Lyon as Minnie

            Charles Meredith as Ellsworth

            Al Murphy as Tom

            William H. Ruhl as Ed

            Walter Soderling as Charles

            George Sorel as Headwaiter

            Herb Vigran as Wertheimer

            Joe Kerr as Norton

            George Slocum as Attendant

            Victor Zimmerman as Attendant

            Herbert Haywood as McGraw

            Richard La Marr as Workman
See full cast

All My Sons (1948)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Randy T

Keith M

Cast