Of Mice and Men poster & wallpaper

Burgess Meredith, Lon Chaney Jr, Betty Field

Truly one of the unsung triumphs of 1939, this heartfelt adaptation of John Steinbeck's morality tale of two itinerant migrant workers seems just as fresh and powerful decades after its release. Lon ...( read more  read more... )Chaney Jr. gives the performance of a lifetime as the sweet yet feeble-minded Lennie, who is befriended by the weary Burgess Meredith. They both would be lost without each other in a rather mixed-up world. Sensitively directed by Lewis Milestone (All Quiet on the Western Front), the film features the first pre-credit sequence in American film history. There's also a nice score by Aaron Copland. --Bill Desowitz

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73% liked it

6,140 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

9 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 47 min.

Directed by: Lewis Milestone

Release Date: December 30, 1939

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DVD Release Date: March 13, 2001

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Stats: 200 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (200)

  • mjgildea
    November 4, 2009
    mjgildea
    This often overlooked version of Of Mice and Men is truly great and seriously underrated. The chemistry between Burgess Meredith's (by the way, it was incredibly weird to see a young Burgess Meredith) George and Lon Chaney Jr's Lenny is truly inspired. Its every bit as heartbreak...( read more)ing as you remember the book to be. The acting's stupendous, as are the direction and photography. Great opening sequence, too. The scene where Candy puts his dog down was irrepressibly sad--almost as bad as the final scene. Of Mice and Men isn't exactly the feel good hit of the summer, but its a damn fine movie.
  • alush1
    February 19, 2008
    alush1
    There have been 3 film adaptations of this Steinbeck masterpiece of humanity and love.
  • DrLappos
    May 16, 2007
    DrLappos
    I'll hug him and pet him.Great film
  • Rossjm
    November 5, 2009
    Rossjm
    A classic film based on the classic novel of the same name. Brilliantly faithful, from the dialogue right down to the very small details Steinbeck meticulously wrote. Yes, there are some changes but these were essential for the transition from book to screen.

    Firstly, Lon Chan...( read more)ey Jr. is the best Lennie you could possibly ask for. He plays him exactly how I imagined the character in the book. A gentle giant with scary capabilties, a deep, dumb tone of voice and a child-like aura surrounding him. Burgess Meredith as George, his short, weaker but saner copnaion is played with great emotion and is pretty much how I pictured him in the novel.

    Beautiful, artistic directon by Lewis Milestone captures the essenece of the book because it avoids ommiting too much of Steinbeck's vital poetic devices needed to carry the story.

    The screenplay is extremely faithful in terms of pacing and actual worded content. The structure isn't messed up and what remains is basically the book in film form, which is fantastic to view.

    This film was up for best picture but obviously stood no chance against Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, The Wizard Of Oz and of course, Gone With The Wind. However, the nomination itself proves the importance and greatness of this film and it is definately one I urge you all to see.
  • SageSlowdive
    August 21, 2009
    SageSlowdive
    Brilliant. Chaney is electrifying.
  • nikojunkie
    July 28, 2009
    nikojunkie
    An almost unbearably grim and hopeless picture with stunning performances and cinematography. Not exactly a feel-good film.
  • dkp069
    June 28, 2009
    dkp069
    Love this story....and this version was the best ever.
  • dianewilmotsmith
    May 7, 2009
    dianewilmotsmith
    EXCELLENT MOVIE. GREAT STORYLINE & ACTING ..GOOD WEEPY.
  • xxxcli213xxx
    December 7, 2008
    xxxcli213xxx
    class movie and book.
  • nicolea17
    September 6, 2008
    nicolea17
    One of the better adaptations of the book... great movie.

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Of Mice and Men Trivia

  • In which film do the main characters dream of getting their own place?  Answer »
  • in what movie feature the characters George and Lennie   Answer »
  • In the movie Of Mice And Men, who ends up shooting Lennie?  Answer »
  • This movies is based on a classic John Steinbeck novel with The Depression as the setting. Gary Sinese (actor, director, co-producer), John Malkowitch (large, simple minded Lenny), also Ray Walston and Sherilyn Fenn. Title of movie is __  Answer »
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