Sometimes a Great Notion (Never Give an Inch) (1971)

100% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(522 ratings)

Also known as Never Give an Inch, this film was based on a novel by Ken Kesey. Paul Newman (who also directed) stars as Hank Stamper, the oldest son of an Oregon logging family headed by Henry (Henry Fonda). Hank's half-brother, Leeland (Michael Sarrazin), embittered over Henry's treatment of his… More Also known as Never Give an Inch, this film was based on a novel by Ken Kesey. Paul Newman (who also directed) stars as Hank Stamper, the oldest son of an Oregon logging family headed by Henry (Henry Fonda). Hank's half-brother, Leeland (Michael Sarrazin), embittered over Henry's treatment of his late mother, returns after a ten-year absence to work in the family business. Leeland's presence causes friction with Henry, who resents his prodigal son's hippie mindset, and Hank, who perceives Leeland as a threat to his own position in the family structure. Hank has good reason to feel resentful: before long, his wife, Viv (Lee Remick), has entered into an affair with Leeland. Meanwhile, Henry wages an ongoing battle with the unionized loggers in the region, who threaten reprisals should Henry attempt to continue his business without union help. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 54 min.
Directed By: Paul Newman
Written By: Ken Kesey, John Gay
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1971 Wide
Studio: Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

J. Hoberman, Village Voice
A New Hollywood movie suffused in Old Hollywood values.
Variety Staff, Variety
The result is rather good -- a sort of contemporary 'western' in the timber territory.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
Surprisingly effective.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Newman starts tunneling under the material, coming up with all sorts of things we didn't quite expect, and along the way he proves himself as a director of sympathy and a sort of lyrical restraint.
Stephen Garrett, Time Out New York
It's not a classic, in the sense of being perfectly formed. But the craft work is one of a kind.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Based on Ken Kesey's book, Newman's second film as helmer is not effective or cohesive as the first (Rachel Rachel), but Oregon locations and good acting by Henry Fonda and others compensate for uneasy fit between melodrama and action
Kim Newman, Empire Magazine
Paul Newman directs and stars with a great deal of success in this almost-classic.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
When the film cuts away from the family soap opera dramatics and shows the macho men at work wielding their chainsaws at the logging camp among the giant trees, it has a buzz.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Kesey's 600-plus-page novel would have made a fine six-hour mini-series, and it's a tribute to scenarist Gay that he managed to condense that much material into under two hours.
Lori Hoffman, Atlantic City Weekly
Terrific family drama
, Time Out
Newman's handling of the outdoor scenes, especially those involving work, is -- like his own acting -- restrained but powerfully evocative.
, Film4
Newman handles the emotional drama well and directs one outdoor scene with consummate brilliance.

Read all 12 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Okay but overlong logging drama would have benefitted by being a half hour shorter. Has a fine cast, with Lee Remick giving the best performance even though her screen time is limited, but they don't have enough to work with. It just should have been more involving.

Cast

            Paul Newman as Hank Stamper

            Henry Fonda as Henry Stamper

            Lee Remick as Viv Stamper

            Michael Sarrazin as Leeland Stamper

            Richard Jaeckel as Joe Ben Stamper

            Linda Lawson as Jan Stamper

            Jim Burk as Biggy Newton

            Lee de Broux as Willard Eggleston

            Roy Jenson as Elwood

            Joe Maross as Floyd Evenwrite

            Roy Poole as Jonathan Draeger

            Cliff Potts as Andy

            Dean Smith as Bit part

            Charles Tyner as Les Gibbons

            Roy Benson
            
            Bennie E. Dobbins as Bit part

            Alan R. Gibbs
            
            Mickey Gilbert (II) as Bit part

            Sam Gilman as John

            Terry J. Leonard as Bit part

            Fred Lerner as Bit part

            Gary McLarty as Bit part

            Hal Needham as Bit part

            J.N. Roberts as Bit part

            Fred Zendar as Bit part

            Fred M. Waugh as Bit part

            Dick Hudkins as Bit part
See full cast