Written on the Wind (1956)

81% of critics liked it
(21 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(3,070 ratings)

Perhaps the definitive Douglas Sirk production, Written on the Wind is based on the novel by Robert Wilder. The story revolves around the Hadleys, a wealthy but thoroughly debauched family of Texas oil millionaires. Robert Stack is self-destructive alcoholic Kyle Hadley, while Dorothy Malone won an… More Perhaps the definitive Douglas Sirk production, Written on the Wind is based on the novel by Robert Wilder. The story revolves around the Hadleys, a wealthy but thoroughly debauched family of Texas oil millionaires. Robert Stack is self-destructive alcoholic Kyle Hadley, while Dorothy Malone won an Oscar for her equally vivid potrayal of Kyle's nymphomaniac sister Marylee. Kyle manages to win beautiful, level-headed advertising executive Lucy Moore (Lauren Bacall) away from his best friend, virile Hadley Oil geologist Mitch Wayne (Rock Hudson), but Lucy soon comes to regret her decision to marry into the hell-on-earth Hadley family. When Lucy becomes pregnant, Kyle assumes that Mitch is the father, leading to a maelstrom of fever-pitch emotionalism and stark tragedy. Before he quite knows what is happening, Mitch is on trial for murder; the one person who can clear him is the craven Marylee, who demands Mitch's sexual favors as the price for her testimony. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Douglas Sirk
Written By: George Zuckerman
Genres: Drama, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1957 Wide
On DVD: Aug 21, 2001
Studio: Universal International Pictur

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
In countless ways visible and invisible, Sirk's sly subversion skewed American popular culture, and helped launch a new age of irony.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
A continuous aria of need, despair, self-loathing. It says 'Money can't buy you happiness' in 72-point all-caps Futura Bold.
Gabe Leibowitz, Film and Felt
It has far more strengths than weaknesses, but I can't put it close to his twin masterpieces All That Heaven Allows and Imitation of Life.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A spellbinding twisty story teeming with sexual frustration and whatnot.
Steve Crum, Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers
Big screen sudser with Hudson and Bacall leading the tears.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Works like gangbusters, with its irresistibly corny opening theme song, larger-than-life performances, sweeping hyper-romance, perfectly-timed bombshells of plot twists.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
On the surface, it's a sopa opera, a small-town melodrama about a troubled and powerful Texan clan, but it's Douglas Sirk's thematic critique, ironic approach and visual style that makes this Oscar-winning film stand out from the rest of the bunch

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

First L

An advertising secretary (Lauren Bacall) gets swept up in a love triangle amonst two friends, one a millionaire playboy (Robert Stack) and the other is an employee of the millionaire father's company (Rock Hudson). It is apparent the millionaire playboy is something of a drinker… More
An advertising secretary (Lauren Bacall) gets swept up in a love triangle amonst two friends, one a millionaire playboy (Robert Stack) and the other is an employee of the millionaire father's company (Rock Hudson). It is apparent the millionaire playboy is something of a drinker but it's his very vulnerability that lures the secretary away to fall in love with him. Soon, the two are married and it's the friend who's stuck carrying the torch for her. Meanwhile, he's being pursued by the millionaire's sister, who happens to be the town floozy (and someone he wants nothing to do with). It's the stuff of soap operas and melodramas, but this fifties movie with it's fifties sensibilities has a lot of charm to it. The sister, Dorothy Malone, won an oscar for her over-the-top she-vixen role, and Robert Stack was nominated for his portrayal as well. The story moves briskly albeit predictably.
Bruce B

Written on the wind This is one of the true Classic's. It was recommended by my true friend raimoyna, as always she picks the best in Classic Films. This one here stars the True Rock, Rock Hudson that is along with Lauren Bacall, Dorothy Malone, and Robert Stack. Robert Stack… More
Written on the wind This is one of the true Classic's. It was recommended by my true friend raimoyna, as always she picks the best in Classic Films. This one here stars the True Rock, Rock Hudson that is along with Lauren Bacall, Dorothy Malone, and Robert Stack. Robert Stack plays the part of a Rich Oil Tycoon's son, who runs around doing what ever he wants when he wants, and Rock Hudson his best friend is always cleaning up the mess. Lucy ( Lauren Bacal) appears and Rock falls instantly in love with her, Well Robert Stack see's this and stars stalking Lauren, until he maries her. All along Rock is sill in Love with her. Mean while Dorothy Malone, plays Robert Stacks Nympho Sister and wants the Rock, but Rock will have no part of it. This movie is part of the Criterion Collection. All in All its worth 4 stars.
jay n

superior soap.
Michael G

So over the top and melodramatic it's scary. The drunken Robert Stack makes the movie, expecially towards the end when he falls off the wagon and goes in search of cheap corn liquor. Lauren Bacall seems a little out of place, but overall it works.
Linda K

The specialization of Douglas Sirk for melodramatic films is really something i didnt expect to love. Maybe the charm or the good look of Rock Hudson that just transported me to this love story which i find amazingly cheesy, but this film is good. Although maybe not so much for the… More
The specialization of Douglas Sirk for melodramatic films is really something i didnt expect to love. Maybe the charm or the good look of Rock Hudson that just transported me to this love story which i find amazingly cheesy, but this film is good. Although maybe not so much for the gentlemens.

Cast

            Rock Hudson as Mitch Wayne

            Lauren Bacall as Lucy Moore Hadley

            Robert Stack as Kyle Hadley

            Dorothy Malone as Marylee Hadley

            Robert Keith as Jasper Hadley

            Grant Williams as Biff Miley

            Robert J. Wilke as Dan Willis

            Edward Platt as Dr. Paul Cochrane

            Harry Shannon as Hoak Wayne

            John Larch as Roy Carter

            Maide Norman as Bertha

            William Schallert as Reporter

            Joanne Moore Jordan as Brunette

            Dani Crayne as Blonde

            Dorothy Porter as Secretary

            Robert Brubaker as Hotel Manager

            Kevin Corcoran as Boy in Drugstore

            George de Normand
            
            Roy E. Glenn Sr. as Sam

            Joseph Granby as R.J. Courtney

            Don C. Harvey as Taxi Starter

            Phil Harvey
            
            Jane Howard
            
            Robert Lyden as Kyle as a Boy

            Robert Malcolm Young as Hotel Proprietor

            Susan Odin as Marylee as a Girl

            Cynthia Patrick as Waitress

            Floyd Simmons as Beer Drinker

            Gail Bonney as Hotel Floorlady

            Carl Christian as Bartender

            Bert Holland as Court Clerk

            Glen Kramer
            
            Robert Winans as Mitch as a Boy

            Paul Bradley as Maitre d'
See full cast