Of Mice and Men

Name: Of Mice and Men
Genre: Drama
Released: January 12, 1940
Duration: 106 min
Rating: 89
Cast: Betty Field, Bob Steele, Burgess Meredith, Charles Bickford, Granville Bates

1940

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Universal acclaim based on 7 Critic Reviews

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Movie Details & Credits

United Artists | Release Date: January 12, 1940 | Approved

Starring: Betty Field, Bob Steele, Burgess Meredith, Charles Bickford, Granville Bates, Leigh Whipper, Lon Chaney Jr., Noah Beery Jr., Oscar O'Shea, Roman Bohnen

Summary: Two itinerant migrant workers, one mentally disabled and the other his carer, take jobs as ranch hands during the Great Depression to fulfill their shared dream of owning their own ranch.

Director: Lewis Milestone

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Approved

Runtime: 106 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Mick LaSalle

This screen version, directed by Lewis Milestone, is the one to see. Burgess Meredith is George and Lon Chaney Jr. is Lenny. Chaney never got to do much in movies, except rapidly grow hair as the Wolfman, but this movie proves that the younger Chaney inherited some of his father's genius. [24 Feb 2002]

100

Marc Mohan

The movie was solidly directed by Hollywood vet Lewis Milestone [All Quiet on the Western Front], but it's the performances by the two leads that takes it to another level. [23 Mar 2001]

Frank S. Nugent

Lewis Milestone, who directed it; Eugene Solow, who adapted it, and Burgess Meredith, Lon Chaney Jr., Betty Field and the others who have performed it, have done more than well in simply realizing the drama's established values. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

Though grim and offbeat, Of Mice And Men is a noble morality tale that can be appreciated for its simplicity. The acting is faultless and Copland's score is magnificent. Read full review

Pauline Kael

The story, about the friendship between two lonely, vagrant ranch hands--the small, bedraggled, intelligent George and the simpleminded giant Lennie--is gimmicky and highly susceptible to parody, but it is emotionally effective just the same.

Staff (Not Credited)

Impressive adaptation of Steinbeck's novel, made at the same time as The Grapes of Wrath (though released earlier) and matching Ford's harsh lyricism in its evocation of the Depression, the desperation of the migrant farmworkers, their pipedreams of a little place of their own some day. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Under skillful directorial guidance of Lewis Milestone, the picture retains all of the forceful and poignant drama of John Steinbeck's original play and novel, in presenting the strange palship and eventual tragedy of the two California ranch itinerants. Read full review

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KenR

May 2, 2021

Of Mice And Men – And Much In-between
John Steinbeck is up there with the great scribes of any era and this story of an odd but sensitive friendship is out to prove it. Lewis Milestone’s direction is both at times stagey and great, and he has a terrific cast to help bring this tale to vividOf Mice And Men – And Much In-between
John Steinbeck is up there with the great scribes of any era and this story of an odd but sensitive friendship is out to prove it. Lewis Milestone’s direction is both at times stagey and great, and he has a terrific cast to help bring this tale to vivid life - while veteran Master Director of Photography, Norbert Brodine’s fluid camera never misses a dramatic visual moment (AKF: Little Man What Now ’34, Kiss Of Death ’47). There’s much to like about this classic adaption of a fine piece of American literature, even if contemporary viewers might need to remind themselves it’s just 9 years after the introduction of sound. The addition of a descriptive score by iconic composer Aaron Copeland, adds an extra dimension to this sweeping drama of struggling itinerant workers - etching out a living during the 1930’s oppressive dustbowl. Eight years later, Copeland would again create a score for another Steinbeck work ‘The Red Pony’.

All the fiery characters are there, each tormented in their struggles, taunting each other as if everyone around them is to blame for their tiresome situation. And for Steinbeck’s Lennie, as if being mentally challenged isn’t enough - he has to co-exist with angst-ridden men and women - each wanting to take out their troubles on someone in easy reach - almost if somehow, to relieve their own gnawing suffering through channels of torment and selfishness. Its grand vintage moviemaking, with a vast array of grand vintage performers, all breathing life into a slice of unrelenting history. It’s difficult to find a quality DVD transfer, with the GMG Media copy offering quite reasonable visuals – but unfortunately, for some reason, it’s been transferred with the Sound Auto Leveller on! This could do with correction.… Expand

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