Synopsis
An intellectually disabled giant and his level headed guardian find work at a sadistic cowboy's ranch in depression era America.
Your Movie Library
Cast
- Burgess MeredithGeorge
- Betty FieldMae
- Lon Chaney Jr.Lennie
- Charles BickfordSlim
- Roman BohnenCandy
- Bob SteeleCurley
- Noah Beery Jr.Whit
- Oscar O'SheaJackson
- Granville BatesCarlson
- Leigh WhipperCrooks
Recommendations
- 100
Portland Oregonian
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] - 100
San Francisco Chronicle
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] - 90
The New York Times
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. - 80
Time Out
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. - 80
Variety
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. - 80
The New Yorker
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. - 80
TV Guide Magazine
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.
