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The Graduate
1967
Director Mike Nichols's THE GRADUATE is the satirical coming-of-age comedy that became an emotional touchstone for an entire generation. In the late 1960s, Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), a confused college graduate, is pulled in myriad directions by family, friends, and associates just days after receiving his degree. .. Read more
| Starring | Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Katharine Ross, Murray Hamilton |
|---|---|
| Director | Mike Nichols |
| Genres | Drama, Romance |
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The Graduate
Director Mike Nichols's THE GRADUATE is the satirical coming-of-age comedy that became an emotional touchstone for an entire generation. In the late 1960s, Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), a confused college graduate, is pulled in myriad directions by family, friends, and associates just days after receiving his degree. Seduced by Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), an older friend of the family, Ben carries on an affair with the married woman even as he falls for her daughter, Elaine (Katharine Ross). However, Ben and Elaine's attempts at romance are threatened by the spiteful rage of Mrs. Robinson, who proceeds to hastily arrange Elaine's marriage to another boy, leading up to one of the most memorable endings in cinema history.
With its striking photography and clever editing, THE GRADUATE established Nichols as a major director. The film also made a star out of young Hoffman, who gives an understated portrayal of the perplexed Ben--the actor's first role in a Hollywood film, which he almost didn't get because he wasn't Waspy enough. Outstanding performances by the rest of the cast are highlighted by Bancroft's sexy, embittered turn as Mrs. Robinson and Ross's endearing presence as the gorgeous yet innocent Elaine. The film's impact on popular culture is immeasurable: "Plastics" will live on eternally as depressing but solid career advice, and older women will never eye younger men without fear of becoming a "Mrs. Robinson." Buck Henry (who appears briefly in the film) cowrote the influential screenplay, based on the novel by Charles Webb, and the soundtrack by Simon and Garfunkel remains a movie classic.
| Starring | Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Katharine Ross, Murray Hamilton, William Daniels, Walter Brooke, Norman Fell, Buck Henry, Harry Holcombe, Elizabeth Wilson, Alice Ghostley, Richard Dreyfuss, Brian Avery |
|---|---|
| Director | Mike Nichols |
| Studio | OPTIMUM HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 41 mins HD DVD: 1 hr 41 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Collections | 100 must-see movies |
| Genres | Drama, Romance |
| Language | DVD: English HD DVD: English |
| Dubbed | German, Italian, Spanish |
| Subtitles | DVD: English, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish |
| Released | DVD: 26 Mar 2001 HD DVD: 13 Aug 2007 Production year: 1967 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (4)
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This landmark satire on America's bourgeoisie thrust the unknown Dustin Hoffman into the limelight and won a best director Oscar for Mike Nichols. In his film debut, Hoffman is sensational as the innocent college graduate who is seduced by older married woman Anne Bancroft and then falls for her daughter Katharine Ross. The humour in Calder Willingham and Buck Henry's screenplay has the bite of a dry martini, Robert Surtees's stunning, innovative camerawork contributes telling visual ironies (especially in the scene where Hoffman runs to the church) and the Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack perfectly captures the mood of disaffected youth seething beneath the laid-back exterior of 1960s California. Nichols's Oscar was well deserved, launching him into the top rank of Hollywood directors, though the film missed out in six other categories — best picture, actor (Hoffman), actress (Bancroft), supporting actress (Ross), screenplay and cinematography.
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Richly reflecting the anything-goes mood of the late sixties, this lushly-filmed sex comedy opened a few new doors, looked ravishing, was well acted and had a popular music score. A comedy of its time, it has also stood the test of time.
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Most helpful member's review
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11 out of 13 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Nostalgic genius
Great film that would be only average without the fabulous, atmospheric soundtrack. Most of the songs were written for the film, or changed to be so (the song Mrs Robinson was originally going to be Mrs Roosevelt until Mike Nicholls pleaded with Simon and Garfunkel to change it!) This film makes me feel nostalgic for time and place I wasn't even born in. Very influential, this film is essential viewing just to be able to understand all the many homages and references in other films and programmes, including that great episode of The Simpsons.
This is the benchmark that other so-called 'romantic comedies' should strive for. -
Most recent members' review
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7 out of 8 people found this review helpful
Still great after all these years
This is still a very funny film with a tremendous performance by Dustin Hoffman. Anne Bancroft looks just great as well as being very funny. Murray Hamilton (later to appear as the Mayor in 'Jaws') is very amusing. The music still positively enhances the film. The DVD transfer is a good one and the film doesn't look tired as many do after just 20 or 30 years. You will almost certainly enjoy this (again) and it's not even too long.
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News and features
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The Graduate named top soundtrack
- 17 Jan 2006
Simon and Garfunkel's music to the film The Graduate has been named the top soundtrack in movie history. The soundtrack for Mike Nichols' (Closer, Catch 22) film, which starred Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft, included the songs Mrs Robinson, The Sound Of Silence and Scarborough Fair. Readers of Giant magazine gave second place to the 1984 film Purple Rain that featured Prince's musical and acting talents. Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction, with tracks by Al Green and Dusty Springfield, took... Read more
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Graduate, The - HD DVD Version
Director Mike Nichols's THE GRADUATE is the satirical coming-of-age comedy that became an emotional touchstone for an entire generation. In the late 1960s, Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), a confused college graduate, is pulled in myriad directions by family, friends, and associates just days ...
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The Graduate
Director Mike Nichols's THE GRADUATE is the satirical coming-of-age comedy that became an emotional touchstone for an entire generation. In the late 1960s, Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), a confused college graduate, is pulled in myriad directions by family, friends, and associates just days ...
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