Dodsworth

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Dodsworth

1936,

1h 41m,

Drama

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Watchlist

95%

21 Reviews

Tomatometer

86%

1,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

When Sam Dodsworth (Walter Huston), the head of a car company, embarks on a vacation in Europe with his youth-obsessed wife, Fran (Ruth Chatterton), the couple find themselves growing apart. Soon Fran is flirting with other men and embracing a spontaneous and impulsive lifestyle, while Sam is left on his own. However, after running into the lively and independent Edith Cortwright (Mary Astor), an acquaintance from their transatlantic trip, Sam realizes that he may find love again.

Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

Mar 16, 2024

4/5

[Chatterton] is absolutely defiant in that scene [with Kurt and the Baroness]. She doesn’t back down for a second even as her world is crumbling...

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Oct 16, 2007

By far the most sensitive, restrained, and effective piece of direction Wyler ever turned in, the film achieves a measure of greatness through the dignity and depth of Huston's superb interpretation of the plainspoken Yankee.

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Elliott Stein

Village Voice

Oct 16, 2007

Huston is superb as the plainspoken Midwestern businessman whose blissful world falls apart. The film remains the most emotionally compelling of Wyler's career.

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Danny King

Screen Slate

Jul 20, 2026

Wyler proves an ideal facilitator, translating a couple’s innermost anxieties to a realm of frantic cinematic passion.

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Nov 9, 2020

4.5/5

Dodsworth, under the direction of William Wyler, is one of the best pieces of cinema to come out of the 1930s...

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Jul 26, 2020

10/10

The plot may sound like a soap opera, but the acting, script, and execution are absolutely perfect.

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Jan 26, 2019

The best, GREATEST movie ever made!

Leia P

Apr 21, 2018

I do not like Wyler, but if told me to recommend one, I will name the name of this work. Composition that puts a burning letter fluttering in the center of the screen with the hero at the end. Directed using a lot of screen, the direction that makes two people play by vertical sense of distance. When I look at such a directing that I can not see so much in recent movies, I feel relieved. Mate's skill is also great.

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George W

Nov 15, 2017

Awesome, almost perfect in every way. The acting is on par with the greatest movies of all time.

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William Wyler

Director

Walter Huston

Sam Dodsworth

Ruth Chatterton

Fran Dodsworth

David Niven

Capt. Clyde Lockert

Paul Lukas

Arnold Iselin

Mary Astor

Mrs. Edith Cortright

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Synopsis

When Sam Dodsworth (Walter Huston), the head of a car company, embarks on a vacation in Europe with his youth-obsessed wife, Fran (Ruth Chatterton), the couple find themselves growing apart. Soon Fran is flirting with other men and embracing a spontaneous and impulsive lifestyle, while Sam is left on his own. However, after running into the lively and independent Edith Cortwright (Mary Astor), an acquaintance from their transatlantic trip, Sam realizes that he may find love again.

Director: William Wyler
Producer: Samuel Goldwyn
Screenwriter: Sidney Howard
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Samuel Goldwyn Company
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 23, 1936, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 10, 2020
Runtime: 1h 41m

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