The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

Screening as part of the 2025 From Page To Screen film festival

Introduced by festival curator Andrew Chater

“I’ll be everywhere. Wherever you can look – wherever there’s a fight, so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there. Wherever there’s a cop beatin’ up a guy, I’ll be there.” – Tom Joad (Henry Fonda)

Director John Ford, who immortalised the West in classics such as Stagecoach (1939) and The Searchers (1956), turns to John Steinbeck’s era-defining novel of the Great Depression to deeply emotional effect.

Exploring the plight of the Joads, a family of desperately poor tenant farmers who are forced to seek out a new life as the Dust Bowl settles over Kansas, Ford and his cast (led by Henry Fonda as Tom Joad) bring enormous humanity to their story. Shot with the rugged poetry of one of Hollywood’s greatest cameramen, Gregg Toland (Citizen Kane), the film captures both the epic canvas of the American landscape, but also the intimacy of the interplay between the family. A true American classic that still feels hugely resonant today.

Dir. John Ford, USA 1940, 129 mins. With Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, John Carradine, Dorris Bowdon.

Certificate PG

Film sponsored by British design studio Wallace Sewell 

Gain deeper insight into the film with our curator, Andrew Chater, as he explores its themes, significance, and creative process. Watch the video below to hear his expert perspective.

 

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