John Ford brings the John Steinbeck novel to the screen. It is a somber tale of an Oklahoma family’s misfortunes during the great depression. The film brings to light the realities of the misery and poverty of that time. It also shows that even a well intentioned person, can’t stay away from trouble.
The film begins with a figure walking down the road. That figure is Tom Joad(Henry Fonda). He has just been released from prison, after an eight year stint for manslaughter. The audience is given an insight into Tom Joad’s character, when he hitches a ride with a truck driver. He is having a conversation with the truck driver, and says he was in prison. After a few awkward moments, Joad tells him he was in prison, and why. It is shortly after, that Tom is dropped off not far from his home. Ma Joad, (Jane Darwell) is having a conversation, when she looks out the window, and sees Tom. She cannot hide her overwhelming joy, and embraces him. She gathers the rest of the family, and they are reunited.
The Grapes of Wrath brings the grim reality of the depression, onto the screen. One poignant scene, is when a sharecropper loses his home. The man bulldozing the home is a neighbor. When the man is asked how he can destroy his neighbor’s property; he says he’s being paid good money, and has a family to support. The Joad family also suffers a serious setback. The bank tells them they are taking their property in the morning. The family decides to head for the promised land, of California, where the jobs are plenty, and the land is fertile. The Joads decide to leave before daybreak. They take very little with them. Jane Darwell has wonderful scene, when she’s deciding what small things to take. She decides on a few pictures, and a pair of treasured earrings. The rest of the pictures and other items, she throws in the burning stove. She leaves the house with a few good memories and her dignity.
The road to California is not the best. The Joad family experiences tragedy, when Grandpa, (Charlie Grapewin), dies. The family asks Casey,(John Carradine),an alcoholic preacher, and family friend, to say something. He gives a very touching eulogy. Carradine was good in this role; he was normally cast in villainous roles. Tom Joad has written a simple note, in a jar, explaining that grandpa was a good man, but the family couldn’t afford a burial. It is a touching scene, when Fonda’s character reads it aloud.
When the Joads arrive in The Golden State, they are astonished at it’s beauty. This is the only thing about the state, that they can appreciate. They get work, but it is for very low wages, and the work camp conditions are horrible. This causes the workers to unite and strike. Management doesn’t like this, and stops it. There are violent clashes and Tom Joad’s friend, Casey is killed, and Joad is hit on the head.
The family decides to move to another camp. This camp is different. It is a government camp. After the family registers, they find out, that a fair wage is paid. There are also hot and cold running water, as well as flush toilets. The best thing of all is they hold dances on Saturday nights. It appears the Joad family has gotten a little slice of heaven. This is not to be. After the dance, the police come looking for Tom Joad. Tom realizes that he must leave, and he tells his mother. She says she’ll hide him, but he says no. Fonda gives one of the most touching speeches in the history of Hollywood films, to Jane Darwell. Tom Joad leaves and gives his sleeping father a farewell kiss on the forehead. The Joads also leave the camp. Pa Joad asks Ma if they’ll find work and land. This leads to an final speech by Jane Darwell , saying they’ll be fine, because they’re Okies.
Jane Darwell won a well deserved academy award, for her performance as Ma Joad. It is incredible, that Henry Fonda did not for his standout performance, as Tom Joad. John Ford won his second academy award for The Grapes of Wrath. In this film he manages to bring vivid images of the suffering of people. His depiction of California as a film metaphor; for the land of Canaan, shows why John Ford was the absolute master of his craft. This movie was made not long after the worst years of the depression were still fresh, and many Americans could identify in part, with the Joads. The Grapes of Wrath pulls no punches regarding misery, greed and corruption. It’s main theme of perseverance and self sacrifice, makes it a film that is well worth seeing.