The Magnificent Ambersons
1942 · Movie · NR · 88 min · ★ 7.3 · 91% critics
A spoiled young heir in a wealthy Midwestern family drives a wedge between his widowed mother and the man she has always loved. As old fortunes and relationships strain under changing times, their personal choices ripple through the whole town.
Based on The Magnificent Ambersons
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Details
- Years
- 1942
- Release date
- 1942-07-10
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 88 min
- Critic score
- 91/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.3/10 (475 votes)
- Budget
- $1,100,000
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you like classic romance-and-family-drama vibes like Citizen Kane; Not for you if you need a likable hero, crave nonstop action, or get frustrated by a story that feels uneven or rushed in places.
Pros: period charm; strong performances; memorable drama | Cons: uneven impact; unlikeable lead; rushed feel
Themes
- small town
- marriage proposal
- jealousy
- love of one's life
- marriage crisis
- only child
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Art Direction, Black and White · 1943 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Picture · 1943 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Cinematography, Black-and-White · 1943 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actress · 1943 · nominated
Cast & crew
Joseph Cotten
as Eugene Morgan
Dolores Costello
as Isabel Amberson Minafer
Anne Baxter
as Lucy Morgan
Tim Holt
as George Minafer
Agnes Moorehead
as Fanny Minafer
Ray Collins
as Jack Amberson
Erskine Sanford
as Roger Bronson
Richard Bennett
as Major Amberson
Orson Welles
as Narrator (voice)
Edwin August
as Citizen (uncredited)
Directed by Orson Welles