The Grapes Of Wrath

Description: Ranking No. 21 on the American Film Institute's list of the 100 greatest American films. This 1940 classic adapted from John Steinbeck's great novel, tells the story of the Joad family, Oklahoma farmers leaving the depression-era dustbowl for the promises of California. Following a prison term he served for manslaughter, Tom Joad returns to his family homestead to discover that his family home is empty. The land ravaged by drought and foreclosed by the banks. He finds his family at his Uncles farm just as they're setting out for the westbound journey, and thus begins an odyssey of saddening losses and strengthening hopes,But the arduous trip and harsh living conditions they encounter offer little hope, and family unity proves as daunting a challenge as any other they face. This remarkable film version of Steinbeck's novel was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including for Best Picture, Actor (Henry Fonda), Film Editing, Sound and Writing. John Ford won the Best Director Oscar and actress Jane Darwell won Best Actress for her portrayal of Ma Joad, the matriarch of the struggling migrant farmer family. Ma Joad,is the embodiment of one of America's greatest social tragedies and the "Okie" spirit of pressing forward against all odds (as she says, "because we're the people").