The Good Earth (1937)

7.5Approved138 minDirector: Victor Fleming

1937 film by Victor Fleming, Sidney Franklin, Gustav Machatý

The Good Earth is a 1937 American drama film about Chinese farmers who struggle to survive. It was adapted by Talbot Jennings, Tess Slesinger, and Claudine West from the 1932 play by Owen Davis and Donald Davis, which was in itself based on the 1931 novel of the same name by Nobel Prize-winning author Pearl S. Buck. The film was directed by Sidney Franklin, with uncredited contributions by Victor Fleming and Gustav Machaty.

The film stars Paul Muni as Wang Lung. For her role as his wife O-Lan, Luise Rainer won an Academy Award for Best Actress. The film also won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for Karl Freund. It was nominated for Best Director, Best Film Editing, and Best Picture. Its world premiere was at the elegant Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles.

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is The Good Earth about?
The Good Earth (1937) — Although married Chinese farmers Wang and O-Lan initially experience success, their lives are complicated by declining fortunes and lean times, as well as the arrival of the beautiful young Lotus.
Is The Good Earth based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is The Good Earth scary?
Content rating: Approved. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.
What is The Good Earth (1937) about? Plot, synopsis and ending explained — Screencodex