Top Rank DVDs
Home Bookmark This Page
View Cart

 

The Graduate (40th Anniversary Collector's Edition)


Click image
for larger view
List Price: $24.98
Now Only: $14.49

11 Used from $13.48
39 New from $12.99
4 Collectible from $29.99

Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours


 
 


Editorial Reviews:  
 
 
Nominated* for seven Academy AwardsÂ(r) and winner for Best Director, this ground breaking and "wildly hilarious" (The Boston Globe) social satire launched the career of two-time OscarÂ(r)-winner** Dustin Hoffman and cemented the reputation of acclaimed director Mike Nichols. Pulsating with the rebellious spirit of the '60s and a haunting score sung by Simon and Garfunkel, The Graduate is truly a "landmark film" (Leonard Maltin). Shy Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) returns home from college with an uncertain future. Then the wife of his father's business partner, the sexy Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), seduces him, and the affair only deepens his confusion. That is, until he meets the girl of his dreams (Katharine Ross). But there's one problem: she's Mrs. Robinson's daughter!
 
 

Few films have defined a generation as The Graduate did. The alienation, the nonconformity, the intergenerational romance, the blissful Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack--they all served to lob a cultural grenade smack into the middle of 1967 America, ultimately making the film the third most profitable up to that time. Seen from a later perspective, its radical chicness has dimmed a bit, yet it's still a joy to see Dustin Hoffman's bemused Benjamin and Anne Bancroft's deliciously decadent, sardonic Mrs. Robinson. The script by Buck Henry and Calder Willingham is still offbeat and dryly funny, and Mike Nichols, who won an Oscar for his direction, has just the right, light touch. --Anne Hurley

Beyond The Graduate

Amazon.com's Essential 100

Simon and Garfunkel: The Concert in Central Park

More from Director Mike Nichols



Stills from The Graduate







 


The Graduate (40th Anniversary Collector's Edition)

If you like this DVD movie, check out these items!

User Comments About The Graduate (40th Anniversary Collector's Edition)
 
Film Studies Review
 

in the film, Ben seems to be much younger then Mrs. Nervous young Ben as compared to calm uncaring Mrs. Then, Elaine yells out to Ben, he fights his way to her, and whisks her away into a bus. Elaine then finds out about the affair and heads back to school.

Robinson. The film kept me interested because of how the characters grow with the story and the plot. Plus, if they don't like it they at least have to respect the music in it. The acting was quite superb. I have to say I think this is my favorite film from the 60's. Robinson) acted remarkably well especially when I heard that they were around the same age.

Eventually he gives into her, and they have affairs for many months. In short, I really enjoy this movie and I will recommend it many people that I know. Robinson. "The Graduate" was a very tasteful film. This could be contributed to that the movie didn't give much of any relation from the events of the plot to the time period it was set. I found it to be quite funny and that the story could basically fit our time period, not just the 60's. He is very worried about his future, and during a party that his parents for him, this makes him vulnerable to being seduced by Mrs.

In a last hope of desperation, Ben searches for Elaine before she gets married. Dustin Hoffman and Anne Boncroft (Ben and Mrs. Robinson's daughter, comes back from school and Ben's parents set up a date between the two young adults. It does work, but Mr. If you just looked at the characters at the beginning of the movie and the end you can see that they all have changed a lot. When he does find her the vows are already said, but Ben interrupts the wedding anyway.

You could tell what Ben was feeling just by the every once and while shots of him either on a plane or on the bottom of the pool. Knowing that Elaine is the one for him, Ben goes to find her at her school and tries to get her to marry him. Robinson steps in and takes Elaine and tries to marry her off to some other guy. Robinson. The feelings and moods of the film were portrayed quite well.

Robinson furious. The music was also very important to showing the mood of the story, and the soundtrack is quite amazing if I do say so myself. Elaine Robinson, Mrs. This characteristic is not commonly found in movies that were made more then four decades ago. Not just in appearance, but also in the way that they acted. It also had a very complicated story. After they calm down, the movie with sincere expressions on their faces. She is married to Ben's father's business partner, and has known Ben for his whole life.

Ben ends up falling in love with Elaine, which makes Mrs. All the characters in this movie did very well in getting into their roles. He looked like he was lost in his own mind. Although, when she lures Ben into her home the first time, she is unsuccessful in seducing him. This film is about a guy name Benjamin who just gets home from a college. I did not notice one character that seemed awkward or that I didn't like.



Timeless Work of Art
 

Not too mention, the always memorable "leg" shot. What makes it a timeless classic is that nothing dates it, we see no Vietnam War and no hippies. The acting and cinematography make this film a masterful work of art. He was awkward and dryly funny. Aside from it's release date, costumes, props and the Simon & Garfunkel soundtrack place this film in the 60s.

Also the themes from this film, coming of age, rebellion (against parents, against the status quo) and alienation all still apply today.

"The Graduate" is a must have movie for all film buffs.

It was the most unique film of its time and is now considered a timeless classic.

If you don't have it, I highly recommend you get a copy.

Director of photography Robert Surtees added to the uncertainty with inventive cinematography, always placing Ben to the left or right.

In my opinion, the best film of that year was Mike Nichols' "The Graduate".

1967 was a huge year for film.

Dustin Hoffman accurately portrayed a 21 year old college graduate with a life full of uncertainty.



Good Film But Poor DVD!
 

Mrs Robinson feels the same way being in a loveless marriage and seeking a way out but has given up not having the strength and courage to go against the mainstream view of what she has to be. Hoffman and Ross' characters having the courage to go against the mainstream, to rebel and to live life rather than to be a slave to the mainstream view of what it should be. Hoffman's character feels lost as despite achieving all that society tells him is important i.e. graduating with top honours and a letter in sport from a top university he still feels empty and unfulfilled seeking meaning in life and a way out of a depression that stems from knowing that he doesn't have the answers. In some ways the film is also touching as it reveals that behind the facade of prosperity and family wholesomeness lies some very unhappy and unfulfilled lives. Sonically, good surround sound options DTS or Dolby 5.1 at a minimum plus more special features should be included in that release. This DVD though is poor and you should wait for the inevitable hopefully much better picture and sound quality restored Blu-ray version to come out.

For now, give this DVD version a miss and save the bucks for the restored version. Very 60s ideology indeed and hence a very apt movie for the times. I was impressed also with the great direction and especially the way the scenes transition from one to the next; inspired work indeed. This is as good as black comedies come and Dustin Hoffman shows us just how great an actor he is even all those years ago. The scene at the end when her daughter tells her that it's not too late for her to escape from the straight-jacket of the kind of life her parents want for her is what made the whole film.



However, upon further review...
 

6) Supposedly Benjamin is rebelling against conformity and the conventional, artificial (PLASTICS). To me, that's not being a rebel, that's being a spoiled, rich kid bum. Then he begins to stalk her. Robinson find so alluring about Benjamin.

world that his affluent parents and their friends subscribe to. Yet, despite the contrived love story and illicit romance, this film does work and is quite entertaining, mainly because of the great cinematography, writing, music, directing and acting. 5) How do you propose to a woman you barely know. .

Strangelove", etc.). And Katherine Ross not only possesses the prettiest brown eyes you'll ever see, but by the end of the film we all can't help but to fall in love w/ her winsome, wholesome ways. After all, Amazon does tell us to 'make it fun'. The thought of it makes my skin crawl. 4) Would any woman, no matter what the circumstances, want to get involved with a guy who just spent the last several months making the beast w/ two backs w/ her mother. Rather than review this classic film, which most people have already either seen or heard about, I wanted to entice you fans out there to post some commentary on some of the points I have covered below.

3) How do you explain the beautiful, intelligent, and wholesome character of Elaine Robinson (Katherine Ross) falling in love w/ the shallow, uncharismatic, aloof Benjamin. And that's not even taking into account Ben's sordid affair w/ mom. 1) Would the film be as great w/out the music of Simon & Garfunkel. If she was just out for some casual sex w/ a young, pretty boy toy why would she choose to do it w/ one of her best friend's sons. In my humble opinion, Bancroft stole the show and I only wish she had more time on screen. They only went on one date and he took her to a strip club for God sakes.

For example, at his graduation party there was not one person there his own age. Why would a woman in her position do something so self-destructive when she didn't even seem like she was all that attracted to Benjamin in the first place. 7) And last, but certainly not least (for I could go on for days), are there really any endearing characteristics about Benjamin at all. The guy doesn't have one friend.

2) What did Mrs. However, after viewing this one yet AGAIN the other night (my guess is, I've seen this film over twenty times now), I couldn't help but pose these questions: (spoiler alert). Not only is it completely repulsive and vulgar, but how do you ever forget about something like that, let alone forgive it. However, he has no problems still living at home, laying on a raft all day in their pool drinking beer and working on his tan. To all you young cats out there, I can tell you that this approach usually will get you thrown into prison and/or getting your butt kicked by the girl's father, brother, or friends.

In my opinion, few film soundtracks/scores have had a greater impact than this one (not including musicals of course). To me, he is a lazy, spoiled, self-absorbed, unambitious, aloof, whiny loner w/ almost zero charisma. The guy is completely anti-social to everyone he meets. We all know that this is one of those no-brainer, without-a-doubt comedy classics that is seemingly above reproach (a la "Some Like It Hot", "Annie Hall", "Tootsie", Dr. This is an atypical review for me folks. How does that woman even remotely take you seriously (we are talking about a beautiful, well-to-do, educated young woman w/ seemingly everything going for her).



 

Movie Categories
Action & Adventure
African American Cinema
Animation & Cartoons
Anime & Manga
Arts & International
Classic Movies
Comedies
Concerts & Music Videos
Cult Movies
Documentaries
Dramas
Educational
Family & Kids
Fitness & Yoga
Horror
Musicals
Mystery & Suspense
Sci Fi & Fantasy
Special Interest
Sports
Television Shows
VHS Movies
War & Military
Westerns

© 2005-2006 TopRankDVDs.com