The Graduate (1967)

Director:

Mike Nichols

Writers:

Calder Willingham (screenplay) and
Buck Henry (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

22 December 1967 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Comedy

Tagline:

The Movie That Became A Legend [Video Australia]

Plot:

Recent college graduate Benjamin Braddock is trapped into an affair with Mrs. Robinson, who happens to be the wife of his father's business partner and then finds himself falling in love with her teenage daughter, Elaine.

Plot Keywords:

Love | Graduate | College Graduate | Obsession | Alcoholic

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 19 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Anne Bancroft	...	Mrs. Robinson
Dustin Hoffman	...	Ben Braddock
Katharine Ross	...	Elaine Robinson
William Daniels	...	Mr. Braddock
Murray Hamilton	...	Mr. Robinson
Elizabeth Wilson	...	Mrs. Braddock
Buck Henry	...	Room Clerk
Brian Avery	...	Carl Smith
Walter Brooke	...	Mr. McGuire
Norman Fell	...	Mr. McCleery
Alice Ghostley	...	Mrs. Singleman
Marion Lorne	...	Miss DeWitte
Eddra Gale	...	Woman on Bus
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Buddy Douglas	...	Bellhop in Hotel Lobby (uncredited)
Richard Dreyfuss	...	Boarding House Resident (uncredited)
Mike Farrell	...	Bellhop in Hotel Lobby (uncredited)
Elisabeth Fraser	...	Second Lady (uncredited)
Donald F. Glut	...	College student (uncredited)
Harry Holcombe	...	The Minister (uncredited)
Jonathan Hole	...	Mr. Singleman (uncredited)
Lainie Miller	...	Night Club Stripper (uncredited)
Ben Murphy	...	Shaving Student (uncredited)
Noam Pitlik	...	Gas Station Attendant (uncredited)
Kevin Tighe	...	Extra (uncredited)

Directed by
Mike Nichols

Writing credits
Calder Willingham		(screenplay) and
Buck Henry		(screenplay)
Charles Webb		(novel)

Produced by
Lawrence Turman	....	producer
Joseph E. Levine	....	executive producer (uncredited)

Cinematography by
Robert Surtees		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Sam O'Steen

Production Design by
Richard Sylbert

Set Decoration by
George R. Nelson		(as George Nelson)

Costume Design by
Patricia Zipprodt

Makeup Department
Sydney Guilaroff	....	hair stylist
Harry Maret	....	makeup artist
Sherry Wilson	....	hair dresser

Production Management
George Justin	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Don Kranze	....	assistant director
Lynn Guthrie	....	second assistant director (uncredited)
Gene Marum	....	dga trainee (uncredited)

Art Department
Joel Schiller	....	assistant production designer
Gene Lauritzen	....	construction coordinator (uncredited)
Harold Michelson	....	storyboard artist (uncredited)

Sound Department
Jack Solomon	....	sound

Stunts
Carol Daniels	....	stunts (uncredited)
Lee Faulkner	....	stunt double (uncredited)
Loren Janes	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Albert Bettcher	....	camera operator
Richard Borland	....	grip
Earl Gilbert	....	gaffer
George Gordon Nogle	....	camera operator (as George Nogle)
Bob Rose	....	key grip: second unit (uncredited)
Robert Willoughby	....	special still photographer (uncredited)

Casting Department
Lynn Stalmaster	....	casting consultant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Patricia Zipprodt	....	costumes executed by
Robert Fuca	....	wardrobe supervisor (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Bob Wyman	....	assistant film editor

Music Department
Dave Grusin	....	composer: additional music
Mike Deasy	....	musician (uncredited)

Other crew
Joseph E. Levine	....	presenter
Meta Rebner	....	script supervisor
Harry Winston	....	special jewelry
Wayne Fitzgerald	....	title designer (uncredited)
Jeff Kanew	....	trailer (uncredited) (unconfirmed)
Harold Lloyd	....	supervisor: final sequence (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Embassy Pictures Corporation
• Lawrence Turman

Distributors

• Embassy Pictures Corporation (1967) (USA) (theatrical)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1973) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Asociace Ceských Filmových Klubu (ACFK) (2002) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• Chapel Distribution (1997) (Australia) (theatrical) (35mm print re-issue)
• Seven Films (2008) (Greece) (theatrical)
• United Artists Corporation (1970) (UK) (theatrical)
• United Artists (1969) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• United Artists (1968) (France) (theatrical)
• United Artists (1968) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Criterion Collection, The (USA) (laserdisc)
• Kinowelt Home Entertainment (2001) (Germany) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (1999) (USA) (DVD)
• Momentum Pictures (2001) (UK) (DVD)
• Nelson Entertainment (1987) (USA) (VHS)
• PolyGram Video (video)
• Sandrews (2007) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Studio Canal
• Universal Pictures Nordic (2009) (Sweden) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Maximilian  furs by
• Solters & Digney  publicity (uncredited)

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System) | Mono (35 mm optical prints)

Certification:

UK:15 (video rating) | UK:AA (original rating) | USA:Approved (original rating) | USA:PG (re-rating) (1972) | Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Brazil:14 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M (re-rating) | Australia:R (original rating) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | Italy:VM14 | Netherlands:AL (original rating) | Netherlands:MG6 (re-rating) | Norway:15 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:15 | West Germany:12 | West Germany:16 (original rating) | Canada:R (Nova Scotia)

Filming Locations:

Alumni Park - 3551 Trousdale Parkway, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Embassy Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Charles Grodin was cast as Benjamin, but the deal fell apart following a disagreement over salary. Mike Nichols still offered him a part in Catch-22 (1970), which he was already scheduled to direct.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Ben is in the hotel bar waiting for Mrs. Robinson he takes a sip of his drink and the glass has ice in it, when he sets the glass down and there is a reflection of Mrs. Robinson on the glass table there is no ice in the glass.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Pilot: Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to begin our descent into Los Angeles. The sound you just heard is the landing gear locking into place. Los Angeles weather is clear; temperature is 72. We expect to make our 4 hour and 18 minute flight on schedule. We have enjoyed having you on board, and look forward to seeing you again in the near future.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Connecticut Poop Movie (2006)

Soundtrack:

On the Strip

Dee da dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee da dee, Doo da doo doo doo doo doo da doo

Here's to you Mrs. Robinson. Was it the song by Simon and Garfunkel made popular by the film, or did the film entrench the song into popular culture? Who's to say either way? It's a matter of opinion, and it's irrelevant really. The fact is, it's a great song and a great movie and the two compliment each other like peanut butter and jelly, ham and swiss or May and December.

This movie is for anyone who's ever wondered what they are going to do with their future, anyone who's been in love with someone their parents didn't approve of, or anyone who's had an affair with one of their parent's friends. Granted, not many will fall in the latter category, but it throws an interesting spin on the film.

The film perfectly encapsulates and portrays the feelings of self-doubt, alienation, disenchantment and unwanted pressures and expectations for a twenty-something just out of college. Dustin Hoffman is the only person we can possibly imagine in the role of Benjamin as his imprint and superb acting makes this film a great one. As reflected on in an interview with Dustin Hoffman on the DVD, "The Graduate at 25", his life changed after this film, propelling him into something of a superstar status as his incredible talent found wide recognition. When I saw "Rushmore" I had a similar feeling about young Jason Schwartzman in the lead role. For him, time will tell. Although "Rushmore" isn't the time tested success that "The Graduate" is, anyone who enjoyed "Rushmore" would likely enjoy "The Graduate" if they haven't already seen it. They are, however, distinctly different films.

This comedy is something of a benchmark in many ways. Not many films of a comedic nature are so socially relevant and of such high quality that they make the A.F.I.'s top ten of all time. The film by many standards is more than just a contemporary comedy. It is quite possibly the best one ever made, given its widespread appeal.

It is well shot with interesting sequences and hilarious segments that hold up against the test of time. It has been a long-time favourite of mine, and I can scarcely imagine growing tired of it.