Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 47 | slideshow) Videos
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) -- US Home Video Trailer from Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   83,719 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 48% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Joel Coen
more
Writers:
Homer (epic poem "The Odyssey")
Ethan Coen (written by) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for O Brother, Where Art Thou? on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
22 December 2000 (USA) more
Tagline:
Sometimes, you have to lose your way to get back home more
Plot:
Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey", set in the deep south during the 1930's. In it, three escaped convicts search for hidden treasure while a relentless lawman pursues them. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 29 nominations more
User Comments:
This film brought back memories. more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
O' Brother (France)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for some violence and language.
Runtime:
106 min | 107 min
Country:
UK | France | USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS
Filming Locations:
Canton, Mississippi, USA more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
References to Homer's Odyssey: - The names of George Clooney and Holly Hunter's characters (Ulysses and Penelope) - one-eyed Big Dan as the Cyclops (blinded with a burning pole) - the three girls by the river as the Sirens - Ulysses' wife marrying someone else when he comes home - the old-man disguise - the changing of one of Ulysses' companions into an animal - the Baptists as the Lotus-eaters - the Ku Klux Klan has a rank of Grand (or Exalted) Cyclops - they catch a ride on a hand-pumped railway that is being operated by a blind prophet, who tells them that they will not find the treasure they seek. The prophet character in the Odyssey was Teiresias, whom Odysseus consulted in the underworld when he needed information on how to get home again - the movie theater scene as the trip through the Underworld. - Odysseus nearly drowned, but clings to a piece of wood. - Odysseus and Everett both reveal themselves by performing an act no one else could: Odysseus strings a special bow and fires it through seven rings; Everett sings "Man of Constant Sorrow" as only the leader of the Soggy Bottom Boys can. - "Pappy's" given name, Menelaus, is the same as the king who declared war on Troy in the first place. - the Latin equivalent of the Greek name Odysseus is Ulysses. - "Sing in me O Muse...”, the line at the beginning of the film, is the first line of the Odyssey. - the killing of the cattle of Helios by the "fools" in the Odyssey is mirrored by Baby Face Nelson shooting the cows. - every time Ulysses falls asleep something bad happens. - the song which plays throughout the movie is called "Man of Constant Sorrow", Odysseus means "man who is in constant pain and sorrow". - a man of constant sorrow is also a description of Odysseus. - Pappy's opposition for Governor's has the first name Homer. - when Ulysses first meets Big Dan in the restaurant there is a statue of Homer in the background. - There is a "Blind Bard" who pays the boys to "sing into his can". Homer was often (and probably erroneously) thought to be a blind bard who told his stories verbally to his students. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: Nelson asks if any of "you fellers" knows his way around a Walther PPK. He then pulls out a submachine gun. The Walther PPK is a pistol. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Ulysses Everett McGill: Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?
more
Movie Connections:
References Barton Fink (1991) more
Soundtrack:
O Death more

FAQ

Why is the name of this movie "O Brother Where Art Thou?"
more
156 out of 170 people found the following comment useful:-
This film brought back memories., 27 June 2003
Author: wilma1913

We lived through the depression and related to some of the conditions portrayed. We have watched it perhaps a dozen times. Each time we see it we pick up on something we had missed because we were still laughing at, or discussing, an earlier scene or line. The entire film was a collection of photographically great faces. We are still asking ourselves whether the entire cast were professionals or whether some were individuals found on location. The film was rich with subtle tie-ins like the children tied together with twine, as the prisoners were connected by chains. We still think the cow may have been hit unintentionally. Fords of that era had mechanical brakes. The driver of the car may not have been accustomed the longer stopping distances required. The many allusions to Ulysses Odyssey inspired us to do an inter-net search. We found a modern text version and discovered more sly references. We appreciate blue grass and country music as originally American and found it thoroughly enjoyable, along with the authentic "Go To Sleep Little Baby" and "Down from the Mountain." We were emotionally touched by this film because of our age, and find it totally entertaining every time we view it. We are still amazed that someone not of our generation could have captured the essence of that period of United States history.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Holds The Position of WORST film i've ever seen in my life! misskayshia
KKK scene- top disturbing scene of all time VeirsTallis
Can't explian why but this is the most beautiful movie ronglover2002
need some help lilvictorious
Clooney Improvised. zachpdoyle04
Easter Eggs, Surprises, Puns and Inside Jokes macemace
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Night of the Hunter Big Fish Bonnie and Clyde Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest The Outsiders
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Comedy section IMDb UK section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.