Cimarron

Released Feb 9, 1931

2h 11m

Western

List

50%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

25%

Audience Score

1,000+ Ratings

In 1889, adventurous lawyer and newspaper editor Yancey Cravat (Richard Dix) convinces his genteel wife, Sabra (Irene Dunne), to join him in the rush to populate Osage, Oklahoma. After they begin to settle into the community, Yancey leaves to go further west. Alone, Sabra inherits his editorial duties and struggles to bring civilization to the rough frontier town. Over a tumultuous 40 years, the couple are repeatedly separated and reunited as Oklahoma makes its long journey to statehood.

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Critics Consensus

Cimarron is supported by a strong performance from Irene Dunne, but uneven in basically every other regard, and riddled with potentially offensive stereotypes.

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Pauline Kael

New Yorker

One of Edna Ferber's heartfelt, numbskull treks through the hardships and glories of the American heritage.

Jul 28, 2022

Full Review

Times (UK) Staff

Times (UK)

It is somehow a little disappointing that the film which opens with the rush for the land in Oklahoma should end with a luncheon-party, and after-luncheon speeches at the Ritz-Carlton, or some such hotel.

Jan 12, 2021

Full Review

SMH Staff

Sydney Morning Herald

The conclusion of the story... is not in the least convincing.

Jan 24, 2020

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Cimarron...did not age well at all.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jan 14, 2024

Full Review

Christopher Lloyd

The Film Yap

Thought certain aspects of the Best Picture winner are archaic remnants of their time, it's still a sprawling and ambitious pioneer story with a proto-feminist tilt.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 4, 2023

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Arguably the worst Best Picture winner in the Academy’s 95-year history.

Rated: 2/4

Aug 10, 2023

Full Review

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Louisa E

Okay. I enjoyed the plot. Personally, I like generational saga-type stories, so this one appealed to me. The only thing I didn't buy was Sabra's dedication to a guy who kept abandoning the family. I get keeping his name on the newspaper, but I didn't particularly appreciate that such a strong woman was a doormat to her husband. I liked that the good guy was also the bad guy. The end of Isaiah almost made me cry. The biggest disappointment in this movie for me was Dix's acting. It was so bad and hammy! He looked and acted like he couldn't move on from silent film. If they had a brilliant actor in that role, the movie would have been soooo much better! George E. Stone was brilliant, as always. He's becoming a favourite of mine! My favourite part was the land grab at the start. That was impressive, and I felt scared. Very crazy! I think the win for art direction is valid, and nominations for writing, director, and cinematography are warranted. But I disagree with the win of Best Picture, and I very much disagree with the best actor nomination for Dix!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/09/23

Full Review

CodyZamboni

Movie tells a compelling epic story. I like the parallel stories of the growith of the small Western settlement to major city, paired with the main family's humble beginnings, but growing in wealth, power and political influence. And despite his family's success over 40 years, the patriarch still sticks to his ideals of justice and pioneering spirit. Movie justly received Oscars for production design and art direction.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/26/23

Full Review

Mark A

Doesn't really hold up.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is perhaps the worst film to win Best Picture I've ever seen. I suppose at the time it was lauded and, in full disclosure, I am not a huge western fan and this is only one of three westerns to win Best Picture in history (the first). The movie didn't recoup the budget RKO spent on the film due in large part to the depression. There are strong performances by Irene Dunne and it is riddled with offensive stereotypes. I think the film is an excellent study about how tastes have changed over the years. It's badly dated, slow moving, and pocked with racist caricatures. The recreation of the great 1889 Oklahoma Land Rush remains exciting but unfortunately the film never manages to top the opening shot.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

Audience Member

About as ridiculously politically incorrect as you can get but I just love an old western with all the stereotypical characters. It's a load of guff but kept me entertained which wasn't always the case with early best picture wins. Not as bad as some of the dross to pick up the top award. And with that, I'm done. The epic track through best picture winners is over... until this year's winner is announced.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

steve d

It has aged extremely poorly.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Wesley Ruggles

Director

Richard Dix

Yancey Cravat

Irene Dunne

Sabra Cravat

Estelle Taylor

Dixie Lee

Nance O'Neil

Felice Venable

William Collier Jr.

The Kid

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Synopsis

In 1889, adventurous lawyer and newspaper editor Yancey Cravat (Richard Dix) convinces his genteel wife, Sabra (Irene Dunne), to join him in the rush to populate Osage, Oklahoma. After they begin to settle into the community, Yancey leaves to go further west. Alone, Sabra inherits his editorial duties and struggles to bring civilization to the rough frontier town. Over a tumultuous 40 years, the couple are repeatedly separated and reunited as Oklahoma makes its long journey to statehood.

Director: Wesley Ruggles
Screenwriter: Howard Estabrook
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co: RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Genre: Western
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 9, 1931, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 8, 2017
Runtime: 2h 11m

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