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The Pumpkin Eater

Play trailer Poster for The Pumpkin Eater Released Nov 9, 1964 1h 50m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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69% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Jo (Anne Bancroft) leaves the banality of her marriage to second husband Giles (Richard Johnson) to wed her screenwriter lover, Jake Armitage (Peter Finch), but insists her new husband adhere to her strict marital ideals. Though their relationship is passionate, Jo, now a mother of six, begins to feel stifled in her role as a doting homemaker -- and increasingly isolated from Peter, who is filming on location in Morocco. Jo's sanity is shaken when it seems Peter is not being faithful.
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The Pumpkin Eater

Critics Reviews

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Bosley Crowther New York Times It might make for valid drama if Mr. Pinter had done a half‐way job of establishing this insecure woman on firm psychological ground. Aug 1, 2015 Full Review TIME Magazine In this slow, strong, incisive film version of the book, the ironing out of a well-kept wife's unkempt psyche is portrayed with harrowing perception by Anne Bancroft. Aug 1, 2015 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Anne Bancroft is exceptionally good... The role may sound conventional enough, but not as played by Bancroft; she adds a depth and understanding which puts it on a higher plane. Feb 13, 2009 Full Review Kat Halstead Common Sense Media There are moments of humor, too, despite the heavy material, and a beautiful full-circle moment that manages to avoid feeling cheesy or forced, lending a sense of some hope and understanding to an otherwise weighty watch. Sep 25, 2024 Full Review Joan Didion Vogue There are no easy answers here, no inadvertent banality, nothing off-key. Anne Bancroft gives a flawless performance. Mar 16, 2020 Full Review Merl Edelman Los Angeles Free Press Miss Bancroft's performance is in a class few besides Garbo and Ingrid Bergman have ever achieved on the screen. Jan 24, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dante H Great cast and brilliant performances, very 60s london. One of my top favourite films. There is nothing that I can fault- direction, cinematography, screenplay, performances.... Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/14/25 Full Review with g I saw Bancroft's persona as being vacuous and recognized my younger self in her character. As such, I found her behaviour too predictable. I didn't enjoy it and when it was done, was annoyed that I had watched the entire thing. Alternately I found Finch very attractive. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 10/09/24 Full Review Audience Member Fascinating story of a marriage. Anne Bancroft and Peter Finch Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/23/21 Full Review steve d Besides some good performances the film is a mess and really unpleasant. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Among the most provocative portrayals of a woman I've ever witnessed. Clayton uses every technique in the book to reach out and touch the audience. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Audience Member A powerful performance from Anne Bancroft and her best performance I've seen her give. Peter Finch is also great but Bancroft commands this movie. The directing, cinematography, score, and writing are wonderful and it was a captivating watch. It slows down towards the end but it is a strong movie overall Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Pumpkin Eater

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Cast & Crew

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Jack Clayton

Director

Anne Bancroft

Jo Armitage

Peter Finch

Jake Armitage

James Mason

Bob Conway

Cedric Hardwicke

Mr. James

Alan Webb

Mr. Armitage

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The Pumpkin Eater

The Pumpkin Eater (1964) The Pumpkin Eater (1964) The Pumpkin Eater (1964) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Jo (Anne Bancroft) leaves the banality of her marriage to second husband Giles (Richard Johnson) to wed her screenwriter lover, Jake Armitage (Peter Finch), but insists her new husband adhere to her strict marital ideals. Though their relationship is passionate, Jo, now a mother of six, begins to feel stifled in her role as a doting homemaker -- and increasingly isolated from Peter, who is filming on location in Morocco. Jo's sanity is shaken when it seems Peter is not being faithful.
Director
Jack Clayton
Producer
James Woolf
Screenwriter
Harold Pinter
Distributor
Columbia Home Video, Royal Films International
Production Co
Romulus Films Ltd.
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 9, 1964, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 15, 2010
Runtime
1h 50m
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