The Pumpkin Eater

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The Pumpkin Eater

Released Nov 9, 1964

1h 50m

Drama

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69%

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16 Reviews

72%

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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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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

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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

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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

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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

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Joan Didion

Vogue

There are no easy answers here, no inadvertent banality, nothing off-key. Anne Bancroft gives a flawless performance.

Mar 16, 2020

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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

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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

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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

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Audience Member

Fascinating story of a marriage. Anne Bancroft and Peter Finch

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/23/21

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steve d

Besides some good performances the film is a mess and really unpleasant.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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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

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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

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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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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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