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The Power and the Glory

Play trailer Poster for The Power and the Glory 1933 1h 16m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 42 Reviews 56% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
After the suicide of hated industrialist Tom Garner (Spencer Tracy), Henry (Ralph Morgan) discusses his former boss' career. Flashbacks show Tom taking the younger Henry under his wing, teaching him how to stand up for himself, and securing him a spot in the railroad business. As the years pass, Tom is shaken by a labor dispute that leads to many accidental employee deaths, and his home life is touched by a tragedy involving his first wife and a stunning revelation concerning his second.
The Power and the Glory

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Led by strong work from Spencer Tracy, The Power and the Glory movingly depicts its central character's professional and personal triumphs and tragedies.

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Critics Reviews

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Ella H. McCormick Detroit Free Press 05/13/2021
Mr. Tracy's gifts for dramatic work, such as he did in the legitimate theater before he began his picture career, are stressed in the role of Garner which he encompasses with splendid effect. Go to Full Review Robert Randol Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com 05/13/2021
The picture is much better than the average and contains a number of scenes of intense dramatic appeal. Go to Full Review Marjory Adams Boston Globe 05/13/2021
The part is difficult -- almost thankless -- but Tracy is excellent whether he is playing a lovesick boy of 20, an ambitious husband of 30 or a hard and successful business man of 50. Go to Full Review Eleanor Barnes Illustrated Daily News (Los Angeles) 12/17/2021
The Power and the Glory is one of the great pictures of the talkie era. Go to Full Review Francisco J. Ariza Cine-Mundial 05/13/2021
Apart from its value as a well-directed, well-presented and well-filmed photodrama, photographed, "The Power and the Glory" has the additional appeal of offering something different when it comes to cinematographic continuity. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Edward Cushing Brooklyn Daily Eagle 05/13/2021
If the producers of The Power and the Glory has been less concerned to exploit a questionable technical novelty they might have made, of the material provided by Mr. Sturges, a fairly interesting drama. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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david f 04/18/2021 I watched this because it was compared to Citizen Kane but this is really a much more old-fashioned film about a corporate tyrant. It seemed so cinematically primitive as to almost be in the category of a silent film. See more 03/21/2015 A series of "firsts" (first screenplay by Preston Sturges, first starring role for Spencer Tracy) and a fine performance by silent star Colleen Moore make this a must-see, if only for the film's historical importance. See more 12/31/2014 Good performances but a rushed narrative. See more 10/01/2012 tracy's performance really makes this pic worth seeing See more 07/27/2008 Pre-cursor to Citizen Kane: non-linear narrative told in flashback about a wealthy magnate, and there's even a mystery ala Rosebud. Quite well done and surprisingly advanced for 1933, the only weakness is that Willam K. Howard's direction is completely underwheming. See more Read all reviews
The Power and the Glory

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Cast & Crew

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William K. Howard

Director

Spencer Tracy

Tom Garner

Colleen Moore

Sally Garner

Ralph Morgan

Henry

Preston Sturges

Writer
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The Power and the Glory

The Power and the Glory (1933) The Power and the Glory (1933) The Power and the Glory (1933) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis After the suicide of hated industrialist Tom Garner (Spencer Tracy), Henry (Ralph Morgan) discusses his former boss' career. Flashbacks show Tom taking the younger Henry under his wing, teaching him how to stand up for himself, and securing him a spot in the railroad business. As the years pass, Tom is shaken by a labor dispute that leads to many accidental employee deaths, and his home life is touched by a tragedy involving his first wife and a stunning revelation concerning his second.
Director
William K. Howard
Screenwriter
Preston Sturges
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 16m