There have been some beautiful, poignant, and sometimes even hilarious movies that have addressed theGreat Depression, history’s devastating and crippling economic decade. People all across the world, both the rich and the poor, felt the overwhelming effects of the economic shock that lasted from 1929 to 1939. At the time, cinema was very important in keeping people happy and entertained as a very affordable medium. The period in history has been the subject of countless films, television shows, novels and books, with Tinseltown bigwigs opting to highlight the difficult time via the power of the silver screen.
John Steinbeck’s poignant Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpieceThe Grapes of Wrathfamously depicted the aftermath of the Depression, with the novel famously being adapted into an Oscar-winning 1940 drama. Moviegoers flocked to see theinspiring sports pictureSeabiscuitstarring Tobey Maguire, honoring the prized steed who became a massive source of hope and joy for Americans across the country during the 1930s. These are some of the best movies about the Great Depression.
9Emperor of the North Pole
Lee Marvin delivered a riveting performance as respected drifter A-No.-1 in the earnest 1973 action adventureEmperor of the North Pole, showcasing the hallowed hobo’s impressive skills at train hopping as he also goes toe-to-toe with a no-nonsense conductor in 1930s Oregon during the Great Depression. The good-natured vagabond outmaneuvers the determined train director while also taking a brazen young man under his wing and showing him how to survive during the severe economic downfall.
Emperor of the North Polewas a modest hit upon its initial release but has since gone on to attract new audiences and appreciation.The New York Timescalled it “a fine, elaborately staged action melodrama” that is brimming with “splendid performances,” and its acclaim as an underrated gem has been growing for decades.
8Miller’s Crossing
The Coen brothers directedthe 1990 neo-noir gangster dramaMiller’s Crossing, which centers on an escalating mob war between an Irish and Italian gang in 1929 during the Prohibition, as mob boss Leo O’Bannon (Albert Finney) and his right-hand-man Tom Reagan (Gabriel Bryne) attempt to keep the peace despite mounting tensions.
The critically-lauded Depression era picture depicts Tom’s efforts to play both sides in an effort to stop a full-blown bloodbath from occurring, and both his professional and personal lines become blurred. The Coens paid homage to beloved gangster films likeThe GodfatherandGoodfellasand noirs of cinema’s past, and despite being a box office failure it has since been considered one of the greatest crime movies of all time.
Touting a stellar ensemble cast including Tom Hanks, Paul Newman and Jude Law, the 2002 crime dramaRoad to Perditionis an adaptation of the David Self graphic novel that chronicles a mob enforcer’s quest for revenge after his family is murdered during the Great Depression in 1931.
Related:Road to Perdition: 20 Years Later
Hanks is phenomenal as the formidable enforcer Michael Sullivan, who along with his oldest son take to the streets of Chicago to hunt down the man responsible for the violent act. TheSam Mendes filmwent on to earn six Academy Award nominations (winning for Best Cinematography), and was praised for its poignant representation of the solemn city life during the crippling period in history as well as for its engrossing performances.
6The Grapes of Wrath
Undeniably one of the greatest novel-to-film adaptations of all time is the 1940John Ford masterpieceThe Grapes of Wrath, a riveting retelling of the John Steinbeck Pulitzer Prize-winning creation that follows the poor Oklahoma family the Joads, as they relocate to California for a fresh start after losing their beloved farm during the Great Depression.
Henry Fonda earned an Oscar-nomination for his compelling portrayal of Joads patriarch Tom, who must give up his agricultural trade due to its location in the Dust Bowl in order to find work in a promised land he hopes will be his family’s salvation.The Grapes of Wrathis regarded as one of the best films of all time and earned acclaim for capturing the unimaginable panic, humanity and fear of the heartbreaking era depicted in the Steinbeck classic.
5Cinderella Man
Russell Crowe headlined Ron Howard’s 2005 Oscar-nominated biographical sports dramaCinderella Man, appearing as heavyweight boxing champion James J. Braddock as he fights his way back from professional obscurity by returning to the ring full time in hopes of financially providing for his family during the Depression.
Related:These Are Some Inspiring Movies Based on a True Story
The rags-to-riches tale focuses on the impoverished Braddock’s epic comeback and his thrilling fight and ultimate win against fellow fearsome boxer Maz Baer in 1935, becoming one of the greatest upsets in boxing history.Cinderella Manwas both a critical and commercial success, earning over $108 million at the box office and nabbing a Golden Globe nomination forCrowe for his convincing portrayalof the revered sports figure.
4O Brother, Where Art Thou?
George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson are brilliant as escaped convicts in search of a hallowed buried treasure in the Coen brothers' 2000 hit dramedyO Brother, Where Art Thou?The film centers on the chain gang prisoners in 1930s rural Mississippi as they set out for both their freedom and a lucrative payout in the form of a mysterious cash loot.
The trio come in contact with a slew of eccentric characters of various backgrounds on their wild journey, witnessing the bleak impact of the Depression first-hand as they attempt to evade a ruthless country sheriff. The Coen brothers' underrated gem (with a hit soundtrack) drew inspiration from Homer’s Greek epic poemThe Odysseyand was one of the first films to utilize digital color correction that gave it a distinct autumnal sepia-tinted appearance on-screen.
3Modern Times
Legendary cinema icon Charlie Chaplin wrote, directed and starred in the 1936 satirical black comedyModern Times, in which the celebrated performer appeared as the Tramp character for the final time in a story that offers a profound look at the working conditions and desperate financial situations of millions of people during the Great Depression.
Chaplin came up with the idea of the picture after witnessing the grim state of Europe during the economic shock, and after having a lively debate regarding modern technology with Mahatma Gandhi.Modern Timeswas the sensational actor’s first time being heard on-screen and went on to become one of the highest-grossing releases of 1936; in 2002 it was voted by theNational Society of Film Critics’list of the “Top 100 Essential Films of All Time.”
2Seabiscuit
Chronicling the inspiring life of the eponymous Thoroughbred race horse who became a beacon of hope for millions of Americans during the Depression, the 2003 sports dramaSeabiscuitrecounts the media sensation’s exceptional rise to racing prominence despite being an undersized and previously unnoticed contender.
Tobey Maguire appearsas the famous horse’s racing jockey John “Red” Pollard, winning numerous competitions and the country’s adoration alongside the uplifting steed. The moving drama resonated with critics and audiences everywhere, with theChicago Tribunedeclaring in their glowing review, “Sleek, beautiful and packed with emotion, not too flashy but full of heart, this is a movie worthy of its unlikely yet glorious subject.”
1Paper Moon
Father/daughter duo Ryan and Tatum O’Neal star in Peter Bogdanovich’s lauded 1973 road dramedyPaper Moon, an adaptation of the Joe David Brown novel that focuses on savvy con artists Moses Pray and Addie Loggins as they cheat their way across the desolate Kansas and Missouri landscapes in 1936. Along their entertaining journey, the unlikely partners develop an endearing bond that helps transcend the bleak and devastating backdrop of an America ravaged by the Depression.
Shot in black-and-white, the picture earned praise for its absorbing subject matter, humor, superb performances and realistic depiction of poverty. Tatum went on to become the youngest competitive Academy Award winner so far, nabbing the Best Supporting Actress Oscar at just 10-years-old.
