The history of mankind is impossible to forget. Archives, historical notes, and other writings save the reminding about the periods how people live, about the political and economical situations in the world. The appearance of cinematography allowed people not only to read about the past times but also to see what was happening. Documental and entertaining films give people an understanding of people’s lives, which keeps our memory and imagination work. The film “The Grapes of Wrath” is one of the examples when the historical events and politico-economical conditions are taken as the basis.
The film “The Grapes of Wrath” was directed by John Ford. The film was based on John Steinbeck’s novel “The Grapes of Wrath”, but to the word, the ends of the film and of the book are different. The film tells about the times of the Great Depression in America in the 1930s. Being turned out by the crisis, ruined farmers from Oklahoma are searching for a better life in California. But their hopes were vain and they do not get happiness and calmness in the new place. The Great Depression follows them, ruining more and more people’s lives on its way, and reaches these farmers again.
The film is concentrated on Tom Joad, who was released from prison and went back home with the hope to start a new and happy life. But it did not appear to happen. Coming home he sees all that disaster and poverty, where his family appeared. Watching the picture of his return, it is greatly understood the condition of the whole society. Even if the local preacher had lost his faith, there is nothing to tell about other people whose level of belief was on the lower level. Believing in a better life in other regions, people go to California. The journey was difficult and as they did not receive the satisfaction and desirable result from it also appears to be useless.
The main idea is to fight: for the rights, for the freedom, for the ability to live. Watching on Tom Joad, it is impossible to avoid being captured by his power and desire to survive. He had to suffer a lot, the difficulties on the road, which included Grandpa’s death and the conflicts in the camps. But he managed to sustain, moreover, his soul and mind were full of resolute decisions to survive. All in him fulfilled the souls of others with the courage and resolute which he had in him.
The most expressive moment, as for me is the depiction of transient migrant campgrounds. The whole situation was very emotional. The first sign of disappointment appeared when Tom Joad and his family met a man who was coming from California. They could not believe his stories about the same bad situation in the West, the there is also no work there, that people are starving, without places to live in and without means of subsistence. It is possible to understand Tom Joad as he and his family lived only by those hopes did not want to ruin them so soon.
Having come to the camp the last hopes disappeared. There were no people who could have a prosperous look. Frankly speaking, it is the worst thing when hopes are ruined. People believe in something, they live only by this hole and such disillusionment is a great blow, which some people are unable to sustain. Considering such a situation two types of people can be identified, those who have power and those who do not. Tom Joad had that power, he managed to sustain that blow and be ready to fight further to achieve what he wanted.
The film finishes with optimistic notes. Tom Joad is ready to fight; his aim now was to find a new world, to fight for social reform and he was sure of the succeeding outcome of that affair. The end of the film is rather optimistic in spite of the surrounding atmosphere of disaster, poverty, and disappointment. Tom says that he is ready to fight, that leaving his family (which was the necessary condition to join the movement which was following the aim to commit social justice) he still will be near them, he will be everywhere. In the places where people will fight for their rights and justice, where police will beat people, he will be there. The more important that he will be there where people will get what they want, that people will be able to eat, to work and to sleep in their houses, he will be there. These words are very powerful, they give moral satisfaction and fill souls with the same energy and desire for life.
“The Grapes of Wrath” is the first film in America that is considered to be a not sentimental film about simple people. Henry Fond, Tom Joad in the film, managed to open one of the main features of the American national character – searching for truth and justice. Introducing the great number of people who have driven away from all over the country, he serves as the personification of their searching for social justice. The film may be bravely called the classical movie, which is impossible to miss.