The Crowd (1928)
King Vidor's landmark silent drama about one ordinary man's struggle for meaning, love, and dignity against the crushing indifference of modern city life.
The Crowd - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Crowd
- Release Year: 1928
- Directed by: King Vidor
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 38m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: No Language
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 3, 1928 (Canada - PG), March 3, 1928 (United States - NR)
- Alternative Titles: 군중들 (KR), Mensch der Masse (DE), Y el mundo marcha (ES), A Turba (BR)
- Production Companies: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Crowd - Plot
John, an ambitious but undisciplined New York City office worker, meets and marries Mary. They start a family, struggle to cope with marital stress, financial setbacks, and tragedy, all while lost amid the anonymous, pitiless throngs of the big city.
The Crowd - Trailer
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A Motion Picture with a stirring message on Marriage! A Powerful Film, full of truths of life and love!
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The Crowd - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- King Vidor
Main Cast
- Eleanor Boardman
- James Murray
- Bert Roach
- Estelle Clark
- Daniel G. Tomlinson
- Dell Henderson
- Lucy Beaumont
- Freddie Burke Frederick
- Alice Mildred Puter
- John D. Bloss
Writers
- King Vidor
- John V.A. Weaver
Producers
- Irving Thalberg
The Crowd - FAQs
Where can you stream The Crowd for free?
The Crowd is available to stream for free on Tubi TV (with ads) and Fawesome. As a 1928 silent film now in the public domain, it is widely accessible online. You can compare all current viewing options available in your region via JustWatch.
What is The Crowd (1928) about?
The Crowd follows John Sims, an ambitious but ordinary New York City office worker who marries Mary and starts a family. The film traces their struggles with financial hardship, marital tension, and personal tragedy, exploring how individuals can feel invisible within the relentless machinery of modern urban life.
Is The Crowd considered a masterpiece of silent cinema?
Yes. The Crowd is widely regarded as one of the greatest silent films ever made. King Vidor's unflinching portrayal of ordinary American life earned the film two Academy Award nominations in 1929, and it consistently appears on critics' lists of the most important films in cinema history.
What does the ending of The Crowd mean?
The film's final image — John and Mary laughing in a theater audience, dissolving into the anonymous crowd — is deeply ambiguous. It suggests both a fragile moment of happiness and the inescapable truth that individuals are ultimately swallowed by society, offering neither triumphant resolution nor outright despair.
Who are the lead actors in The Crowd?
The Crowd stars Eleanor Boardman as Mary Sims and James Murray as John 'Johnny' Sims. The supporting cast includes Bert Roach, Estelle Clark, Daniel G. Tomlinson, Dell Henderson, and Lucy Beaumont. James Murray's naturalistic performance as the everyman protagonist is considered one of silent cinema's finest.
Who directed The Crowd and when was it released?
The Crowd was directed by King Vidor and released on March 3, 1928, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Vidor also co-wrote the screenplay with John V.A. Weaver. The film was produced by Irving Thalberg and shot by cinematographer Henry Sharp.
What is the age rating and runtime of The Crowd?
The Crowd is rated NR (Not Rated), as it predates the modern film rating system. The film runs approximately 98 minutes. Despite its silent-era origins, its themes of marital struggle, financial hardship, and personal loss remain emotionally resonant and suitable for mature audiences.
What films are similar to The Crowd (1928)?
Viewers who appreciate The Crowd often enjoy Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927), The Gold Rush (1925), and Battleship Potemkin (1925) for their silent-era artistry. Modern films exploring similar themes of urban alienation and ordinary lives include Requiem for a Dream (2000) and Do the Right Thing (1989).
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