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Trailer

Porgy and Bess

1959Movie2 h 18 minNR

DramaMusic
63
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb6.9Metacritic77–Rotten Tomatoes71%77%
63
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb6.9Metacritic77–Rotten Tomatoes71%77%

Summary

In the early 1900s, the fictional Catfish Row section of Charleston, South Carolina serves as home to a black fishing community. Crippled beggar Porgy, who travels about in a goat-drawn cart, loves the drug-addicted Bess, who lives with stevedore Crown, the local bully.

Good for

  • Date night
  • Family movie night
  • Friends night

Where to watch

Set your services

Not streaming in any country yet.

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Not for laughs, scares or adrenaline.

Movies with

Cast

14 of 14

Crew

Directed by
Otto Preminger
Written by
N. Richard Nash
Produced by
Samuel Goldwyn
Music by
Ken Darby, George Gershwin

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

June 24, 1959 · 2 h 18 min · NR

Released
June 24, 1959
Runtime
2 h 18 min
Age rating
NR
Content
Violence, Drug Use, Strong Language
Genres
Music, Drama, Romance
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$7 million
Box office
$4 million

Tropes

For Doom the Bell Tolls, Chekhov's Gun, Evil Sounds Deep +9

Q&A

6 questions, like "Is Porgy and Bess worth watching?"

Questions about Porgy and Bess

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Is Porgy and Bess worth watching?

63
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 63 (IMDb 6.9, Rotten Tomatoes 71%, and Metacritic 77).

Is Porgy and Bess okay for kids?

NRViolenceDrug useStrong language

Yes: it's rated NR in the United States for violence, drug use, and strong language, and the viewing guide lists it for family nights.

Is Porgy and Bess good for date night?

and 4 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFamily Movie NightFriends Night

Yes: romance is 8 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

Is Porgy and Bess plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on pathos (9 of 10) and character depth (7 of 10) more than on its plot.

Was Porgy and Bess a box office flop?

Budget$7 million
Box office$4 million

Yes: it cost about $7 million to make and earned $4 million worldwide, 50% of its budget.

What tropes does Porgy and Bess use?

For Doom the Bell TollsChekhov's GunEvil Sounds DeepGrief Song"The Villain Sucks" SongMonochrome CastingLeitmotifMama BearReligion Rant SongCulturally Sensitive AdaptationPet the DogCircling Vulturesand 26 more

TV Tropes lists 38 tropes for it, including For Doom the Bell Tolls, Chekhov's Gun, and Evil Sounds Deep.