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Written on the Wind

1956·Movie
1h 39min·NR
79
GreatGoodWatch score

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Written on the Wind fingerprint

Strong craft, striking style, a touch of humor.

Energy

Tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension7
  • Spectacle6
  • Adrenaline5

Heart

Romantic and melancholic

Much of it is about family.

  • Family Dynamics9
  • Romance8
  • Melancholy8

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Satire & Parody3
  • Dark Humor3

World

Family, the mind, and society

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and characters

  • Direction8
  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8

Style

Standout cinematography

  • Cinematography9
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchThought-Provoking

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You need an uplifting moodYou want fast pacing

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

This woman in his arms was now the wife of the man he called his best friend!

Mitch Wayne is a geologist working for the Hadleys, an oil-rich Texas family. While the patriarch, Jasper, works hard to establish the family business, his irresponsible son, Kyle, is an alcoholic playboy, and his daughter, Marylee, is the town tramp. Mitch harbors a secret love for Kyle's unsatisfied wife, Lucy -- a fact that leaves him exposed when the jealous Marylee accuses him of murder.
MelodramaTexas Oil FamilySecrets and JealousyForbidden LovePsychological TensionLustrous CinematographySocial CommentaryTragic Fate

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Written on the Wind

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Written on the Wind legally?

You can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Written on the Wind worth watching?

79
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 80/100 (IMDb 7.3, Rotten Tomatoes 88%, and Metacritic 86). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Written on the Wind rated?

NRSexual contentStrong language

It's rated NR in the United States. Content advisories: sexual content and strong language.

How long is Written on the Wind?

1 h 39 min

Written on the Wind runs 1 h 39 min.

Is Written on the Wind based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

Do critics and audiences agree on Written on the Wind?

Critics87
Audiences73

Not quite. Critics rate Written on the Wind higher (87) than audiences (73). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was Written on the Wind a box office hit?

Budget$1 million
Box office$4 million

Yes. It cost about $1 million to make and earned $4 million worldwide, 3.3 times its budget.

What language is Written on the Wind in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Written on the Wind?

42ARATBEBOBRBZCACHCLCOCRDEECES+28

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Written on the Wind in 42 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Written on the Wind use?

The AlcoholicVideo CreditsDeath by DespairGun StruggleMy Sister Is Off-LimitsGreen-Eyed MonsterBittersweet EndingLike Brother and SisterReally Gets AroundMissing MomStalker with a CrushLove Dodecahedronand 9 more

TV Tropes lists 21 storytelling tropes for Written on the Wind, including The Alcoholic, Video Credits, Death by Despair.