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The Graduate

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The Graduate
Company typeIndependent film
IndustryFilm
FoundedDecember 21, 1967; 58 years ago (1967-12-21)
FounderMike Nichols (director), Buck Henry (screenwriter), Calder Willingham (screenwriter)
Headquarters
United States
ProductsRomantic comedy-drama film

The Graduate is a 1967 American independent film blending romantic comedy and drama, directed by Mike Nichols and scripted by Buck Henry and Calder Willingham. It adapts the 1963 novella authored by Charles Webb. The story follows Benjamin Braddock, portrayed by Dustin Hoffman, a newly graduated college student who becomes involved with an older, married woman, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), before developing feelings for her daughter Elaine (Katharine Ross). The movie’s soundtrack prominently features tracks by Simon & Garfunkel, including the well-known song "Mrs. Robinson".

Premiering on December 21, 1967, The Graduate earned $104.9 million domestically, securing its position as the top-grossing film in North America for that year. When adjusted for inflation as of 2021, this revenue equates to approximately $857 million, placing it 22nd among the highest-earning films in the United States and Canada. At the 40th Academy Awards, the film received seven nominations and won Best Director for Nichols.

In 1996, The Graduate was chosen for inclusion in the U.S. National Film Registry due to its significant cultural, historical, and artistic impact. The subsequent year, the American Film Institute ranked it as the seventh greatest American motion picture, later adjusting its position to seventeenth in 2007. It continues to be acknowledged as one of cinema’s most influential and acclaimed works.

Plot

Following his college graduation, Benjamin Braddock returns to his family residence in Pasadena, California. During his graduation celebration, Mrs. Robinson—the spouse of his father’s business partner—asks Benjamin to drive her home and attempts to seduce him. Although he initially resists, he later invites her to meet at the Taft Hotel under the alias Gladstone.

Benjamin spends the summer idly lounging by his parents' pool while maintaining secret meetings with Mrs. Robinson at the hotel. She confides that she married Mr. Robinson after becoming pregnant with their daughter Elaine under unintended circumstances. When Benjamin jokingly mentions dating Elaine, Mrs. Robinson sternly forbids it.

Encouraged by his parents and Mr. Robinson, Benjamin is urged to pursue Elaine. Reluctantly agreeing to a date, he deliberately behaves coldly and drives recklessly to discourage her. Distressed, Elaine leaves in tears; Benjamin apologizes and they connect over their shared uncertainties during a late-night drive-in meal. At the Taft Hotel, Elaine suspects Benjamin is involved with another woman; he admits to an affair with a married lady but withholds her identity, assuring Elaine it has ended and requesting another meeting.

Mrs. Robinson threatens exposure of the affair to prevent Benjamin from seeing Elaine. To counter this threat, Benjamin reveals to Elaine that the married woman is her mother. Hurt, Elaine rejects him and returns to Berkeley. Benjamin follows her there seeking reconciliation. Initially rebuffing him and dating a medical student named Carl, Elaine changes her mind after discovering her mother falsely accused Benjamin of assault. They reunite, and Benjamin proposes marriage; however, Elaine remains uncertain.

Mr. Robinson confronts Benjamin at Berkeley, announcing his impending divorce from Mrs. Robinson and warning that legal action will follow if Benjamin continues pursuing Elaine. He compels Elaine to leave college and marry Carl.

Benjamin attempts to find Elaine at the Robinson household but is informed he cannot prevent the wedding. He rushes back to Berkeley only to learn that the ceremony will take place in Santa Barbara that same day. Driving over 300 miles in haste, his car runs out of fuel near the church.

Arriving just as the wedding concludes, Benjamin’s desperate presence motivates Elaine to defy her mother and escape with him. A physical confrontation ensues between Benjamin and Mr. Robinson; Benjamin then blocks the church doors using a large cross, trapping guests inside. Together, Benjamin and Elaine flee on a bus—Elaine still wearing her wedding dress—while their initial elation gradually gives way to apprehension about their uncertain future.

Cast

Uncredited minor roles featured appearances by Richard Dreyfuss, Ben Murphy, Mike Farrell, Kevin Tighe, and Noam Pitlik.

Production

Director Mike Nichols encountered difficulties obtaining funding due to his relatively unknown status in Hollywood and studios' unfavorable responses to the original material. Producer Lawrence Turman was adamant about having Nichols direct and ultimately secured financial support from Joseph E. Levine, who was convinced by Nichols' earlier accomplishments and Elizabeth Taylor's endorsement.

Despite Buck Henry lacking formal screenwriting credentials, Nichols recommended him for the scriptwriting role; Henry received $150,000 plus one-sixth of the film's profits.

Casting

For the character of Mrs. Robinson, Nichols initially pursued French actress Jeanne Moreau, intending to capitalize on the trope of French women as seductive mentors to younger men. Several actresses declined the part, including Doris Day, who opposed the nudity requirement; other contenders included Shelley Winters, Ingrid Bergman, and Ava Gardner.

Dustin Hoffman, approaching 30 and primarily known for comedic roles, was cast as Benjamin Braddock after an audition that impressed Nichols despite Hoffman’s initial uncertainty and limited experience with romantic scenes. Hoffman earned $20,000 but took home only $4,000 after expenses and briefly received unemployment benefits.

Prior to Hoffman's casting, actors considered included Robert Redford—viewed as too polished for the underdog role—and Charles Grodin, who turned down the part due to salary and preparation time concerns. Other potential candidates were Harrison Ford, Burt Ward (occupied with Batman), Jack Nicholson, Steve McQueen, Anthony Perkins, Warren Beatty, George Peppard, George Hamilton, Keir Dullea, Brandon deWilde, and Michael Parks.

William Daniels was selected for the role of Mr. Braddock; Ronald Reagan was also under consideration. Gene Hackman was originally cast as Mr. Robinson but was replaced by Murray Hamilton following rehearsals; Hackman later expressed his disappointment over being dismissed.

Interestingly, Anne Bancroft and Katharine Ross portrayed mother and daughter despite only an eight-year age difference; Bancroft and Hoffman were separated by less than six years in age.

Filming

The cinematography was guided by director Mike Nichols’ choice of Oscar-winning cinematographer Robert Surtees. Surtees, whose career began in the 1920s and included landmark films such as Ben-Hur, commented on the project's difficulty: "It demanded everything I had learned over three decades to accomplish this work. Mike Nichols was a young director who favored extensive camera movement. We executed more techniques on this film than I ever had before."

Many outdoor scenes set on a university campus representing Berkeley were actually filmed at the brick-lined University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles. The wedding sequence took place at the United Methodist Church in La Verne, California. Dustin Hoffman later admitted feeling uneasy during the scene where he pounds on the church window while being observed disapprovingly by the minister. This memorable wedding scene drew inspiration from the conclusion of the 1924 comedy Girl Shy, with Harold Lloyd—both star and consultant on that film—advising on its staging.

Music

The movie played a crucial role in elevating the fame of Simon & Garfunkel, the renowned folk-rock pair. During the initial editing phase, Nichols and O'Steen utilized some of their pre-existing tracks, such as "The Sound of Silence", to help set the film's rhythm. Eventually, Nichols decided to incorporate these songs into the official soundtrack, a relatively rare choice for that era.

Producer Lawrence Turman commissioned Simon to compose three original songs specifically for the film. By the time editing was nearly complete, Simon had managed to finish only one new piece, attributing the delay to his demanding tour schedule. He briefly mentioned a new composition reflecting on "times past," referencing personalities like Eleanor Roosevelt and Joe DiMaggio. Nichols then encouraged him to concentrate on creating "Mrs. Robinson," a song that better captured the movie’s central themes.[1]

Release

The Graduate made its debut on December 20, 1967, with simultaneous screenings at New York City's Coronet Theatre and Lincoln Art Theatre. The film saw a wider release starting December 21, 1967.[2]

Home media

The Graduate was first released on DVD by MGM Home Entertainment in 1999 and again in 2007. Its inaugural Blu-ray edition was issued by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment in 2009, followed by a release through StudioCanal in 2010.[3] A digitally restored version in 4K quality was made available by The Criterion Collection in 2016.[4] An Ultra HD Blu-ray edition is scheduled for release by StudioCanal in September 2025.[5]

Critical response

Upon its initial release, The Graduate garnered largely favorable reviews from critics. A.D. Murphy of Variety described it as a "delightful satirical comedy drama," while Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times hailed it as the "funniest American comedy of the year."

Conversely, Richard Schickel writing for Life believed that although the film began with sharp satire targeting the alienation of contemporary youth, it eventually capitulated to the very mindset it aimed to critique. Meanwhile, Pauline Kael questioned how the movie managed to market innocence as a commodity appealing to younger viewers.

Although critical acclaim persists, it has occasionally been more measured over time. For instance, during its thirtieth-anniversary re-release, Ebert reassessed his earlier praise, adopting a more critical perspective on Benjamin and showing increased empathy for Mrs. Robinson—a shift he attributed to maturity and experience. Alongside Gene Siskel, he gave a positive yet cautious review on Siskel & Ebert. The film’s position on the American Film Institute’s list declined from seventh place in 1997 to seventeenth in 2007; nonetheless, Lang Thompson argued that it "hasn't aged significantly."

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, The Graduate holds an approval rating of 86% based on 87 critiques, with an average score of 8.90/10. The site's consensus emphasizes its memorable soundtrack, strong performances, and authentic portrayal of post-collegiate disillusionment as major assets. Similarly, Metacritic assigns the film a score of 83 out of 100 from 19 critics, signifying "universal acclaim."

In popular culture

The Graduate has become a frequent point of reference across various media, including movies, television series, music videos, and advertising. The memorable wedding interruption scene, where Benjamin departs with Elaine, has been humorously imitated in programs such as Family Guy ("When You Wish Upon a Weinstein"), The Simpsons ("Lady Bouvier's Lover"), Archer ("Skin Game"), New Girl ("Elaine's Big Day"), and The Office ("Two Weeks").

This particular scene received notable parody treatment in the film Wayne's World 2, as well as being alluded to in music videos for "Love Action (I Believe in Love)" by The Human League, "If You Go" by Jon Secada, and the track "Crashed the Wedding" by Busted. Additionally, it was featured in the 1998 UK Renault Clio campaign starring Papa and Nicole and included in the 1999 movie The Other Sister.

The seductive moment featuring Benjamin’s leg framing has also been satirized in episodes of Roseanne ("David and Goliath") and The Simpsons ("Lisa's Substitute"), underscoring its enduring cultural significance.

Benjamin’s vehicle, an Alfa Romeo Spider, inspired Alfa Romeo to release a "Spider Graduate" model marketed in the United States between 1985 and 1990.

In the 1992 film The Player, Buck Henry presents a tongue-in-cheek pitch for a sequel to The Graduate, exemplifying Hollywood’s fascination with high-concept projects.

Anne Bancroft’s seductive dialogue from the film is sampled in George Michael’s 1992 single "Too Funky." To celebrate the movie’s 25th anniversary, alternative rock group The Lemonheads produced a punk-infused rendition of Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson," accompanied by a music video featuring clips from the original film.

The 1996 comedy Kingpin parodied the iconic leg-framed shot and incorporated "The Sound of Silence" following a pivotal moment.

Dustin Hoffman revisited the wedding scene for a 2004 commercial by Audi, portraying an older Benjamin who interrupts his daughter’s wedding ceremony.

The 2005 romantic comedy Rumor Has It, starring Jennifer Aniston and Kevin Costner, revolves around a woman uncovering her family’s potential ties to both the novel and film versions of The Graduate.

Lastly, (500) Days of Summer includes a sequence where the main character watches The Graduate, mistakenly interpreting its conclusion, which reflects his own romantic innocence.

Accolades

Award Category Nominee(s) Result
Academy Awards Best Picture Lawrence Turman Template:Nom
Best Director Mike Nichols Template:Won
Best Actor Dustin Hoffman Template:Nom
Best Actress Anne Bancroft Template:Nom
Best Supporting Actress Katharine Ross Template:Nom
Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium Buck Henry and Calder Willingham Template:Nom
Best Cinematography Robert L. Surtees Template:Nom
British Academy Film Awards Best Film Mike Nichols Template:Won
Best Direction Template:Won
Best Actress in a Leading Role Anne Bancroft Template:Nom
Best Screenplay Buck Henry and Calder Willingham Template:Won
Best Editing Sam O'Steen Template:Won
Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles Dustin Hoffman Template:Won
Katharine Ross Template:Nom
Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Mike Nichols Template:Won
Golden Globe Awards Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy Template:Won
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy Dustin Hoffman Template:Nom
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy Anne Bancroft Template:Won
Best Director – Motion Picture Mike Nichols Template:Won
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture Buck Henry and Calder Willingham Template:Nom
Most Promising Newcomer – Male Dustin Hoffman Template:Won
Most Promising Newcomer – Female Katharine Ross Template:Won
Grammy Awards Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special Dave Grusin and Paul Simon Template:Won
Laurel Awards Top Comedy Template:Nom
Top Male Comedy Performance Dustin Hoffman Template:Nom
Top Female Dramatic Performance Anne Bancroft Template:Nom
Top Female Supporting Performance Katharine Ross Template:Won
National Board of Review Awards National Board of Review: Top Ten Films Template:Draw
National Film Preservation Board National Film Registry Template:Won
New York Film Critics Circle Awards Best Film Template:Nom
Best Director Mike Nichols Template:Won
Best Screenplay Buck Henry and Calder Willingham Template:Nom 
 Online Film & Television Association Awards 

 colspan="2"|
 Hall of Fame – Motion Picture 

 Template:Won 

 
Producers Guild of America Awards 

 PGA Hall of Fame – Motion Pictures 

 Lawrence Turman – The Graduate 

 Template:Won 

 rowspan="2"|
 
Satellite Awards 

 
Best Classic DVD 

 rowspan="2"|
 The Graduate: 40th Anniversary Edition 

 Template:Won 

 
Best DVD Extras 

  Template:Nom 

  
   Writers Guild of America Awards 

  
   Best Written American Comedy 

  Buck Henry and Calder Willingham 

  Template:Won

In recognition of its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance, The Graduate was inducted into the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 1996. It holds the position of #22 among the highest-grossing films in U.S. history when adjusted for inflation.

This film is included in the reference book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die and appears on several American Film Institute compilations:

  • AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies (1998) – ranked #7
  • AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs (2000) – ranked #9
  • AFI's 100 Years...100 Passions (2002) – ranked #52
  • AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs (2004): "Mrs. Robinson" placed at #6
  • AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes (2005): "Plastics." (#42) and "Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me. Aren't you?" (#63)
  • AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition, 2007) – ranked #17

Stage adaptation

Terry Johnson crafted a theatrical version of the original novel and film, which was performed on London's West End, Broadway, and included a U.S. tour as well as a Brazilian adaptation by Miguel Falabella. Distinguished actresses who have portrayed Mrs. Robinson include Kathleen Turner, Lorraine Bracco, Jerry Hall, Amanda Donohoe, Morgan Fairchild, Anne Archer, Vera Fischer, Patricia Richardson, and Linda Gray.

This stage production integrates additional scenes and content derived from both the novel and the film. Its musical score features Simon & Garfunkel tracks not originally in the movie, such as "Bridge Over Troubled Water," along with songs by The Byrds and The Beach Boys. The West End run commenced at the Gielgud Theatre on April 5, 2000, with Kathleen Turner in the role of Mrs. Robinson. Turner was succeeded by Jerry Hall in July 2000, followed by Amanda Donohoe in February 2001, Anne Archer in June 2001, and Linda Gray beginning October 2001. The show concluded its run in January 2002. Glynis Barber led the 2003 UK tour.

Opening on Broadway at the Plymouth Theatre on April 4, 2002, the production closed on March 2, 2003 after a total of 380 performances. Directed by Johnson himself, the cast featured Jason Biggs as Benjamin Braddock, Alicia Silverstone portraying Elaine Robinson, and Kathleen Turner reprising Mrs. Robinson. Despite its run, the play did not receive any award nominations. Linda Gray briefly assumed the role from Turner in September 2002 before Lorraine Bracco took over from November 19, 2002.

In July 2011, The Graduate was staged at Cape Playhouse in Dennis, Massachusetts with Patricia Richardson starring.

Possible sequel

Charles Webb authored a follow-up novel titled Home School, but initially refrained from full publication due to contractual restrictions dating back to the 1960s. Upon selling the film rights for The Graduate, he forfeited rights to any sequels. Releasing Home School could enable the French media company holding the film rights, Canal+, to produce an adaptation without Webb’s approval. Portions of the book were published in The Times on May 2, 2006. Webb suggested he might publish the entire novel if he could recover film rights under French copyright laws. On May 30, 2006, The Times announced Webb had secured a publishing agreement with Random House for Home School, intending to facilitate legal steps to regain his rights. The book was eventually published in the United Kingdom in 2007.

See also

Bibliography

External links

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