The Group poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Candice Bergen, Joan Hackett, Elizabeth Hartman, Shirley Knight, Joanna Pettet ... see more see more... , Jessica Walter , Mary-Robin Redd , Kathleen Widdoes , James Broderick , James Congdon , Larry Hagman , Hal Holbrook , Richard Mulligan , Robert Emhardt , Carrie Nye , Philippa Bevans , Leta Bonynge , Marion Brash , Bill Fletcher , George Gaynes , Martha Greenhouse , Russell Hardie , Vincent Harding , Doreen Lang , Baruch Lumet , John O'Leary , Hildy Parks , Polly Rowles , Douglas Rutherford , Truman Smith , Arthur Anderson , Leora Dana , Richard Graham , Ed Holmes

Based on the novel by Mary McCarthy, The Group was one of the slickest, and most highly publicized, cinematic soap operas of the 1960s. Filmed largely in New York, the story charts the exploits of eig... read more read more...ht young women, all of whom graduate from an exclusive Vassar-ish college in the middle of the Depression. Among the talented young actresses making their screen debuts herein are Candice Bergen as Lakey, the group's resident Lesbian; Joan Hackett as Dottie, a repressed socialite who takes up with bohemian artist Dick Brown (Richard Mulligan); Joanna Pettet as Kay, who marries philandering playwright Harald Peterson (Larry Hagman); and Kathleen Widdoes as Helena, the wealthiest of the girls who insists upon proving her value in the workplace. The other girls are Pokey (Marin-Robin Redd), who seems happiest when pregnant; Jessica Walter as Libby, the group's viper-tongued gossip and the darling of the Manhattan literary set (some have suggested that McCarthy based this character on herself); Elizabeth Hartman as Priss, the requisite heart-on-sleeve liberal; and Shirley Knight as Polly, whose bumpy love life culminates in a very colorful engagement party. Hal Holbrook, likewise making his first screen appearance, plays Gus LeRoy. Sumptuously produced, The Group is a bit empty dramatically, though the sheer volume of continuing characters manages to sustain audience interest. (Incidentally, here's a note for "blooper" spotters: wasn't the Pan Am building constructed in the 1950s? ) ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

55% liked it

230 ratings

PG, 2 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Sidney Lumet

Release Date: March 4, 1966

Invite friends to see

Stats: 27 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

The Group The Group The Group The Group
Upload a Photo | View All The Group Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (27)

  • terris85017
    July 27, 2010
    terris85017
    (1966 Director: Sidney Lumet) Only a select few of the many movies I have viewed make it to my "Must See" list, but this is definitely one of them! Although it begins as something of a creeper, old-fashioned and slower moving, the pace quickens as the lives of 8 close female co... read morellege friends from the Class of '33 change and progress. All attended an elite women's college, which does, of course, make them far from the norm of their day (the 1930's up through 1941 and the declaration of war).

    Director Sidney Lumet follows the lives of . Obviously, these are women from privileged families, beautiful women each of them, with strong friendships between them. I hadn't reaized there 8 in total until near the end of the film, when one of the last "hold-outs" finally marries a charming and successful man, and her new husband announces, "WIen I married I didn't realize I was marrying my wife and her 7 friends!"

    Some smashing performances, including the performance of Larry Hagman who co-stars as the alcoholic actor/writer husband of Kay (Joanna Pettet), a vibrant and politically minded young lady. Larry descends into the depths of his alcoholism, cheating and eventually turning to physical abuse of Kay, something Kay has kept a secret from even her close friends.

    Several of these women do marry and at least 3 have children. The rest either do not marry very young or remain childless, a situation somewhat unusual for a woman if you consider the time period==which by the way is pre--WW II! [more review to follow]
  • sepio41
    October 23, 2008
    sepio41
    this film is an antidote to 1939's the women. it's a story of eight vassar graduates and their clashes with society as they try to embody the ideal of the 'modern woman'. some are cowed, other meet a tragic end and some choose to live a life on the margin of society. which is w... read morehich? watch the movie and find out!

View All The Group Reviews

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz
May 20, 2011
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

A high-class soap opera about eight women graduates in 1933 from Vassar. Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Bosley Crowther
May 9, 2005
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Derek Adams
June 24, 2006
Derek Adams, Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

May 24, 2003
Film4

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

This list looks lonely.
Add a suggestion!

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

The Group : Watch Free on TV

The Group Trivia

  • What D.W. Griffith movie is blamed for the rebirth of the KKK in the early 20th century because of its deplorably blatant glorification of the group?  Answer »
  • In the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen who was the one who betrayed the group?  Answer »
  • What are the group of popular girls called in the movie "Mean Girls"?  Answer »
  • What movie was this quote from? "That would mean I would have to sneak away fom the group. I'm like physically incapable of sneaking"  Answer »
More The Group Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for The Group. Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add The Group to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?