The Pursuit of Happiness

Be the first to write a review

Overview

William Popper Michael Sarrazin is the son of a stockbroker and is thoroughly disenchanted with "the system." So much so that even though he can prove that he ran over a woman in his car entirely by accident, he accepts a sentence for manslaughter. His participation in some prison violence motivates him to attempt to escape, though he has only a week to go on his sentence. Having escaped, he and his old girlfriend Barbara Hershey make a run for Canada. The story is adapted from the novel The Pursuit of Happiness ...
See more details below
DVD (Wide Screen / Subtitled)
$18.95
BN.com price
(Save 5%)$19.99 List Price
Other sellers (DVD)
  • All (19) from $4.77   
  • New (17) from $4.77   
  • Used (2) from $7.27   

More About This Product

Overview

William Popper Michael Sarrazin is the son of a stockbroker and is thoroughly disenchanted with "the system." So much so that even though he can prove that he ran over a woman in his car entirely by accident, he accepts a sentence for manslaughter. His participation in some prison violence motivates him to attempt to escape, though he has only a week to go on his sentence. Having escaped, he and his old girlfriend Barbara Hershey make a run for Canada. The story is adapted from the novel The Pursuit of Happiness by Thomas Rogers. As William's starchy grandmother, Ruth White, notable for her work in To Kill a Mockingbird and Midnight Cowboy makes her last film appearance.
Read More Show Less

Special Features

Closed Caption
Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler
Very much a film of its time, The Pursuit of Happiness might have made some sort of impact on its audience in 1970 but it fails to make much of an impact upon modern viewers. Pursuit is a frustrating movie, because one feels that all involved were attempting a serious critique of society as it existed in 1970, but the result is dull and tedious and that mitigates its effectiveness. Part of the problem is that the lead character is, intentionally, a cipher; he embodies non-involvement and indifference, reflecting a point of view that this is a legitimate response to a nation in turmoil due to rot and corruption that has eaten away at its soul for decades. However, it's difficult to build a compelling film around indifference, especially when that indifference is taken to such an absurd extreme that the character prefers to go to prison rather than defend his actions (or inactions). Had this been treated in an equally absurd fashion, there could have been the potential for pointed satire and amusement; but it's treated seriously, and it simply doesn't wash. For once, Michael Sarrazin has a part that plays to his strengths -- a great look and a vacancy in personality that is just what the part calls for. Robert Mulligan directs with a laidback intensity that perfectly suits the material, but that doesn't transcend it and that ultimately therefore makes it rather a drag.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • Release Date: 9/8/2009
  • UPC: 043396316331
  • Original Release: 1970

    • Rating:

  • Source: Sony Pictures
  • Region Code: 1
  • Presentation: Wide Screen / Subtitled
  • Time: 1:33:00
  • Format: DVD
  • Sales rank: 53,985

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Barbara Hershey Jane Kauffman
Michael Sarrazin William Popper
Ruth White Mrs. Popper
Joseph Attles Holmes
Ted Beniades Traffic Cop
William Devane Pilot
David F. Doyle James Moran
Charles Durning 2nd Guard
Beulah Garrick Josephine
Albert Henderson McArdle
Arthur Hill John Popper
Barnard Hughes Judge Vogel
Robert Klein Melvin Lasher
Ed Kovens 1st Guard
Gilbert Lewis Convict
E.G. Marshall Daniel Lawrence
Rue McClanahan Mrs. O'Mara
Tom Rosqui Defense Attorney Keller
Ed Setrakian Policeman
Jack Somack Judge Palumbo
Sada Thompson Ruth Lawrence
Ralph Waite Detective
Peter White Terence Lawrence
Randy Newman Singer
Technical Credits
Robert Mulligan Director
Folmar Blangsted Editor
Jon Boothe Screenwriter
Dave Grusin Score Composer
George Jenkins Art Director
Richard C. Kratina Cinematographer
Robert Laden Makeup
Dennis L. Maitland Sound/Sound Designer
Randy Newman Songwriter
Arthur Piantadosi Sound/Sound Designer
Ann Roth Costumes/Costume Designer
Ben Rutter Set Decoration/Design
Peter R. Scoppa Asst. Director
Alan Shayne Associate Producer
George L. Sherman Screenwriter
David Susskind Producer
Read More Show Less

Scene Index

Disc #1 -- The Pursuit of Happiness
1. Chapter 1 [8:27]
2. Chapter 2 [7:13]
3. Chapter 3 [8:43]
4. Chapter 4 [7:33]
5. Chapter 5 [8:41]
6. Chapter 6 [7:03]
7. Chapter 7 [7:45]
8. Chapter 8 [7:16]
9. Chapter 9 [8:02]
10. Chapter 10 [8:34]
11. Chapter 11 [5:58]
12. Chapter 12 [7:36]
Read More Show Less

Menu

Disc #1 -- The Pursuit of Happiness
   Play Movie
   Subtitles
      English
      Subtitles Off
   Scene Selections
   Previews
      The Norman Lear Collection
      Columbia Classics Trailer
      The Three Stooges Collection
      The Pursuit of Happiness
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously