The Graduate

The Graduate is a 1967 American movie based on a novel by Charles Webb, and directed by Mike Nichols. It is set in Southern California.

In the movie and book, a recent college graduate (played by Dustin Hoffman) is seduced by Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), the wife of his father's business partner. He later falls in love with their daughter Elaine (Katharine Ross).

The movie was Hoffman's first major role (it was his second role). He was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance.

The soundtrack album contained music by folk duo Simon and Garfunkel, and replaced The Beatles's White Album for the number one position (most sales) on the music charts.

Scenes from The Graduate have been well-remembered by many people, since it appeared. In one of them, one-word advice for corporate success ("Plastics") is given by a family friend of Benjamin's. (Reportedly, sales of stock in plastics companies jumped in the months after the movie appeared.) Another scene, where Ben tries to stop Elaine from marrying another man, has been imitated and parodied in television programs, including the cartoon series Daria.

In 1998, a play based on the movie premiered in London and on Broadway; its stars included Kathleen Turner, Alicia Silverstone and Morgan Fairchild.

Cast

Anne Bancroft as Mrs. Robinson
Dustin Hoffman as Benjamin Braddock
Katharine Ross as Elaine Robinson
William Daniels as Mr. Braddock
Murray Hamilton as Mr. Robinson
Elizabeth Wilson as Mrs. Braddock
Buck Henry as Hotel Clerk
Walter Brooke as Mr. McGuire
Brian Avery as Carl Smith
Norman Fell as Mr. McCleery
Marion Lorne as Singleman party guest
Alice Ghostley as Singleman party guest

Uncredited:
Mike Farrell as a bellhop at the hotel
Richard Dreyfuss as Boarding House Resident
Ben Murphy as the shaving student in the fraternity house
Kevin Tighe as Carter, Carl Smith's fraternity brother
Eve McVeagh as party guest
Hamilton Camp as Second Hotel Clerk
Donald F. Glut as College Student
Elaine May as Girl with Note for Benjamin

Awards and honors
Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman, and Katharine Ross earned Oscar nominations for their performances.

Along with the acting nominations, the movie received nominations for Best Cinematography, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Picture. Mike Nichols won the Academy Award for Best Director.

The movie won the BAFTA Award for Best Film, the BAFTA Award for Best Editing (to Sam O'Steen) and the BAFTA Award for Best Screenplay.

In 1996, The Graduate was picked to keep in the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

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

The movie is listed in the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die book.

Alfa Romeo made a "Graduate" edition Alfa Romeo Spider, the car Benjamin drives in the movie.

References

Other websites 
 
 NPR feature on movie
 Kierkegaard's Narrative : The Graduate

1967 comedy-drama movies
1967 romantic comedy movies
1967 romantic drama movies
Adultery in movies
American comedy-drama movies
American romantic comedy movies
American romantic drama movies
1960s English-language movies
Movies about suburbia
Movies based on books
Movies directed by Mike Nichols
Movies set in California
Sex comedy movies
American independent movies