Rent Harold and Maude (1971)
3.8 of 5 from 304 ratings
1h 28min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
- Ashby's film follows the burgeoning relationship between the gloomy, 20-year-old, suicide-staging Harold (Bud Cort), suffocated by his wealthy homestead, and the sprightly octogenarian Maude (Ruth Gordon), whose bohemian wiles and open-arms approach to living enable Harold's first gentle steps towards embracing existence.
- Actors:
- Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort, Vivian Pickles, Cyril Cusack, Charles Tyner, Ellen Geer, Eric Christmas, G. Wood, Judy Engles, Shari Summers, Tom Skerritt, Susan Madigan, Ray K. Goman, Gordon De Vol, Harvey Brumfield, Henry Dieckoff, Philip Schultz, Sonia Sorel, Margot Jones, Barry Higgins
- Directors:
- Hal Ashby
- Producers:
- Colin Higgins, Charles Mulvehill
- Writers:
- Colin Higgins
- Studio:
- Paramount
- Genres:
- Classics, Comedy, Romance
- Collections:
- 10 Films to Watch if You Like: Licorice Pizza, A Brief History of Old Age on Screen: Part 2, Cinema Paradiso's 2023 Centenary Club: Part 1, The Biggest Oscar Snubs: Part 1, The Instant Expert's Guide to Wes Anderson, Top 10 Autumn Films, Top 100 AFI Laughs, Top 100 AFI Passions, What We Were Watching in 1971
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 14/07/2014
- Run Time:
- 91 minutes
- Languages:
- English LPCM Mono, English LPCM Stereo
- Subtitles:
- English Hard of Hearing
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 1.85:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- Audio Commentary by Hal Ashby biographer Nick Dawson and producer Charles B. Mulvehill New and exclusive video discussion of the film by critic David Cairns
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Reviews (5) of Harold and Maude
A timeless classic - Harold and Maude review by CP Customer
Harold is an odd young man with a preoccupation with death. Constantly faking suicide to get the attention of his inattentive wealthy mother, this wealthy young man spends his time attending the funerals of strangers and cruising around in his very own hearse. While attending a funeral he encounters 79 year old Maude, a fellow 'funeral gatecrasher', and a woman like no other he has ever met. Together, they embark on a life changing friendship. Maude teaches him to embrace life, challenge authority and awakens his spirit to the world around him. 'Harold and Maude' is both about learning to embrace life, finding joy in the little things, not taking a moment for granted, and at the same time a dark comedy about two if life's misfits who find friendship and love in the company of one another. My only complaint about 'Harold and Maude' is that I didn't make time to see it sooner.
10 out of 11 members found this review helpful.
Eccentric but dated - Harold and Maude review by JD
Delightfully eccentric film about a lad with a preoccupation with suicide. There are memorable scenes of his suicide bids, the first being the most shocking and subsequent attempts getting more comical. The style of acting and direction are dated and for my taste distant and impersonal. Some of the plot is unexplained. The unique humour is the outstanding feature which remains quirky and enjoyable throughout.
6 out of 7 members found this review helpful.
Different, intriguing comedy - Harold and Maude review by CP Customer
Harold is a young man constantly faking suicide in bizarre ways in an attempt to get the attention of his extremely wealthy, but cold, socially climbing mother. She does her best to take over his life, including trying to find him a 'suitable' wife through a dating agency. Harold manages to see off his suitors by inflicting unusual staged injuries on himself in their company. Harold eets an elderly lady, Maude, at one of the funerals he likes to gatecrash. Her total disregard for rules and free spirit teaches him about life and love. This is an absolutely delightful film which is extremely funny, yet with a sad twist. I wish it was a little longer as the relationship between Harold and Maude is one to relish!
5 out of 6 members found this review helpful.