Of Mice and Men

This was the very first film version I saw of Steinbeck's great novel. Unfortunately it seems go have been totally forgotten. That is a shame as it is incredibly good! The performances are top notch, especially the one of Lenny. I wish this would come out on DVD. This version deserves that and to be known by others who have seen other versions but not this one. I was extremely moved by the ending. Not any film can make me cry like that. I saw this version twice and have been wanting to see it again for a long time. It is not fair that this excellent version if primarily "lost" for so long. Most younger people (and even those my age) are completely unaware of it. It deserves to be well known.

Check out at the bottom of this comment for update - Believe it or not, there is a high likelihood that out in my garage on a regular reel to reel audio tape is the sound track recording that I recorded that night in 1968 from the TV show. No video, but the audio was complete with no surrounding room sounds because I recorded it direct. Long ago my reel to reel recorder failed me and I never got a replacement since they seemed to fall out of favor. I'm computer savvy though and sometimes entertain thoughts of finding one to convert it to mp3 or something. If that ever happens I guess I could make it available if legal to do so. Great production.

I found the reel to reel recording but have not managed to digitize it yet - I got ahold of an Akai M7 recorder but am having trouble transferring the play/video/tv production to my laptop and from there to flash drive or DVD etc.

I have now digitized it in RAW form - gotta use some filters on it but it sounds pretty good. Thought of offering it to George Segal and Nicol Williamson's kids and any one else in the production or their kids (wouldn't be kids anymore though, would they?) Any one know how to contact them? WAV file is 1.25 GB so not big.

Just after I did the above, this version of "Of Mice and Men" became available from places like Amazon etc. On DVD!!!!! The full video including the 1968 commercials.

I saw this over thirty years ago and never forgot it. It's the best version ever made of Steinbeck's OF MICE AND MEN. Nicol Williamson brought an astonishing reality to the character of Lennie. I find it almost incomprehensible that more people aren't aware of this. Whatever happened to the negative? I hope it exists and that someone will restore and revive it. George Segal wasn't bad either.

George Segal gives one of his best performances as Lenny's friend and caretaker. The tenderness and love he puts across are subtle yet powerful and shows us the soul of a man who sees his relationship with his friend as one stemming from true affection and not mere obligation. It's a relationship that would be strained even among blood relatives, but Segal portrays George Milton as a man who still holds a dream for a better life even while coping with a brutal world on his own behalf and on behalf of his feeble minded childhood friend.

With very few bells and whistles, the design of a set can dramatically convey a mood. This film gives a telling example of how mood and theme can be conveyed through light, shade and texture.

Almost from the beginning we get the creepy feeling that something is not going to go well for George and Lenny from the somber tones of the world in which we find them. Visually, one can almost feel the despair of the Great Depression and its affect on the down-and-out who had to find some way to survive then, however meanly.

I recommend reading Steinbeck's humane masterpiece and viewing several other film adaptations of it to see the many levels at which this story can be told and interpreted.

I am now 60 years old, have an incurable and non treatable cancer and have never and probably will never see a production as moving as this. "Tell me about the Rabbits, George" is a quote that I have passed on and of course explained, to generations, yes generations. I don't want to duplicate what has been said above but this must be seen, if at all possible. I have seen Phantom (of the Opera), Les Miserables (over 10 times between those 2) and countless other moving shows but Lenny and George stole my heart a long long time ago. I have always looked at that movie and felt the pain. Pain of the era. Pain of friendship. Pain of what life sometimes demands one to do, even if illegal or unethical. If you're showing young people, explain what they will be watching and feeling before they start. There is no James Bond, Bourne Supremacy here just gut wrenching feelings that will swirl throughout their bodies and the memory WILL last forever. If anyone knows of a way to get a copy of this or how to view it again please reply. If you can ever get a wish, my wish for you is to witness and feel from this and BTW, bring a lot of tissues. Fireman Rob