Historical and Institutional Influences

The Grapes of Wrath by John Ford is a 20th Century Fox production in 1940. It won the academic awards of Best Supporting Actress (Jane Darwell) and best Director (John Ford).  The film's historical significance relates to The Great Depression and explores the migration of farmers to California.These farmers have lost their lands due to the Dust Bowl and also to the landlords taking over them. The film also explores racism, lack of rights and makes the statement that the people will get America out of the Great Depression. The Grapes of Wrath is an iconic film because the story itself talks about how Americans were suffering in the Great Depression. John Steinbeck, wrote a story that protested the government propaganda and demonized the union out of indifference and greed. However, for the film the ending was different from the book because Ford wanted to end the story with a positive note that would give Americans the hope that they need.  

The Grapes of Wrath was also successful in the film industry, it had 5 academy award nominations and it was given positive reviews by the critics. The movie was ranked #7 on the American Film Institute's 2006 list of the Most Inspiring Movies of All Time. And in 2007, ranked #23 on the American Film Institute of the Greatest Movies of All Time. In addition, several newspapers lie The New York Times gave memorable reviews to this film

 "The Grapes of Wrath is just about as good as any picture has a right to be; if it were any better, we just wouldn't believe our eyes."
-Frank Nugent, New York Times, January 25, 1940

"Through Nunnally Johnson's articulate script, Ford is pleading, pleading, pleading, and in the film's last quarter he offers perhaps too optimistic a salve...Jane Darwell as Ma gives a wholly committed performance, but it is Fonda, with his cat-like walk and his deep-etched gaze, who takes on the features of an Everyman, suffering with grace and every so often lashing out against exploitation. Few Hollywood films have taken so stern a stand against the realities of social injustice."
- Peter Cowie, Eighty Years of Cinema

Finally, the 20th Century Fox already had explore great success with other films such as Young Mr. Lincoln which also happens to be directed by John Ford. Thus implies that this household name qualified John Ford the best candidate to bring John Steinbeck's story onto the big screen. The budget for this film was about 750,000 which partially explains why The Grapes of Wrath was such a successful production.