Of Mice and Men (1968 TV Movie) User Reviews (11)

excellent unknown version

[dtk · 9/10 · 2 January 2006]

We were "assigned" by our English teacher to watch this production when I was in high school. It was my first introduction to Nicole Williamson, who was astonishing as Lenny. It wasn't until I saw him on a talk show about a year later that I realized he was English. Segal was also good as George, although he plays the role as more "frantic" than it is usually played. The entire cast was very good except for the unfortunate attempt by Joey Heatherton to act.

Don Gordon played Curly in this version--I have added this to the database.

The release date which is listed (1970) is wrong, by the way, since I graduated from high school in 1969.

Memorably Sets the Mood of Steinbeck's Depression Era Story

[tlazette · 8/10 · 21 January 2005]

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.

All three versions of MICE are great, but this one might be lost

[Miles-10 · 9/10 · 5 November 2009]

As Clore_2 pointed out here several years ago, this production was done on video tape back in 1968, and it is possible that nothing much remains of it because images on tape degrade so easily. Nevetheless, I have fond memories of it though I saw it only once--it may have aired only once. I have seen two film versions as well, and can say that all three versions of this story are good. Thought Don Gordon was particularly memorable as Curley in this video version. Maybe better than the Curley in the 1939 version. Every version has a terrific cast and this one is no exception, especially with Nicole Williamson as Lennie.

OVERLOOKED, BRILLIANT ADAPTATION

[Norwegianheretic · 10/10 · 29 September 2002]

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.

When is this coming to DVD?

[mysticmonkcat · 10/10 · 12 February 2011]

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.

To George Segal and Nicol Williamson

[pfd673 · 10/10 · 10 October 2013]

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

Not available on video/DVD?

[jcurrie58 · 10/10 · 5 March 2005]

I saw this TV film in the late 1960s and remember being very moved by it. At the end, when George kills Lennie, I was in floods of tears. Does anyone know if either George Segal or Nicol Williamson ever received any awards for their performances? If not, they should have. I don't usually admire Nicol Williamson as he frequently goes over the top, but here he surpassed himself. And his Californian accent (to my British ears) seemed very authentic.

I've also seen the 1939 version and in my opinion the TV film is just as good. I'm disappointed to see that it doesn't seem to be available on either video or DVD, as it's an undoubted masterpiece.

Videotaped production is admirable

[clore_2 · 9 December 2002]

Back in the 60s, David Susskind's Talent Associates did a number of TV adaptations of plays that had previously been made into feature films. Also included were A HATFUL OF RAIN and THE DESPERATE HOURS, and there was also an infamous remake of LAURA, which had not been a stage play. George Segal was Lennie in this production, getting good support from Nicol Williamson as Lennie, although more than once, the actor's obvious intelligence made his Lennie seem just a superficial characterization. Will Geer made an excellent Candy, and it was one of his more showy roles as he worked his way back from the blacklist. Joey Heatherton was, well Joey, in her interpretation of Curly's wife. It would be nice if Susskind could find a way to put some of these programs, all done for ABC, onto DVD, if only to preserve the efforts of all of those behind them, as videotape is hardly a great storage medium.

Steinbeck 101

[chrindike · 10/10 · 5 April 2014]

Seeing this teleplay in 1968 began a life-long relationship with author John Steinbeck. I think his book, Of Mice and Men is a key to understanding all of his works. And this TV movie really shows the compassion he had for the weak, and the square peg who doesn't fit into the uniformly round hole. In the fifty years since it aired I cannot think of a more compelling character than Nicol Williamson's Lenny! George Segal's George was edgy, and really shows the repressed frustration that simmered just below his frayed surface, and the difficulty of caring for the disabled then. His roll was to show off the beauty and goodness of Lenny (the real Lead character), which he did brilliantly. He carries me back to the early days when he was a promising serious actor in a sea of them. Looking over the great character actors who rounded out the cast launches me into an era of unique, original, unforgettable characters. Even Joey Heatherton justified her small but important part. I agree with the above reviewers most of whom regard this as one of the best movies ever made. And thus it's loss as one of the worst. How many other lost movies can claim such a strong impression after fifty years?

This version is now available on Amazon etc. on DVD!!!!!

[jpgyles · 10/10 · 30 June 2021]

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.

A hidden gem

[kenkren79 · 16 December 2018]

I saw this version when I was 13 years old and have never forgotten it. After it was over I had to shut myself in the bathroom because I didn't want anyone in my house seeing me cry so uncontrollably. It is the definitive film version of Steinbeck's book. How could something this good not be restored and re-released on dvd or available to stream? Powerful people in the film and tv industry need to unearth it somehow.