Synopsis
Beth, Calvin, and their son Conrad are living in the aftermath of the death of the other son. Conrad is overcome by grief and misplaced guilt to the extent of a suicide attempt. He is in therapy. Beth had always preferred his brother and is having difficulty being supportive to Conrad. Calvin is trapped between the two trying to hold the family together.
Ordinary People (1980) is a 2h 4min drama feature film by Robert Redford. Beth, Calvin, and their son Conrad are living in the aftermath of the death of the other son. Selected for Los Angeles Film Awards (2025).
Key facts
Cast
Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, Timothy Hutton, M. Emmet Walsh, Elizabeth McGovern, Dinah Manoff, Fredric Lehne
Original language
English
First release
September 19, 1980 (United States)
Production companies
Paramount Pictures
Based on
Ordinary People
Awards
Academy Award for Best Picture, Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Academy Award for Best Director, Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, National Board of Review: Top Ten Films, National Board of Review Award for Best Film
Setting
Illinois
Crew
Screenplay
Nancy Dowd, Alvin Sargent
Producer
Ronald L. Schwary
Cinematography
John Bailey
Editing
Jeff Kanew
Music
Marvin Hamlisch
Trailer
Stills
Reviews
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Festival History
- Los Angeles Film Awards 2025
- Directors Guild of America 1980 generic ★ Winner
Titles
| Original title | Ordinary People | English |
| Québec French title | Des gens comme les autres |
Releases & classifications
| Theatrical | United States | September 19, 1980 |
| Theatrical | United Kingdom | October 2, 1980 |
| Theatrical | Spain | February 13, 1981 |
| Theatrical | Sweden | March 2, 1981 |
| Theatrical | Germany | March 6, 1981 |
| Theatrical | Finland | March 6, 1981 |
| Theatrical | Greece | March 6, 1981 |
| Theatrical | France | March 11, 1981 |
| Theatrical | Norway | March 13, 1981 |
| Theatrical | Japan | March 21, 1981 |
| Theatrical | Poland | January 1, 1983 |
| Theatrical | Hungary | June 13, 1985 |
| Streaming | France | December 24, 2019 |
| Classification | Germany | 12 |
| Classification | United Kingdom | 15 |
| Classification | United States | R |
Versions & editions
| Original version (English) | ||
| Home video | Sweden | December 4, 2002 |
| Home video | France | December 5, 2002 |
| Home video | Netherlands | January 14, 2008 |
| Home video | Brazil | June 17, 2011 |
| Home video | France | March 30, 2022 |
Full credits
| Director | Robert Redford |
| Cast | Donald Sutherland (Calvin Jarrett), Mary Tyler Moore (Beth Jarrett), Judd Hirsch (Dr. Berger), Timothy Hutton (Conrad Jarrett), M. Emmet Walsh (Swim Coach), Elizabeth McGovern (Jeannine Pratt), Dinah Manoff (Karen), Fredric Lehne (Lazenby), James B. Sikking (Ray Hanley), Basil Hoffman (Sloan), Quinn K. Redeker (Ward), Mariclare Costello (Audrey), Meg Mundy (Grandmother), Elizabeth Hubbard (Ruth), Adam Baldwin (Stillman), Richard Whiting (Grandfather), Scott Doebler (Buck Jarrett), Carl DiTomasso (Van Buren), Tim Clarke (Truan), Ken Dishner (Genthe), Lisa Smyth (Gail), Ann Eggert (Mitzi), Randall Robbins (Bryce), Cynthia Baker (Ms. Mellon), John Stimpson (John), Liz Kinney (Liz), Steven Hirsch (Mack), Rudy Hornish (Ed), Clarissa Downey (Chris), Cynthia Burke (Annie), Jane Alderman (Linda), Paul Preston (Dennis), Gustave Lachenauer (Gus), Marilyn Rockafellow (Sarah), Don Billett (Philip), Ronald Solomon (Joel), Virginia Long (Choir Director), Paula Segal (Shopper), Estelle Meyers (Saleslady), Stuart Shiff (Waiter), Rose Wool (Waitress), Douglas Kinney (Actor), Constance Addington (Actress), Edwin Bederman (McDonald's Manager), Bobby Coyne (Young Buck), Michael Creadon (Young Conrad) |
| Screenplay | Nancy Dowd, Alvin Sargent |
| Producer | Ronald L. Schwary |
| Cinematography | John Bailey |
| Editing | Jeff Kanew |
| Music | Marvin Hamlisch |
| Costumes | Bernie Pollack |
Additional data: TMDB.
Source: Cinémathèque québécoise, linked catalogue data (CC BY 4.0)
