The Front

1976
PG
1h 35m

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

9.8K

YOUR RATING

Play trailer1:54

1 Video

44 Photos

Political Drama Drama

In 1953, a cashier poses as a writer for blacklisted talents to submit their work through, but the injustice around him pushes him to take a stand.In 1953, a cashier poses as a writer for blacklisted talents to submit their work through, but the injustice around him pushes him to take a stand.In 1953, a cashier poses as a writer for blacklisted talents to submit their work through, but the injustice around him pushes him to take a stand.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

9.8K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 5 nominations total

Videos1

Trailer 1:54

Official Trailer

Photos44

+ 38

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Woody Allen once said of this film: "From the beginning, I had enormous reservations about doing a film which I had not written and over which I would have no directorial control. The reason I did The Front (1976) was that the subject was worthwhile. Martin Ritt and Walter Bernstein lived through the blacklist and survived it with dignity, so I didn't mind deferring to their judgment."

Goofs
When Howard and Florence kiss in the park, the bi-level George Washington Bridge can be seen in the background. In c. 1953 when this movie takes place, the bridge had only one level.

Quotes
[last lines]
Howard Prince: [in the HUAC hearing] Fellas... I don't recognize the right of this committee to ask me these kind of questions. And furthermore, you can all go fuck yourselves.

Crazy credits
The beginning of the end credits lists the people involved with the movie who were blacklisted and the year of their blacklist. They are:
Producer/Director Martin Ritt (1951)
Writer Walter Bernstein (1950)
Actor Zero Mostel (1950)
Actor Herschel Bernardi (1953)
Actor Lloyd Gough (1952)
Actor Joshua Shelley (1952)

Connections
Featured in The Making of 'the Front' (1976)

Soundtracks
Young at Heart
Sung by Frank Sinatra
Music by Johnny Richards
Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh
Arranged and Conducted by Nelson Riddle (uncredited)
[Played over both the opening and end credits]

User reviews79

Review

Featured review

Historically significant

It's amazing to me that it has been more than a quarter of a century since this movie was made. I think at the time the movie was made it was said that it could not have been made before then because of the controversy; "Hollywood" would not have allowed it to be made.

This movie is of historical significance because it is based on reality; a reality that seems impossible now. I saw this movie in a theater in which another movie was shown first. The first movie was a documentary of the search for communists and the real-life story preceding the fictional portrayal of the same thing was a powerful combination.

I think this movie must be seen by all to see how unreasonable people can be if we are too intolerant.