On Golden Pond (1981)
91%RT Audience Score: 86%
Awards & Nominations: Won 3 Oscars
14 wins & 23 nominations total
Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn are a wondrous duo in On Golden Pond, a wistful drama that movingly explores the twilight years of a loving marriage.
On Golden Pond is a heartwarming movie that will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate life. The performances by Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn are simply amazing, and they make you feel like you’re part of their family. The movie is a bit slow at times, but it’s worth it for the beautiful scenery and the touching moments. If you’re looking for a feel-good movie that will leave you with a smile on your face, On Golden Pond is the perfect choice. Just make sure you have some tissues handy!
Production Company(ies)
Channel Four Films, Ci By 2000 Thin Man Films,
Distributor
Artisan Entertainment, Universal Pictures
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Squam Lake, New Hampshire, USA
MPAA / Certificate
PG
Year of Release
1982
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Mono
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 49m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 22, 1982 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 16, 2003
Genre(s)
Comedy/Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn, Jane Fonda, Doug McKeon, Dabney Coleman, William Lanteau, directed by Mark Rydell, written by Ernest Thompson, comedy, drama, PG rating, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Ian Nathan, Ed Potton, Rex Reed, Bill Cosford, Elston Brooks, Jack Mathews, David Parkinson, Ronald Boyd, Mike Massie, Diego Galán, Henry Fonda’s final performance, Katherine Hepburn’s sparkling charisma, family dysfunction, aging, marriage, New England vacation home, father-daughter relationship, reconciliation, twilight years, wistful drama, Artisan Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Bruce Gilbert produced
Worldwide gross: $119,285,432
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $377,146,197
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 403
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 41,128,266
US/Canada gross: $119,285,432
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $377,146,197
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 131
US/Canada opening weekend: $89,213
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $282,066
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,558
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $7,500,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $23,712,841
Production budget ranking: 1,271
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $12,769,365
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $340,663,991
ROI to date (est.): 934%
ROI ranking: 139
Henry Fonda – Norman Thayer Jr.
Jane Fonda – Chelsea Thayer Wayne
Doug McKeon – Billy Ray
Dabney Coleman – Bill Ray
William Lanteau – Charlie Martin
Director(s)
Mark Rydell
Writer(s)
Ernest Thompson
Producer(s)
Bruce Gilbert
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
Won 3 Oscars
14 wins & 23 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (43) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (40) | Rotten (3)
Definitely soppy in places but also genuinely moving.
August 18, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Ian Nathan
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Adapted by Ernest Thompson from his 1979 play of the same name, Mark Rydell’s classy weepie follows an elderly couple holidaying in their idyllic lakeside house in New England.
August 18, 2021 | Rating: 5/5
Ed Potton
Times (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Every time the movie almost reduces its audience to sobbing, there’s clever laugh to ease the tension and bring everyone back to reality. It’s a marvelous triumph.
August 18, 2021
Rex Reed
New York Daily News
TOP CRITIC
Though On Golden Pond is a shameless bit of manipulation… the movie is relentlessly enjoyable.
August 18, 2021
Bill Cosford
Miami Herald
TOP CRITIC
Here is the almost perfect motion picture.
August 18, 2021 | Rating: 4/4
Elston Brooks
Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com
TOP CRITIC
If you can check your cynicism at the door, here’s a two-hour tonic guaranteed to lift your spirits.
August 18, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
Jack Mathews
Detroit Free Press
TOP CRITIC
Complementing the subtle shades of performance are cinematographer Billy Williams’s superb images, using to dramatic effect the changing light of the countryside in summer.
August 18, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
David Parkinson
Radio Times
If ever there’s been a motion picture collaboration worth waiting for, Fonda and Hepburn in On Golden Pond is it.
August 18, 2021
Ronald Boyd
Tampa Bay Times
Despite the amusing lessons on forgiveness, mortality, seeking approval, and compromising, there’s a slowness to the picture that betrays its repetitive misadventures.
September 6, 2020 | Rating: 7/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn turn the movie into a recital of their talent. [Full Review in Spanish]
August 22, 2019
Diego Galán
El Pais (Spain)
The truth of its characters and emotions carry the film from start to finish.
January 20, 2015 | Rating: 3/4
Dustin Putman
TheBluFile.com…
Plot
The loons are back again on Golden Pond and so are Norman Thayer, a retired professor, and Ethel who have had a summer cottage there since early in their marriage. This summer their daughter Chelsea
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Henry Fonda’s performance in On Golden Pond was his final one before his death.
Mark-Rydell.jpg
