the first comment give here show an incredible lack of understanding of steinbeck in his california period . our irish friend acrid comment show he obviously doesn not like steinbeck and that his privilege . now and have say that and i must say he wrong . this film be excellent . just that . the cast be wonderful and the story be a classic represent the destruction of innocence by cruel reality ( viz represent the title of the story take from a line from a robert burn poem ) . and and while steinbeck be not one to let a sentimental moment pas by and e. g and lennie christ like innocence and inappropriate super human strength which inadvertently wreak havoc result in his euthanasia with the same instrument a use for curley dog and these scene be never maudlin . too and for the serious steinbeck fan and there more and much more . this story and and the play and create at steinbeck most experimental period and be fraught with symbolism . there the big guy and a victim of the little guy vanity . many be not aware that steinbeck be small ( 53 ) and very self conscious about his size . the cast be outstanding represent betty field careless and bored character and mae contrast with the mighty innocence of chaney lennie . there be the solid character of bickford slim and meredith george and bohnen candy while steele be at his best a the vain and pugnacious curley while veteran character actor and noah berry jr. a whit add another element of sympathy . this be one of our american classic film . we invent and develop this genre of art and this film must stand a one of it fine example .