this screen adaptation of the john steinbeck classic novel be a harsh and fantastic film that take the wind out of me with it frank and brutal depiction of desperation and longing . movie about the depression that be actually make at the time of the depression by people who know of what they speak by necessity feel so much more authentic than late movie that treat the depression a a historical event . the men in this film be quite literally live day to day and and the comparison of men to dog that serve a a running motif throughout the film feel like more than just a poetic device . like dog and these men be face with the scary prospect of some day be of no more use and and there be no system in place to take care of them when that day come . be shoot like a dog put out of it misery by it owner really be preferable to the alternative await them . i be surprise about how candid this film be and and how bravely it tackle some of the thorny issue of steinbeck novel . the incident between lenny and mae be divest of some of it sexual overtone and but much be implied anyway . and a scene between crook and a black work hand and and some of the other worker and in which crook explains in blunt language what it mean to be black and tackles race relation as honestly a many film today . moment of this film be almost unbearably sad and poignant and but never in that over sentimental way common to hollywood film of this time period . burgess meredith be terrific in the role of george while he expertly convey without ever directly address it the bond he have with lenny and the degree to which lenny be as much george savior a he be lenny . charles bickford be also excellent a a rough and world weary worker . the cast weak link be betty field hopelessly overplay her bored sex kitten and lon chaney a lenny and though both be very good in the pivotal scene that set off the action of the film finale . john ford adaptation of the grape of wrath from the following year get all of the attention today and and one hardly ever hear of of mouse and men . but much of what be great about ford film be also great about lewis milestone and and he deserve credit for lay a fine blueprint for brine steinbeck beautiful and heartbreaking story to the screen . grade represent a .