The Dead

Drama | English | 83 minutes

Info

Adapted from a James Joyce short story. On January 6, 1904, spinster sisters Kate and Julia Morkan and their unmarried niece, Mary Jane, host their annual Feast of Epiphany dinner at their Dublin townhouse. Arriving guests include Gabriel Conroy, nephew of Kate and Julia, his wife Gretta, and Freddy Malins, who comes inebriated. The group gathers to sing Christmas songs and regale each other with old stories. Gretta confesses to her husband Gabriel about how one of the songs reminded her of Michael Furey, who was her lover when they were teenagers. When Gretta falls asleep, Gabriel realizes there is much he did not know about his wife’s past life. But tears fill Gabriel’s eyes as he feels his love for Gretta.

Cast

Anjelica Huston (Gretta Conroy) / Donal McCann (Gabriel Conroy) / Cathleen Delaney (Julia Morkan) / Helena Carroll (Kate Morkan) / Donal Donnelly (Freddy Malins)

Why Stream This Film?

Only a master like John Huston could have successfully adapted James Joyce’s short story into such a riveting film.

Rotten Tomatoes Score (Critics Consensus): 93%

Accolades

Academy Awards: Nominated, Best Screenplay (Tony Huston)
National Society of Film Critics Awards: Winner, Best Film; Nominated, Best Director (John Huston); Best Supporting Actress (Anjelica Huston)
New York Film Critics Circle Awards: Nominated, Best Film; Best Director (John Huston); Best Screenplay (Tony Huston); Best Actress (Angelica Huston)

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