Director Mike Nichols's THE GRADUATE is the satirical coming-of-age comedy that became an emotional touchstone for an entire generation. In the mid-1960s, Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), a confused college graduate, is pulled in myriad directions by family, friends, and associates just days after receiving his degree. Seduced by Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), an older friend of the family, Ben carries on an affair with the married woman even as he falls for her daughter, Elaine (Katharine Ross). However, Ben and Elaine's attempts at romance are threatened by the spiteful rage of Mrs. Robinson, who proceeds to hastily arrange Elaine's marriage to someone else, leading up to one of the most memorable endings in cinema history.

With its striking photography and clever editing, THE GRADUATE established Nichols as a major director. The film also made a star out of young Hoffman, who gives an understated portrayal of the perplexed Ben--the actor's first role in a Hollywood film, which he almost didn't get because he wasn't Waspy enough. Outstanding performances by the rest of the cast are highlighted by Bancroft's sexy, embittered turn as Mrs. Robinson and Ross's endearing presence as the gorgeous yet innocent Elaine. The film's impact on popular culture is immeasurable: "Plastics" will live on eternally as depressing but solid career advice, and older women will never eye younger men without fear of becoming a "Mrs. Robinson." Buck Henry (who appears briefly in the film) cowrote the influential screenplay, based on the novel by Charles Webb, and the soundtrack by Simon and Garfunkel remains a movie classic.

Dustin Hoffman is the college graduate who has an affair with a married woman (Anne Bancroft) but falls in love with her daughter (Katharine Ross).

Theatrical Release: December 21, 1967

THE GRADUATE was added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 1996.

Features bit parts by actors Richard Dreyfuss and Mike Farell, as well as co-screenwriter Buck Henry.

The soundtrack for THE GRADUATE includes Simon and Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence" and "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme." The film is the first Hollywood production to use already established hit songs in the soundtrack.

Charles Grodin was originally cast to play the lead in THE GRADUATE.

Excerpt: "I just want to say one word to you...just one word."--Mr. McGuire (Walter Brooke) to Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman)
"Yes, sir."--Ben
"Are you listening?"--Mr.McGuire
"Yes, sir. I am."--Ben
"Plastics."--Mr. McGuire

"Don't you think that idea is a little half-baked?"--Mr. Braddock (William Daniels) to Ben
"Oh no, Dad, it's completely baked."--Ben

"Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me."--Ben to Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft)

DVD Features:

Widescreen - 2.35
Audio:
Mono - English, French
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
DTS Surround - English
Subtitles - English, French, Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentaries - 1. Dustin Hoffman, Katherine Ross - Stars
2. Mike Nichols - Director; Steven Soderbergh - Film Director
Behind the Scenes - 1. Screen Tests with Video Introductions
2. "Coming of Age: The Making of THE GRADUATE"
3. Documentary
Featurettes - "Would You Like Me to Seduce You?: The Seduction Scene Revisted"
Interviews - "One on One with Dustin Hoffman"
Trailers - Original Theatrical Trailer

Dustin Hoffman: American Actor
Anne Bancroft: American actress, THE GRADUATE
Katharine Ross: American Actress
Murray Hamilton: American Character Actor
William Daniels: Emmy winning actor
Elizabeth Wilson: American actress
Brian Avery: 
Walter Brooke: Actor
Norman Fell: American Film and TV Actor, THREE'S COMPANY
Elisabeth Fraser: American Actress
Alice Ghostley: Comedic actress, DESIGNING WOMEN, GREASE, BEWITCHED
Buck Henry: Comic, Writer, Actor, Director
Marion Lorne: American actress
Harry Holcombe: 
Lainie Miller: 
Eddra Gale: Actress/Somewhere In Time
Richard Dreyfuss: American Actor - Jaws/Lansky
Jonathan Hole: 

Mike Nichols: German-born director, THE GRADUATE (1967)

Lawrence Turman: 

Calder Willingham: 
Buck Henry: Comic, Writer, Actor, Director

Dave Grusin: Composer, AUTHOR! AUTHOR! (1982)

George Robert Nelson: Set Decorator

Sam O'Steen: American Editor/Director, THE GRADUATE (1967)

"...A wonderful comedy of manners..." -- 4 out of 5 Stars
"...[Bancroft] is a great beauty....To watch it today is like opening a time capsule..."
"...[A] mellowed-out great movie..."
"[T]hanks to the perfectly cast Bancroft, Mrs. Robinson not only became the archetype for the older woman as seductress, but also the source of distraction for many an adolescent male."
"Mike Nichols' classic is as fresh, perceptive and witty as it was in 1967."
"The hit ages like wine and should speak just as eloquently to disaffected grads in the 21st century." -- Grade: A-
5 stars out of 5 -- "[A] breakthrough....Nichols's stylishly constructed film still feels fresh today..."