The Carpetbaggers
A ruthless heir builds an industrial empire while his hunger for control corrodes the relationships that might redeem him.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- sweeping
- cynical
- sexually charged
- classic cinema night
- literary adaptation viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the film as an overlong, vulgar, psychologically thin literary melodrama whose efficient direction and commercial boldness could not overcome its weak characterization and abrupt reconciliation.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jonas Cord repeatedly buys out friends, associates, and adversaries while expanding from chemicals into aviation and motion pictures.
The story tracks Jonas from his father's death in 1928 through successive business ventures, marriages, betrayals, and attempts at reconciliation.
Jonas's distrust, cruelty, and inability to relinquish control are linked to unresolved childhood issues and his antagonistic relationship with his father.
The film gives large-scale dramatic treatment to Jonas's business empire, aviation interests, and entry into the movie industry.
Films like The Carpetbaggers, and why
Giant
shared sprawling historical melodrama, ruthless industrial ambition, and critique of wealth and power
The Thorn Birds
shared literary adaptation format, patriarchal business empire, romantic betrayal, and heightened adult melodrama
The Flight of the Phoenix
shared 1960s widescreen spectacle, aviation-centered ambition, and morally compromised protagonist
The Best of Everything
shared old-Hollywood commercial melodrama, destructive wealth, sexual intrigue, and grand personal reversals
Movie Details
- Director
- Edward Dmytryk
- Release Date
- 1964-04-08
- Runtime
- 150 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (42)
Cast
- George Peppard
- Alan Ladd
- Carroll Baker
- Robert Cummings
- Martha Hyer
- Elizabeth Ashley
- Lew Ayres
- Martin Balsam
- Ralph Taeger
- Archie Moore
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Carpetbaggers about?
- A ruthless heir builds an industrial empire while his hunger for control corrodes the relationships that might redeem him.
- What is The Carpetbaggers like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Carpetbaggers as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Carpetbaggers violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Carpetbaggers.
- What did critics think of The Carpetbaggers?
- Critics broadly viewed the film as an overlong, vulgar, psychologically thin literary melodrama whose efficient direction and commercial boldness could not overcome its weak characterization and abrupt reconciliation.
- Which films are like The Carpetbaggers?
- Films with a similar feel include Giant, The Thorn Birds, The Flight of the Phoenix, and The Best of Everything.
- How long is The Carpetbaggers?
- The Carpetbaggers runs 150 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Carpetbaggers?
- In United States, The Carpetbaggers is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
