Criterion Collection Edition #608
With the idiosyncratic American fable HAROLD AND MAUDE, countercultural director Hal Ashby fashioned what would become the cult classic of its era. Working from a script by Colin Higgins, Ashby tells the story of the emotional and romantic bond between a death-obsessed young man (Bud Cort) from a wealthy family and a devil-may-care, bohemian octogenarian (Ruth Gordon). Equal parts gallows humor and romantic innocence, Harold and Maude dissolves the line between darkness and light along with the ones that separate people by class, gender, and age, and it features indelible performances and a remarkable soundtrack by Cat Stevens.
Directed by Hal Ashby • 1971 • United States
Starring Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort
With the idiosyncratic American fable HAROLD AND MAUDE, countercultural director Hal Ashby fashioned what would become the cult classic of its era. Working from a script by Colin Higgins, Ashby tells the story of the ...
This commentary, recorded in 2011, features Nick Dawson, author of Bring Hal Ashby: Life of a Hollywood Rebel, and HAROLD AND MAUDE producer Charles B. Mulvehill.
These illustrated audio excerpts from a January 11, 1972, American Film Institute master seminar with director Hal Ashby feature the filmmaker's thoughts about Harold and Maude.
These illustrated audio excerpts from a January 10, 1979, American Film Institute master seminar with Colin Higgins feature the screenwriter's recollections of the writing and making of Harold and Maude.
In this interview, recorded by the Criterion Collection in 2011, acclaimed singer-songwriter Yusuf/Cat Stevens discusses his landmark soundtrack for Harold and Maude.
