An American Tragedy
An American Tragedy Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 12, 2026
Movie Overview: An American Tragedy
| Movie | An American Tragedy |
| Release Year | 1931 |
| Director | Josef von Sternberg |
| Genre | Crime / Drama / Romance |
| Runtime | 96 minutes (1h 36m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is An American Tragedy (1931) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in An American Tragedy are led by Phillips Holmes . The supporting cast, including Sylvia Sidney and Frances Dee , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While An American Tragedy does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Crime films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, An American Tragedy has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Crime fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: An American Tragedy
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1931, An American Tragedy is a Crime, Drama, Romance film directed by Josef von Sternberg, written by Josef von Sternberg. The narrative dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Phillips Holmes as Clyde Griffiths.
Ending Explained: An American Tragedy
An American Tragedy Ending Explained: A social climber charms a debutante, seduces a factory worker and commits murder. Directed by Josef von Sternberg, this 1931 crime film stars Phillips Holmes (Clyde Griffiths), alongside Sylvia Sidney as Roberta 'Bert' Alden, Frances Dee as Sondra Finchley, Irving Pichel as District Attorney Orville Mason. With a 6.3/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of An American Tragedy?
A social climber charms a debutante, seduces a factory worker and commits murder.
How Does Phillips Holmes (Clyde Griffiths)'s Story End?
- Phillips Holmes: Phillips Holmes's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Sylvia Sidney (Roberta 'Bert' Alden): Sylvia Sidney's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Frances Dee (Sondra Finchley): Frances Dee's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of An American Tragedy Mean?
An American Tragedy's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Phillips Holmes may feel rushed. Josef von Sternberg's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.
An American Tragedy Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is An American Tragedy Based on a True Story?
Yes, An American Tragedy draws from real criminal cases and investigative records. Directed by Josef von Sternberg and starring Phillips Holmes, this crime, drama, romance film explores how real events have been adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version of An American Tragedy
The film takes creative liberties to strengthen its narrative. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
While inspired by real events, the narrative focuses more on storytelling than strict historical accuracy.
Accuracy Assessment: An American Tragedy uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch An American Tragedy?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Phillips Holmes or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Where to Watch An American Tragedy Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoAn American Tragedy Parents Guide & Age Rating
1931 AdvisoryWondering about An American Tragedy age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of An American Tragedy (1931) is 96 minutes (1h 36m). Directed by Josef von Sternberg, the film runs for 96 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.3/10, and global performance metrics, An American Tragedy is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1931 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is An American Tragedy worth watching?
An American Tragedy is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.3/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find An American Tragedy parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for An American Tragedy identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of An American Tragedy (1931)?
The runtime of An American Tragedy (1931) is 96 minutes (approximately 1h 36m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
