ORDINARY PEOPLE (1979) Revised draft film script by Alvin Sargent

Burbank, CA: Wildwood Enterprises, 1979. Vintage original 11 x 8 1/2″ (28 x 22 cm.) film script. Brad bound, printed wrappers, mimeograph, 134 pp. There is a small chip at top right of front wrapper, overall near fine or better. Designated on title page as “REVISED DRAFT”.

Classic American drama film directed by Robert Redford in his feature directorial debut. The screenplay by Alvin Sargent is based on the 1976 novel of the same name by Judith Guest. The film follows the disintegration of a wealthy family in Lake Forest, Illinois, following the accidental death of one of their two sons and the attempted suicide of the other. It stars Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, and Timothy Hutton.

Ordinary People was released theatrically on September 19, 1980, by Paramount Pictures to critical and commercial success. Reviewers praised Redford’s direction, Sargent’s screenplay, and the performances of the cast. The film, which grossed $90 million on a $6.2 million budget, was chosen by the National Board of Review as one of the top ten films of 1980, and garnered six nominations at the 53rd Academy Awards, winning four: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor for Hutton (the youngest recipient at age 20).