This Happy Breed (1944): cast, story & where to watch
1944 · Film · ★ 7.1
Released in 1944, This Happy Breed is a comedy, drama, family and history film directed by David Lean, running about 115 minutes.
What it’s about. In 1919, Frank Gibbons returns home from army duty and moves into a middle-class row house, bringing with him wife Ethel, carping mother-in-law Mrs. Flint, sister-in-law Sylvia and three children. Years pass, with the daily routine of family infighting and reconciliation occasionally broken by a strike or a festival.
Who’s in it. This Happy Breed stars Robert Newton as Frank Gibbons, Celia Johnson as Ethel Gibbons, Amy Veness as Mrs. Flint and Alison Leggatt as Aunt Sylvia, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.1/10, This Happy Breed has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch This Happy Breed page.
If you liked it. Fans of This Happy Breed tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch This Happy Breed (1944)?
- In US, This Happy Breed is available to stream on Criterion Channel, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is This Happy Breed worth watching?
- This Happy Breed holds an audience score of 7.1 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy, drama, family and history. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in This Happy Breed?
- This Happy Breed stars Robert Newton, Celia Johnson, Amy Veness, Alison Leggatt and Stanley Holloway.