The Birthday Party (1968): cast, story & where to watch
1968 · Film · ★ 6.4
Released in 1968, The Birthday Party is a thriller, drama and mystery film directed by William Friedkin, running about 123 minutes.
What it’s about. Based on Harold Pinter's enigmatic play about a boarder in a British seaside dwelling who is visited by two strangers. They torment him verbally, ask him idiotic unanswerable questions, force him to sit down and stand up, and give him a "party". Then, eventually, they take him away, a tongue-tied idiot. The trivial becomes the terrible, and with it a certain wonder, a certain pity.
Who’s in it. The Birthday Party stars Robert Shaw as Stanley Webber, Patrick Magee as Shamus McCann, Dandy Nichols as Meg Bowles and Sydney Tafler as Nat Goldberg, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.4/10, The Birthday Party has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Birthday Party page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Birthday Party tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Birthday Party (1968)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Birthday Party change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Birthday Party worth watching?
- The Birthday Party holds an audience score of 6.4 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller, drama and mystery. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Birthday Party?
- The Birthday Party stars Robert Shaw, Patrick Magee, Dandy Nichols, Sydney Tafler and Moultrie Kelsall.