The Great Lie (1941): cast, story & where to watch
1941 · Film · ★ 6.8
Released in 1941, The Great Lie is a drama film directed by Edmund Goulding, running about 108 minutes. “Sometimes there's a terrible penalty for telling the truth.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. After a newlywed's husband apparently dies in a plane crash, she discovers that her rival for his affections is pregnant with his child.
Who’s in it. The Great Lie stars Bette Davis as Maggie Patterson Van Allen, George Brent as Peter 'Pete' Van Allen, Mary Astor as Sandra Kovak and Hattie McDaniel as Violet, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.8/10, The Great Lie has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $689.3K at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Great Lie page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Great Lie tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Great Lie (1941)?
- In US, The Great Lie is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Great Lie worth watching?
- The Great Lie holds an audience score of 6.8 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Great Lie?
- The Great Lie stars Bette Davis, George Brent, Mary Astor, Hattie McDaniel and Lucile Watson.
- When was The Great Lie released?
- The Great Lie was released in 1941, with a runtime of about 108 minutes.