I saw this when I was 19, Im 61 now, its still touching

I was 10 years old in 77 when this aired on PBS that year. Even though I was just a kid, I loved it. Sada Thompson and Barbara Belle Geddes were two of my favorite tv ‘’mom like’’ actresses back then. Along with Hal Holbrook, John Houseman, Ned Beatty and Robby Benson - you can’t go wrong! I’m 54 now and watching it again.

This is the all around best version of "Our Town" that I've ever seen. Hal Holbrook is absolutely perfect as the Stage Manager.

Damn. "Our Town" has choked me up every time I've read or watched it. Watched the original movie version with my grandfather when he was the age I am now. Time keeps moving along.

This production was incredible, and now as I recall, faithful to Wilder's stage directions that there be a minimum of props so that the actors had to pantomime their actions. Some might fight this sparseness distracting, but I felt it further encouraged the imagination; our town could be your town, and therefore every town anywhere, just as the experiences of the residents in "Our Town" reflected the human experience universally. A brilliant play, celebrating the magic in the most ordinary existence, reminding us all to cherish each and every moment.

Whoever was doing the sound work with this production did an excellent job, every touch of a imaginary glass sounds like they are using real props

Played George my senior year of HS. I think that's a perfect time to watch this show, the message has always stuck with me. We all have to realize just how lucky we are to live and love while we still can.

45 years have passed. And there is still meaning to this play.

I had forgotten how wonderful this production was. Hal Holbrook, Ned Beatty, and the luminous Sada Thompson lead the totally stellar cast.

What an amazing cast. How lucky we were to have Barbara Belle Geddes & Sada Thompson bring they’re amazing talents to television.

Just watched it again after not having seen it in years.... So beautiful!! The cast is so good. Hal Holbrook is warm & comforting & wise as the narrator. And Robbie Benson & Glynis O'Connor shine as George & Emily. Their scenes are touching & believable, probably because the couple was dating when this was made.. I really love the scene when George & Emily discover that they love each other. Their voices crack with emotion, makes me want to cry every time. And of course Emily's scenes at the cementary, reliving the one day from her life..

We watched this play when I was in high school. My Mom cried when she saw it.

This is the best production of "Our Town". What a great cast!

This was broadcast on PBS when I was 12 and I was so deeply struck by it -- the oddness of the empty stage and pantomimed props, the mysterious heartache of Emily when she's falling in love with George and, of course, the devastating scene when she tries to go back and can't. Watching it now, at age 57, I feel like I am a ghost of the future watching that scene with my 12 year old self. I find this play as bleak as Beckett and profound as the Gospel. We won't live forever, but it might.

This, imo, is the quintessential version of OUR TOWN. I read that Thornton Wilder gave his mark of approval for this adaption of his play... A very moving production, & an excellent cast.

I love it whenever Hal Holbrook narrates; he's got such a warm, familiar delivery.

For me, Hal Holbrooke is the quintessential narrator for Our Town. Emily is perfect, too. The entire cast and everyone involved created a masterpiece in this production of Thornton Wilder's brilliant play. Thank you for this magical experience. Emily's closing speech helped me earn my last year of college tuition. This was a gift to me in many ways.

I've watched this three times What an amazing reminder to appreciate the every day.

This really is the best version. I thought Hal Holbrook, Sada Thompson, Ned Beatty, Charlotte Rae, Robby Benson and Glynnis O'Connor were all absolutely perfect in their roles.

Watching again with my granddaughter in 2021, relevant when I watched it in 77 and relevant today,my granddaughter has an essay assignment, I understand why her teacher assigned it, my granddaughter was shocked that I knew it,😃 it is a beautiful and touching play, a classic and one of the best.Virtual homework is very different from being at school, sad that the young people are having to go through so many changes, but this is an awesome assignment .

I'm sitting here in tears, and I'm nowhere near the end. The scene where Dr. Gibbs takes George to task for his treatment of his mother sneaked up on me. The understated dignity of Ned Beatty, and the way Robby Benson seems ashamed, and guilty to the point of tears is just beautiful. And Dr. Gibbs raises his allowance to let him know that it's ok, that George is ok, because Gibbs knew his son would take it hard. A brilliant scene, very movingly played.

RIP Hal Holbrook. You were a wonderful actor!

I saw this when I was 11. I loved it. It reminded me of hearing my grandma and her neighbor talking about "the good ole days."

This is the best production of "Our Town" I've ever seen...Captures both the joy and darkness of Wilder's view of life...It is not a sentimental play and its realistic view of the human condition stays with you. Thanks for posting this!!

I watched this as a kid on PBS, and it really affected me. Particularly the cemetary scene. I'm so pleased to be able to see it once more. Oh how the world has changed, and not necessarily for the better. I love anything with John Houseman. Remember The Paperchase?

I saw this when it first appeared live on t.v. IT reminds me so much of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania where I lived and went to school in the 1960's . It was such a beautiful town, so much like the one in this play. I dont think it is very nice any more.

One of my favorite plays. Happy I got to see a performance with my father.

Just last year I was in the ensemble for our production of Our Town, and honestly, it was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done! Even with few enough lines I could count them on my fingers, it changed me forever. My baseball player outfit felt like a flimsy piece of cardstock, and I had to bring in my own suit to play the dead person- I had to change costumes in 6 minutes to make my cue 😂. Now, I’m in a named role for another production of a different show! I still can’t stop thinking about this, though.

I remember watching this play just a few days before graduating from High School in 1978. I was still in the throes of final exams and needed a break from Physics and the incomprehensible principles governing fluid dynamics (Archmedes’ principle being one of them) when I turned on the TV late on a Saturday night (while all my other classmates were out celebrating) to find this play being televised. I was immediately drawn in…there was something about the plot that seemed so peculiarly relevant and applicable to the moment in which I was living. The fleeting passing of time….opportunities squandered and lost forever due to inertia or laziness or just not recognizing what those opportunities represented. I felt like the play was written FOR ME. I sat there in rapt attention, watching the play and stealing glances at the antique pocket watch my parents had given me that very afternoon (it was a family heirloom, engraved with the date, June 9, 1978 and “Love, Mom & Dad”). That watch and that play…I was convinced there was a message about time somewhere between the two of them. But was it a message to revel in it's seeming abundance or to take haste at its fleeting, temporal nature? I still have the watch, btw, although I lost Mom and Dad quite some time ago.

Brilliant production, outstanding performances... wept... Totally deserving of the Pulitzer. And a lesson in how to honour the moments. And memories.

Playing George in our High School production! Doing some research before we start rehearsals. I hope we do Thornton Wilder justice!

Rest In Peace Mr. Hal Holbrook. 2/17/25-1/23/21

Massive applause for Sada Thompson who I only knew as Kate in ABC'S drama Family in the 70s. What a marvelous actress.

It is sure to be one of the best performances of our towns. Perhaps the emotional performance of Emily and George will be difficult to see in the future. And it is the best place to see the life in the early 1900s.

I've been searching for this very production for YEARS. Thanks very much for the upload.

I was 21 when this came out. Haven't seen since then. Tremendous!! Goose bumps. Just an ordinary day in Grovers Corner......

I'm watching this for school any one from Miss Allens class HIIIIIIII, this is as good as the story I love it .

What a beautiful immersive production. Just a classic American play.

I'm playing the narrator in our school play! I am excited to start learning and acting out this incredible play.

I am so pleased to find this! I’ve often had students perform Emily’s final speech. And nothing beats being able to see (rather than just read) the play! Thank you so much 😊

Thank you so much for posting this. I so much wanted to share it with my granddaughters, but the $60 price of dvd on Amazon (the only other place that I could find it) was prohibitive.

We read this in school out loud. I played Emily and the boy I loved played George. I was dating someone else then. But my first love will always hold a place in my heart. Randy herald. 1986.

I worked back stage on the production of Our Town that we did in high school. Always enjoyed it. RIP to Hal Holbrook....a wonderful actor.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU for posting this!! IF you can find a DVD copy, it's over $100. By generously posting this to KZfaq, you've made this wonderful production available TO THE WORLD or until somebody yanks it. Just yesterday, I emailed Glynnis O'Connor just to tell her how much in love with her I used to be and to thank her for being who she is and sharing herself with us. I hope she gets it. Now, I can show this to my 16-year-old daughter, who dreams of being a film director. She can come to love this production too, because of your consideration. Again, Thank You!

historic play, marvelous cast, turns the clock back, but still appropriate today

This is absolutely the best version of this play, the cast is perfect. I am so happy to find it here, Thank you for posting this.

I love this play

I remember reading this play in one of my classes in high school; it had a very profound impact on me to say the least. Especially at 1:52:21 and the stage manager's response.

All of your comments are true. This is the definitive version of the play. The 1940 film is wonderful as well but this version is so profound, it should almost be required to see! It had such a profound effect on me that I recommended we do this for our Fall production in high school. The director agreed. I played Professor Willard!

"Take me back to my grave." Heartbreaking.......

My husband Charles Cyphers is in this too, he played Emily's cousin who came in for the funeral

the acting was so good in this production. I was in tears at the end. never knew this play was so beautiful. thank you for the great upload.

Thanks so much for uploading this. What an incredible cast.

I was Stage Manager in my highschool production. Such a great play.

I love this production and I am doing this very show at school I am Mrs. Webb

Wonderful, thanks for posting.

the best rendition of the best play

In less than a week I'll be starting this play. I'm quite nervous, as this is the first production I'll be doing in this company.

Veramente bella, brava, fatta con amore. Mi piace tanto, la cercavo da tanto tempo, finalmente l'ho trovata.

Today is the first rehearsal of my high school’s production of Our Town! I’m playing Bill Warren ( he was the Constable ) I am so excited!

Rest In Peace, Hal Holbrook. Best stage manager of all time.

Thanks for uploading. Happy memories of the GYPT (Gwent Young People's Theatre) production of 1980 something.

Yes, hi, I didn't ask for this existentialism toDAY-

thanks for uploading! was just cast as emily in my college's production and have been looking for a performance to watch to get the feel of the character. what a great actress!

Thanks so much for posting. been looking for this for ages. !

As a small child Our Town mesmerized me.

I was in this play in HS. I was Simon Stimson.

It's So Awesome 👍❤

Better than reading the play. Thanks

Love this play

This is the best production of this story.

In my class we are reading the play as a class and my teacher assigned to me and my class to watch this video so I guess this is pretty pog.

"Notre petite ville", un chef-d'oeuvre du théâtre américain!

Thank you for posting this have not seen this since it aired on TV perfect

I've never seen this version before. A nice treat for Sunday afternoon! Happy New Year!

Act 1, 0:20-45:20 Act 2, 45:20-1:27:26 Act 3, 1:27:26-1:57:54

RIP Hal Holbrook ❤️

I love how faithful the ending was to the book.

Wow what an impressive production, really touching. I completely understand why Wilder wanted the scenery to be minimal, it's like radio in a way, theater of the mind. I feel so privileged to have these special experiences just a click away.

Thank you so much. The memories....

For a while now I’ve been searching for this exact production because I watch this exact production of this play in school, and now I find it? Tell me what the heck!

our town very good do not know if new Zealand ever screened this production or even heard of it. in 1977 i would have been 15

Beautiful play.

You must see the film....most of the original cast. All the idiots that got to school, teach school or pretend to know anything should learn, teach KNOW this great American play. A life and time long gone but so relevant today. God Bless Thorton Wilder!

Wow I Just Watched this,Such a sad Story in a Way,Great Performances by the entire Cast.I’m an admirer of Glynnis O,Conner ,She’s Such a Cutie with her Former Boyfriend Robby Benson.I heard her say in interviews it was like real life and acting at the same time

45:20 Act 2 starts

I have to read this play and this makes it so much easier

Good lord this is phenomenal

This was amazing!

When Dr. Gibbs suggests George chop wood for his hard-working mother he ( the Dr.) knows all he has to do is toy around with George's emotions. I guess when Mrs. GIbbs complains of George not helping her Dr. thinks "I can see it's time for another tearjerking lecture."

and I love Robby Benson you know what I think that he looks hardly much older then me back when he did this made for TV play

bad bad memories i did this play with my drama group, it was quite fun. but this was the first play i had ever done and i was the stage manager._. i messed the very first line! THE FIRST LINE OF THE ENTIRE PLAY

R.I.P. Ned Beatty 1937- 2021

I'm auditioning for this play in a week or two and going for emily... fingers crossed!

Anyone else watching this for their summer work?

Miss Ellie!

Rebecca is adorable

Check out the version with Spaulding Gray as the Stage Manager. I think it's the best one. So does the Thornton Wilder Society.

pure fire

Glynnis O’Conner Beautiful Talented Wow!