'The Lottery' 1969 Short Film (ENGLISH + PORTUGUESE SUBTITLES)

This small bucolic American town hides a macabre secret. Every year the townsfolk come together to hold the "Lottery". But it is no prize that anyone would want to win.

Shirley Jackson's short story of the same name caused a firestorm of indignation, outrage and confusion in 1948 when her story was published in The New Yorker Magazine without a warning: This is a Work of Fiction!! Until that moment, the magazine had never received so many letters from readers!

The Lottery is meant for us to reflect on human nature: what are we truly capable of? Are we all capable of brutality and violence, given the correct environment for it to emerge?

[daminox]

Interesting how Tessie is so upbeat and jovial at the start. She has no issue with the existence of the lottery because throughout her life it was always someone else being sacrificed. She never thought it could happen to her. That says a lot about complacency's role in the perpetuity of injustice.

[maiiko]

The kids picking up those rocks in the beginning was a BIG foreshadowing of the ending.

[WorkingCrassShero]

The acting is so natural and effortless. I think a modern adaptation would be too heavy-handed. This feels real. This adaptation, simple, effective, and haunting, is probably the best I've seen of Jackson's work. It feels like we're watching something we weren't ever meant to see. Bravo to all involved.

[williamfincher]

They've been conditioned to see it as necessary and perfectly acceptable. They are so used to it that they don't even see it as wrong.

[dirkstarbuck]

I remember reading this in middle school (83/84) and being shocked by the ending!! It always stuck with me. But I wasn’t aware of this movie until now. Just as shocking in this naturalistic presentation! Thanks for sharing!!

[bunpeishiratori]

I remember watching this in junior high English class around 1975. I think this is very well made.

[kyleethekelt]

This story never fails to horrify me. It did at intermediate school where I first read it and saw the film, and it does now. I'm just grateful they didn't draw wwe Davey, though having someone actually give him, too young yet to understand what's happening, some pebbles in the full expectation of his participation doesn't bear thinking about. Old Man Warner's line about the lottery and the corn points to this as some kind of harvest sacrifice, as old as human settlement. That he still appears to believe it indicates not only a small life but a small, unquestioning and incurious mind to go with it. Unfortunately our modern world appears to be full of such people. This is a true classic. Thanks for sharing.

[gry]

I thought she will win millions of dollars lol, I wondered why she looks more worried than happy

[mcd]

I have a test about some short storys tomorrow, this is one of those storys, I find it really interesting and the video helped me alot with understanding the sory. Thanks!

[applesewer]

Just read this story for the first time today. Really creepy and powerful. For some reason I thought Bill's daughter was the one who got picked at the end. I guess I got mixed up over the names of Tessie and Nancy. I thought Tessie nominated her. Probably why I found it so disturbing on first read. Still creepy nonetheless.

My initial interpretation is that it feels like a symbol of all the crazy practices that humans have done that seem barbaric looking back, but at the time, when the practices are normal and a strong tradition has built up, we don't realise how crazy and barbaric the practice is. For instance, some cultures used to sacrifice their children in fires, and today practices like circumcision might be seen as crazy and barbaric once the practice has been ended.

So I think it's about human nature and how nonchalantly we can conform to traditions that make no sense. That'd be my take.

[jakester]

15:11 -- The part I always remember.... Nancy and Bill Jr showing their blank piece of paper and smiling EAR to EAR!

[sasa-ke]

Id be sneaking a look at that paper and if i got the black spot id be edging towards my strategically parked car and voom

[Jacob-czsr]

Did anyone else notice how the watsons son said hes drawing for his mother and him, this means their dad was picked in the lottery last time

[ItsKatieYall]

We first read this story im 7th grade and we were shook. We are now writing an essay on it and I decided to come watch the movie version 😭 the fact they gave her kids rocks to stone their Mom...

[JuicyBurger]

Wow that ending was intense, the acting and camera work felt so real that I genuinely felt terrified.

[lonesome_george]

I read this story last week, and I haven't been feeling well since then. Worse still is the fact that the story reflects the real world.

[NoLifeButTheater]

I remember reading a play version of it in middle school drama class. 17 years later and it still sticks with me.

[bananabrain]

Recently, I read Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, and wanted to experience some of her other works. What an amazing author. And it's really amazing to be able to see a short film done of this piece! Thanks so much for posting this online for us to see for free :)

[WG-tthk]

Excellent copy. Thanks for the quality download.

[xlwlrma]

my prof's right. you'll go "oh shit" with the ending. lol