The Graduate (1967) is one of my favorite movies and possibly my favorite film of the 1960s.

In the last 20 minutes of the film, the protagonist, Benjamin Braddock, wears an eggshell white hooded windbreaker (see above) as he races up and down California to win over Elaine, the daughter of the wife (Mrs. Robinson) with whom he’s had an affair. Above is a still from the final scene where both Ben and Elaine sit on the back of a bus as a lifetime of emotions pass through them in a matter of seconds (watch their faces).

The film offers phenomenal acting, brilliant camera work and atmospheric music (by Simon & Garfunkel) and of course an abundance of period-specific sartorial details on both the men and women. Check out the 1960s shorter jackets, trim shoulders and slim ties on the men in the film.

Additional links
Vanity Fair article on the making of The Graduate

5 thoughts on “1960s style: The Graduate”

  1. This is a great movie, though I dislike it's pessimism. This final scene is the absolute Kick in the Stomach of the whole movie.

  2. I seriously dislike this film. It might have been groundbreaking and subversive 40 years ago, but it has not aged well. A really depressing story populated with annoying characters.

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