About this product

Product Information

THE CIDER HOUSE RULES, an expertly crafted and intelligent adapation of John Irving's novel, explores themes of disappointment, ideas of moral ambiguity, and, indeed, lessons about life itself, woven into a dramatic story that is neither slow nor sentimental. Tobey Maguire is the immensely likable Homer Wells, a lifelong resident of a Maine orphanage who comes of age during WWII under the auspices of its director, Dr. Wilbur Larch (Michael Caine). Larch is pragmatic, progressive, highly intelligent, and loathe to let Homer go out into the world. He sees him as a son, and the only one whose medical training allows for him to take over when he retires from his job as physician, obstetrician, and illegal abortionist. When ingenue Candy (Charlize Theron) and air force adventurer Wally (Paul Rudd), come to Larch for help with an abortion, Homer befriends the couple and, against Larch's wishes, sets off with them to see the world, or at least the rest of Maine. Working at an apple orchard owned by Wally's mother (Kate Nelligan), Homer lives and works with a group of African-American migrant workers, among them the morally ambiguous Mr. Rose Delroy Lindo and his beloved daughter Rose Rose (Erykah Badu in a stunning debut). When Wally goes off to war, and Rose Rose gets into a complex and frightening situation, Homer is faced with serious choices and dilemmas that can only be solved by the wisdom he has learned from Larch. A classic, old-fashioned-style American film that deals directly with sensitive and taboo issues, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES is a beautifully acted, carefully paced story full of substance.

Product Identifiers

UPC0717951004918

eBay Product ID (ePID)3311755

Product Key Features

ActorMichael Caine, Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron

EditionCollector's Edition

RatingPG-13

Movie/TV TitleCider House Rules

DirectorLasse Hallstrom, Lasse Hallstrã¶M

FormatDVD

Release Year2000

GenreDrama

Additional Product Features

Region CodeRegion 1

Number of Discs1

Country/Region of ManufactureUSA

Display FormatCollector's Edition

Leading RoleMichael Caine, Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron

Film CountryUSA

Release Date20000815

Ratings and reviews

Learn more

4.7

50 product ratings

39 users rated this 5 out of 5 stars
8 users rated this 4 out of 5 stars
2 users rated this 3 out of 5 stars
0 users rated this 2 out of 5 stars
1 users rated this 1 out of 5 stars

Good value

Entertaining

Engaging characters

Most relevant reviews

See all 37 reviews

by fathecla_19
21 Aug, 2019Top favourable review
The middle of this film, when Homer works at the apple farm, should be deleated
The orphanage is much more believable than the silly sex scenes, which would have been really condemned by the owner of the apple farm. Also, before the 1960's, Blacks led better moral lives than the Whites did.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
by jbqjbqjohn
12 Nov, 2016Top critical review
Cider House Suggestions
This is a complicated tale with 2 focal points, an orphanage and a "cider house", residence for migrant apple pickers. Michael Caine is an amoral doctor at the orphanage. He does abortions (1940's), buries dead children on the grounds and trains his successor Toby McGuire, an older orphan, by apprenticeship. This character leaves for awhile and apprentices again as an apple picker. The title refers to the rules of the residence, which the residents cannot read, and are not following. McGuire has an affair with Charlize Theron, who had obtained an abortion from Caine. He disapproves of Caine's abortions, but finds himself doing the same at the cider house. I suppose he discovers that the rules are too difficult to be followed in the real world. McGuire returns to the orphanage and succeeds Caine, who has died, as doctor (no medical degree). I found the movie cynical and the characters unappealing. Still, it has some appeal. Caine won an Oscar for his role. I suppose the film is subtly pro-abortion as well. It may be worth it to puzzle out this complicated tale, but I found it depressing, nevertheless. Conclusion - rules are impractical and may be broken as necessary.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
by tnpvgyekqbw@deleted
17 Apr, 2019
A must see, heart felt coming of age story.
The story is heart felt and engaging from begining to end with the character Homer Wells played bt Toby Mcguire. He makes the story extra special and the children in the movie are sweet kids and act very well. Some of the topics could have been left out not acceptable behavier and sexual matters but the movie is still a must see for those who look at the warmth and love that is felt. It has a wonderful story and I give Toby McGuire a 5-star rating for his acting. Not recommended for young audiences. It' also a coming of age movie. Michael Cain supporting actor. Some wonderful cast in movie.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
by michaelambrech-0
20 Jan, 2018
Very good drama from someone who does not like dramas.
I read the book first and I loved the book. I am a fantasy fan all day and I hardly ever come across a book about real life that I love. Fantasy is about good vs evil. John Irving is today version of the moralist Charles Dickens.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
by rober9069
30 Oct, 2019
A John Irvin film! --- great novel writer!
What can I say! --- 7 Academy Awards! --- Awesome!
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
by dianes_picketfence_designs
21 Jun, 2017
Cider House Rules
A very good well written movie. Nice plot. Nice scenery. Good performances. Would recommend
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
by atitillm_3689
05 Apr, 2019
Classic movie
A very good story with a lot of great actors! A must see if you like dramas.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
by vroman2030
28 Aug, 2018
One of the rare movies that is almost as good as the book.
Engaging story line, touching and moving.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
by sudypeer21
25 Jul, 2022
Loving a different kind of family
This is really a good movie. Great actors. Compelling story. A must see.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
by ermich-5540
03 Jul, 2025
good actors in a good film
high quality
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned