Is The Big City Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, The Big City is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 136 minutes and offers a solid storyline that appeals to general audiences.
The Big City Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1963, The Big City emerges as a significant entry in the Drama domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of After her husband loses his job, a housewife from a middle-class, conservative family in Calcutta gets a job as a salesperson. Unlike standard genre fare, The Big City attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a refreshing take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Big City features a noteworthy lineup led by Madhabi Mukherjee . Supported by the likes of Anil Chatterjee and Haren Chatterjee , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: The lead actors exhibit a remarkable range, navigating the emotional peaks and valleys of their respective characters with a precision that makes every motivation feel earned.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Big City (1963) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.8/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
The Big City Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: The Big City is a Drama film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
The Big City Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: The Big City resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, creating a memorable conclusion that audiences have responded to positively.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes in a way that feels organic to the story.
The final moments of The Big City demonstrate careful narrative planning, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Big City?
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Drama cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate emotionally resonant character studies and meaningful themes
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
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Full Cast & Crew of The Big City
- Madhabi Mukherjee – Arati Mazumdar
- Anil Chatterjee – Subrata Mazumdar
- Haren Chatterjee – Priyogopal Mazumdar
- Haradhan Bandyopadhyay – Himangshu Mukherjee
- Vicky Redwood – Edith Simmons
Top Highlights
Madhabi MukherjeeArati Mazumdar
Anil ChatterjeeSubrata Mazumdar
Haren ChatterjeePriyogopal Mazumdar
Haradhan BandyopadhyayHimangshu Mukherjee
Vicky RedwoodEdith Simmons
Jaya BachchanBani Mazumdar
Sefalika DeviSarojini Mazumdar
Prasenjit SarkarPintu Mazumdar
Shyamal GhoshalAnupam
Gitali RoyAnupam's Wife
Where to Watch The Big City Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
HBO Max
HBO Max Amazon Channel
Criterion Channel🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
The Big City is rated U. It is generally suitable for all ages.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7.8/10, and global collection metrics, The Big City stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1963 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Big City movie hit or flop?
The Big City is considered a hit based on audience response and box office performance. With a rating of 7.8/10, it's highly recommended for fans of Drama movies.
Is The Big City worth watching?
Yes, The Big City is definitely worth watching! It's a must-watch hit for fans of Drama cinema.
Where can I watch The Big City online?
The Big City is currently available for streaming on HBO Max. You can also check for it on platforms like HBO Max, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel depending on your region.
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How The Big City Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Big City
Rating: 9.5 / 10
"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door."Owing to a banking failure typical of the post-independence India, Subrata(Anil Chatterjee) loses his job and must reconcile with the shortcomings of the situation, his insecurities as his wife Arati(Madhabi Mukherjee) becomes the sole breadwinner of the family. Arati's story feels both intricately real and extremely personal as the narrative flows from the tantrums at home to the politics at the office, and she must learn to be adept at handing either of them as she gets to mingle with other classes and races of the society, breaking through her shyness in both her appearance and her speech. The Big City (মহানগর) leaves us ruminating at the grappling for opportunities at the transience of hope and progress, regardless of race and gender, amongst a myriad of opportunities and the humdrum of the bustling citizens. This work from Ray gains its mammoth significance as he makes the viewers truly manages to care for this simple family with a simple narrative, with a true sense of depth and detail, yet somehow remaining weightless and effortless in depicting the social evolution. A true masterpiece.
— Milton Berle
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
Useful Links
Browse All Box Office ReportsGlobal Hit-or-Flop VerdictsIs it Worth Watching? GuideIs The Big City Worth Watching?The Big City Box Office VerdictThe Big City Collection & BudgetWhere to Watch The Big City OnlineBest Movies of 1963Top Rated Drama MoviesMore Drama MoviesMadhabi Mukherjee Movies & Hits
