Our Daily Bread (1934 film)

Our Daily Bread is a 1934 American pre-Code drama film directed by King Vidor. It stars Karen Morley, Tom Keene, and John Qualen. The film tells the story of John and Mary Sims, a young couple struggling to make a living during the Great Depression.

Facing eviction from their city apartment and desperate for work, John and Mary inherit a dilapidated farm. Unable to manage it alone, they invite other unemployed individuals to join them in forming a cooperative farm. The film depicts the hardships, conflicts, and eventual successes of the community as they learn to work together to cultivate the land and survive the economic crisis.

Vidor partially financed the film himself, mortgaging his own home after major studios rejected the project due to its socialist themes. While often interpreted as advocating for collective farming, Vidor maintained that the film focused on the importance of community and human ingenuity during times of adversity.

The film features realistic portrayals of agricultural labor and rural life. Notably, the climax of the film involves the cooperative's desperate attempt to dig an irrigation ditch to save their crops from a drought. This sequence is considered one of the most memorable and technically impressive scenes in American cinema from that era, showcasing the community's collective effort and determination.