The Forgotten Village

The Forgotten Village
Theatrical release poster
Directed byHerbert Kline
Alexander Hammid
Screenplay byJohn Steinbeck
Story byJohn Steinbeck
Produced byAlexander Hammid
Herbert Kline
Narrated byBurgess Meredith
CinematographyAlexander Hammid
Edited byHerbert Kline
Music byHanns Eisler
Production
companies
Pan-American Films, Inc
Distributed byArthur Mayer & Joseph Burstyn
Release dates
  • 9 September 1941 (1941-09-09) (New York City)
  • 18 November 1941 (1941-11-18) (U.S.)
Running time
67 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguagesEnglish
Spanish

The Forgotten Village is a 1941 American docufiction film — some sources call it an ethnofiction film — directed by Herbert Kline and Alexander Hammid. Filmed in Mexico with local non-actors, it depicts life in a remote traditional pueblo where a folk healer comes into conflict with a teacher and outsiders who want to introduce modern medicine.

The story and screenplay were written by John Steinbeck, narration voiced by Burgess Meredith, and music scored by Hanns Eisler. Distribution was by the partnership of Arthur Mayer & Joseph Burstyn.

The New York State Board of Regents, acting as the state's board of censors, banned the film in New York due to the film's portrayal of childbirth and showing a baby at its mother's breast.