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Carnal Knowledge

Play trailer Poster for Carnal Knowledge R 1971 1h 36m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 37 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Nice guy Sandy (Art Garfunkel) and charming schemer Jonathan (Jack Nicholson) meet as college roommates in the late 1940s. Sandy woos and eventually marries the sweetly virginal Susan (Candice Bergen) without knowing that she had cheated on him with Jonathan. Years later, his marriage faltering, Sandy attempts to mimic Jonathan's promiscuous womanizing, while the misogynistic Jonathan finally tries his hand at monogamy with the gorgeous but emotionally needy Bobbie (Ann-Margret).
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Carnal Knowledge

Carnal Knowledge

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Critics Consensus

Although it comes lopsidedly from the male gaze, Carnal Knowledge is a sexually frank and ferociously well-acted battle between the sexes.

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Critics Reviews

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Derek Smith Slant Magazine Jul 21, 2025
Mike Nichols’s divisive fourth feature is a fascinating cultural artifact. Go to Full Review Paul D. Zimmerman Newsweek Feb 12, 2020
Nichols has broken thoroughly now with his stage beginnings, integrating camera and action easily, using space and silence with the fluency of a man at home behind a lens. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety Feb 8, 2008
A rather superficial and limited probe of American male sexual hypocrisies. Go to Full Review David Harris Spectrum Culture May 12, 2026
In Carnal Knowledge, we are seeing the grotesque core of the male psyche, the embodiment of the minds that led women to stand up against them with the #MeToo movement. Go to Full Review Joshua Ryan FandomWire Jul 17, 2025
7/10
Nichols, holding the rare honor of the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony winner), excels at bringing the best out of his performers. Go to Full Review Frank J. Avella The Contending Jul 15, 2025
B
Feiffer has a way of capturing men and their inflated egos—that competitive nature—but also the disgusting way they see women, in such an honest manner that it’s often painful to watch. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Bill T @btreakle Jul 14, 2026 “Carnal Knowledge “ 1961This film made in 1971 starring uh jackalson Candice Bergen and Ann Margaret and including Art Garfunkel was a pretty risque movie for the time.Movie was about friendship devotion and trust and the lack thereof. About a time when morals were changing in the United states and all across college campuses. This change affected both sexes male and female and this movie does a good job exploiting the sexual revolution of the 60s. Now if you don’t like nudity then this is not a picture for you I thought it was done in taste and depicted the time period in which the film was done. I enjoyed the film and I recommended that those with an open mind. See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Feb 13, 2026 Eh, it was boring. Shouldn't be 18+ on CSM because there's no frontal nudity. Good messages about relationships. See more rex w @RT11010153 Dec 2, 2025 I watched "Carnal Knowledge" for the first time when I was about 19, and it captivated me. Even today, it continues to fascinate me. I recognize many people I've known over the years reflected in the characters of this film. It illustrates how unhappy individuals can be, even when they seem to have everything going for them. I believe it is valuable viewing for any budding adult. See more Alec B @Alec97 Jan 10, 2024 An extremely unpleasant movie, I get that is kind of the point but I think that the screenplay does get a little repetitive. Fortunately the performances are top notch across the board suggesting deeper complexities in the characters. See more Jul 26, 2022 A powerful study of misogyny. See more Jan 30, 2022 A brilliant film that still lacerates 50 years after its release. Sometimes funny but really remarkably sad. The saddest character of them all is Bobbie played by the gorgeous Ann-Margret --- proving for the first time what an excellent actress she is. She has no sense of self and her desperation is palable. Everyone knows she is every man's fantasy but her. Nicholson is so brave to play such a despicable man but he is brilliant. A classic. See more Read all reviews
Carnal Knowledge

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Cast & Crew

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Mike Nichols

Director

Jack Nicholson

Jonathan Fuerst

Art Garfunkel

Sandy

Ann-Margret

Bobbie

Candice Bergen

Susan

Rita Moreno

Louise

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Carnal Knowledge

Carnal Knowledge (1971) Carnal Knowledge (1971) Carnal Knowledge (1971) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Nice guy Sandy (Art Garfunkel) and charming schemer Jonathan (Jack Nicholson) meet as college roommates in the late 1940s. Sandy woos and eventually marries the sweetly virginal Susan (Candice Bergen) without knowing that she had cheated on him with Jonathan. Years later, his marriage faltering, Sandy attempts to mimic Jonathan's promiscuous womanizing, while the misogynistic Jonathan finally tries his hand at monogamy with the gorgeous but emotionally needy Bobbie (Ann-Margret).
Director
Mike Nichols
Producer
Mike Nichols
Screenwriter
Jules Feiffer
Distributor
AVCO Embassy Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Criterion Collection, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Cosmos Films, AVCO Embassy Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 30, 1971, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 5, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$33.7K
Runtime
1h 36m
Sound Mix
Mono
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