Wild River - The Masters Of Cinema Series [DVD]

The DVD case with this release carries a comment describing the film as a 'hidden gem'. How often has that promise been fulfilled for buyers? In this case, for me, it definitely was. I like most of Elia Kazan's films, and 'Wild River' is an excellent example of his work.Kazan gets fine performances out of the whole cast. He tells the story without flourishes or cinematic indulgences, pacing the action and character development with wonderful skill and feeling. (A fine musical score contributes to the mood.) The film starts out with newsreel footage of flooding along the Tennessee River in the 1930s. The use of historical material is a simple and effective way of setting up the situation: the attempt by a Tennessee Valley Authority bureaucrat to persuade a woman landholder to move off the island she owns in the river, the last property not yet repossessed for a dam project. But Kazan's film is not of the 'cinema realism' type. It is a study in character: the bureaucrat who comes to do a job in the public interest, the old woman who refuses to surrender her birthright, and her widowed granddaughter who craves to rejoin society. The story takes these three characters through a convincing and interesting journey. There are no plot surprises, and yet the outcome is never obvious. Jo Van Fleet, as the woman hold-out, gives a powerful portrayal of someone soured in her rightness. Montgomery Clift, as the bureaucrat, is as good here as in any of his films. The reserved quality of his acting style is put to good use, in character terms, by Kazan. Lee Remick, as the granddaughter, demonstrates the emotional range and subtlety of performance that marks her best work. She is also strikingly beautiful. This is a treasurable film.

A really intense film, partly based on real events, that needs to be watched on a day when you'll be able to handle its drama.Montgomery Clift plays the part of a confident and ambitious company man sent out to replace the out-going representative in a remote southern part of the US. His employer is the Government's national body charged with building dams, draining swamps and moving river courses - and he needs to get landowners to sell up and move.Standing in his way, opposed to the Government's plans, is one old lady. Supported by her family and workers, she makes his job harder than he's accustomed to. Along the way, he also happens to fall in love with a young widow who somebody else already had designs on. Stirring stuff. Recommended.

A first rate region free blu ray transfer of this classic film. Director Kazan and an outstanding cast brilliantly deliver a moving and powerful tale of racism, passion and regret in a surprisingly realistic CinemaScope production that has not received the accolades it deserves. The acting from the three leads is extraordinary in its naturalism and constantly undercut ones expectations of a Hollywood movie. Even if the ending is a little too "happy" to be believable this high quality blu ray is thoroughly recommended.

Very good film by Elia Kazan. A young representer of the Flood Authority has toe clear the area of its inhabitant. One old woman on a river island resists. She has developed the island with her late husband and her children. The acting of all actors is very good. The whole film is a great human tragedy. I liked it very much.

Finding this movie on Amazon and watching it again after all these years, ( i first saw it when age 16 ) was a real pleasure. The story impressed me greatly back then and it still has relevance in this age of global warming and and unpredictable weather. I was worried that it would prove to be a disappointing watch with my memories of the film colored by the passing years, but it was all that I had hoped it would be. Excellent acting, first class direction and I would recommend this movie to any one who appreciates a thought provoking story!And the transfer to DVD format is nearly faultless. A great watch thank you Amazon!Oh, and after all this time those eyes of Lee Remick are as seductive as ever!

This new North American release of "Wild River" has a much better visual quality to it than the previous Region 2 version (which I bought some time ago before this remastered version became available.) Colours are much more impressive and less washed out than the Region 2 disc.If you have a region free player, then this is the version you should buy. It also includes a commentary by Richard Shickel which is of moderate interest.

Lee Remick is remarkable in this film. It is worth seeing for her performance alone.