A government representative tries to convince a family matriarch to vacate land along the Tennessee River that will be flooded by a new dam.
Elia Kazan was a Turkish-Greek immigrant who grew up in New York City and co-founded the legendary Actors Studio in the mid-1940's. The organization (still in operation today) shepherded the careers of countless important American actors (as well as playwrights and directors) with a focus on the Method technique. Kazan took his groundbreaking theatre work to the big screen and completely changed the face of Hollywood acting with films featuring the young Marlon Brando (A Streetcar Named Desire, On The Waterfront) and James Dean (East of Eden).
Wild River comes after Kazan's fruitful run in the 1950's, after he had already won multiple Oscars and Tony awards for his direction. It marks his only collaboration with Montgomery Clift, an Actors Studio member who had similar success in the past decade as one of Hollywood's biggest stars and sex symbols. At the time of this production Clift was suffering from the effects of a car accident which had required facial plastic surgery and left the actor addicted to prescription medication.
In addition to adapting the works of important writers like Tennessee Williams and John Steinbeck, Kazan also made a number of films dealing with topical social issues. The story deals with the controversial Tennessee Valley Authority project begun after The Great Depression, which covered numerous states, and was the federal government's attempt to help the economic development in rural areas by bringing electricity, directing water flow, modern farming techniques, etc. Many opposed to the agency were suspicious of the government, especially those who were asked to relocate due to land displaced by the building of dams.
Alongside Clift, the film stars Lee Remick (another Actors Studio alum) and Jo Van Fleet, who won an Oscar for her film debut in Kazan's East Of Eden. Van Fleet, only 45 years-old at the time, plays a woman almost twice her age with staggering realism. Also featured are early roles by Bruce Dern and Rip Torn. The film was shot on location in Tennessee and conveys a palpable atmosphere.
While overlooked at the time, it is now regarded as one of Kazan's finest works, and was a personal favorite of the director. His ability to switch from manic intensity to somber delicacy is a lesson in tone control and an example of how Kazan's talent extended far beyond handling his gifted actors.
Running time is approx 1 hr, 45 min.
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