This film is based on a novel by Conrad Richter. The setting is the Great
Plains in 1880 and it continues 20-25 years later. Lutie Cameron travels
from St. Louis to New Mexico to marry cattleman Col. James B. ‘Jim’
Brewton. They have had a short courtship and she learns that Jim is
considered to be a tyrant in his hometown of Salt Fork, New Mexico. He is
very protective of the Sea of Grass where he grazes his cattle. He
doesn’t mind using force to keep homesteaders off the government owned
land. After they marry, Lutie persuades Jim to encourage Sam and Selina
Hall along with their young daughter to file for land homestead near their
property.
The
country is tough and Jim Brewton is even tougher!! Lutie tries to embrace
both the land and Jim. A lot of times they don’t see eye-to-eye on their
views especially concerning the sea of grass. Lutie and Jim change over
time and so does the land. Elia Kazan, the director, didn't like the
finished film and he advised his friend not to watch it. 3 ½* (I liked
this movie)
123 min, Drama directed by
Elia Kazan with Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Robert Walker, Melvyn
Douglas, Phyllis Thaxter, Edgar Buchanan, Harry Carey, Ruth Nelson, William
‘Bill’ Phillips, Robert Armstrong, James Bell.
Note: Imdb 6.5 out of
10, 17% critic 34% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, TCM 2.5* out of 4*, Amazon 4.3*
out of 5* with 42 reviews.
Special Note: This is
the fourth movie Hepburn and Tracy made together, it was the most popular
commercially of all their films. It was filmed in New Mexico, Nebraska,
Arizona and California. The Sea of Grass refers to a vast grazing empire
that once covered the western part of North America from the Great Plains to
the Rocky Mountains and beyond.
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