Wild River Details

This was a commercial failure for Elia Kazan, one of the key directors of postwar American cinema. But today this study of an old woman's intransigence when faced by the Tennessee Valley Authority's need to sequester her property in order to build a dam proves to be an intelligent and moving film. Montgomery Clift gives a superbly tender performance in one of his last and most tortured roles, and Lee Remick is touching as his confidante. There's also a sharply-etched portrait by Jo Van Fleet (East of Eden) in the role of the old woman, and watch out, too, for Bruce Dern in his movie debut.

Interesting liberal-minded sociological drama marred by an added love story, as the similar Last Days of Dolwyn was marred by melodrama. Well made but somehow unmemorable.