THE SEA OF GRASS

US, 1947, 131 minutes, Black and White.
Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Melvyn Douglas, Phyllis Thaxter, Robert Walker, Edgar Buchanan, Harry Carey.
Directed by Elia Kazan.

The Sea of Grass was the fourth teaming of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. This is an epic western, a psychological drama, rather than an action western. It is set in the New Mexico area, the 1880s to the turn of the century and the power of the cattlemen on the sea of grass with the incoming settlers who ploughed up the land and turned it into a desert.

Tracy is persuasive as the cattle baron, Hepburn as his long-suffering wife who cannot share his vision and who spends 20 years away from her husband. Melvyn Douglas is also very good as the lawyer for the incoming settlers - whose life is complicated by his relationship to Hepburn. Robert Walker and Phyllis Thaxter star as the son and daughter, though they don't appear until almost the end of the film. Harry Carey and Edgar Buchanan give very sympathetic, typical performances as Doc and Jeff, the cook.

The film is very serious-minded, raises themes about the American heritage as well as the complexity of human and family relationships. Those wanting action westerns will find it particularly long and tedious.

The film was directed by Elia Kazan, who had just won an Oscar for Gentlemen's Agreement and was to win another one for On The Waterfront.

1. Epic western? The end of the 19th century? The opening up of the west? Cattlemen and farmers? The populating of the west? The destruction of the sea of grass?

2. Black and white photography, MGM production values? Locations and period? Score and melodies?

3. The title, the grazing empire of the west, the significance of the sea of grass, its destruction?

4. Lutie and St Louis, her family, the wedding, going to meet Jim, friendship with Selina? Encountering Brice, his performance in the court, Jim's behaviour and speeches? The cattlemen versus the settlers? The situation, the wedding, the house? Her charming Jeff in the kitchen, meeting the men? Her way of life on the property, trying to hear what Jim heard in the sea of grass? Her loneliness, her pregnancy? Helping Selina and her husband?

5. Jim and his beliefs, self-confidence? People not liking him? Seeing God's plan for the plains and the grass? Nature? The law against him, the settlers? The cattle herds? Brice and his stands? His love for Lutie, not being at home? The men and their support of him? Wanting Lutie to share his vision?

6. Selina and Sam, Lutie wanting to help, Jim allowing them to settle, their suffering, leaving, their bitterness?

7. The effect on Lutie, the birth of Sarah Beth? Her hopes, being dashed? The decision to leave, meeting Brice in Denver, in love with him, the sleigh ride? Her return, the piano, the reconciliation? Wanting to make up to Jim? The birth and her delirium, his knowing the truth? The strain? The possibilities of staying? The law against Jim, Chamberlain's role? Her not being able to agree with her husband, yet loving him? His sending her away, the farewell to the children?

8. Lutie's going, with Brice but not able to stay with him? Her return to see the children and their not recognising her? Her absence for decades? Reading about Brock? Returning to help?

9. Jim alone, the settlers, the fruitful seasons, the drought? Defeat? Devoting himself to his children, spoiling them, especially Brock? Their fights? His not mentioning their mother?

10. The children, growing up, the fights, knowing the truth? Sarah Beth and her going to school? Her return? Brock, gambling, spoilt, drinking? The game and the taunts about Chamberlain as his father, the shooting? Chamberlain getting him out on bail? His return to Jim, leaving? Trying to protect Jim? The shoot-out, dying in Jim's arms, trying to honour Jim?

11. Sarah Beth and her hostility to her mother, the funeral, attacking Lutie, breaking down, asking her to stay?

12. Lutie and Jim, the funeral, her being in the house, her staying, the regrets? Lost time?

13. Doc and his friendship, the letters to Lutie, his dying advice to Jim? Jeff, his fussiness about the kitchen, succumbing to Lutie's charm, helping her? A close friend? Looking after the children?

14. Chamberlain, the law, the idealist, in court, the socials with Lutie, in love with her, meeting her in Denver, fathering the child, not being able to prevent her return? Being appointed judge, the cases, his influence in the town, clashes with Jim, learning to live with him? Failure?

15. A grim vision of the west and the American heritage?