WILD RIVER

US, 1960, 115 minutes, Colour.
Montgomery Clift, Lee Remick, Jo Van Fleet, Albert Salmi, Jay C. Flippen.
Directed by Elia Kazan.

Wild River is an impressive film by Elia Kazan. Kazan, an actor turned director and writer, with social leanings, had made such striking films as A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Gentlemen's Agreement (Oscar 1947) and Boomerang in the 40s. In the 50s he made such impressive films as Viva Zapata, On The Waterfront (Oscar 1954), East of Eden, Baby Doll. He was not to make so many films after Wild River: America, America, an autobiographical film in 1963, The Arrangement, a big business study from his own novel in 1969, The Visitors from his novel in 1971, The Last Tycoon in 1976. Wild River takes questions about the Tennessee valley and the building of dams in the 30s and the repercussions on individual citizens. It shows both sides quite effectively and the tension generated by progress in such communities. Montgomery Clift and Lee Remick are effective in the central roles, but Jo Van Fleet is memorable in the role of the old lady who has to be evicted. She had won her Oscar for best supporting actress in Kazan's East of Eden, 1955. Photographed beautifully in colour and Cinemascope, the film is interesting, entertaining and does raise questions about environment.

1. What was the overall impact of this film? The relevance of the theme for understanding the 30s? The fact that it was made in the early 60s? The impact and importance in later decades?

2. The film was a critical success. It was not popular? Is this understandable?

3. Comment on the film's use of colour, locations, Cinemascope, the background of the Tennessee Valley Authority?

4. How important was the quality of the performances for the film? The impact in human terms of the environmental problem?

5. How well did the film incorporate human interest in an American historical situation? In the environmental clash? In the American Pioneer tradition?

6. The film's focus on the river in the title? The presentation of the river at the beginning. its destructive impact? The newsreel reportage style of the opening? The situation of the people who lived on the river? Settling the land and the pride of their heritage? The importance of Ella's allegory about the black man's dog? The rights of people to take away other peoples rights? The river finally destroying the house? The symbolism of the burning of Ella's house? Her grave at the end and its not being flooded? The ending with the optimistic dam contrasting with the initial flood? How are the river, the island, the house, the grave, the dam, the ingredients for a visual summary of the themes?

7. How important for the film's themes was the collaboration of the people of the place? The Southern states, the Tennessee River ravaging the islands and the land? The pioneer spirit? The isolated life of these people? Their living earned from the land? Pioneer stock but depressed? The relationship of negroes and whites? The ill feeling in the town, the mayor, the sheriff, the vigilantes? The attitude towards people from outside? How successful a drawing of a picture of an isolated depressed community was this?

8. How important was the visual presentation of the times; the 30s, the depression, race relationships in those times, the New Deal and suspicion of future development etc.?

9. The character of Chuck, an outsider, his confidence, his belief in his job? The initial contact with the guards and their hostility? His sensitivity as a person, as a gentleman? His being humiliated yet persisting? The importance of his listening to Carol? His changing of attitude towards people, yet belief in his work? The importance of his love for Carol? Humiliation by the people? The vigilantes? How well was his character explored? The defect of the environment and the people around him? As a gentle hero for the film?

10. Carol as a young woman of this place and this time? Her relationship with Ella, as a widow, not having the opportunity to talk, her response to Chuck, her change in growing in love? How convincing was this transformation? The insight into a woman and her relationship with a man? Her relationship to her children? Building a future?

11. How central was the role of Ella? The success of Jo Van Fleet's performance? The film's focusing on her face? Her indomitable attitude and her strength? Her stubbornness and her age? The significance of her speeches and the way they were filmed? The pathos of the eviction? Her ageing and dying when she left the island? The burning of the house, the significance of her grave on an island in the river? How important was her character as a focus on the film?

12. The importance of the supporting characters, as developed characters in the film, their contribution to the plot and to themes; Bailey and his arrogance, Walt and his relationship with Carol, his being used by the locals, his change of heart and supporting Carol and Chuck; the sheriff and the mayor etc.? What values did these people illustrate?

13. How interestingly presented were the environmental and economic issues? Were they made clear? What stance did the film take? How sensible a stance?

14. How did the film illustrate that an enjoyable and interesting film can be made out of a historical and social theme?