Wild River
A young bureaucrat for the Tennessee Valley Authority goes to rural Tennessee to oversee the building of a dam. He encounters opposition from the local people, in particular a farmer who objects to his employment (with pay) of local black laborers. Much of the plot revolves around the eviction of a stubborn octogenarian from her home on an island in the river, and the young man's love affair with that woman's widowed granddaughter. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with The Film Foundation.
Critics Sentiment
U.S. marshal removes Ella from Garth Island against her will
Walter warns Chuck about Bailey after seeing him with Carol
The film rises dramatically from Walter's confrontation scene to Bailey's violent beating of Chuck, gaining nearly 2 points as the social tensions explode into frightening mob violence.
Wild River maintains consistently strong critical reception throughout, anchored by Jo Van Fleet's universally acclaimed performance as Ella Garth and Kazan's masterful direction. The film builds steadily toward its emotional climax with the forced eviction, though some critics note the romantic subplot between Clift and Remick lacks the chemistry of the other dramatic elements. Overall, reviewers praise it as an underappreciated masterpiece that intelligently explores complex themes of progress versus tradition.
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