It's difficult for me to rate this remarkable David O. Selznick production. A very good cast, a high budget, an intense family drama... it should have resulted in a better movie than this. Nevertheless, it is a great spectacle. It's over the top and excessive, but never boring.
The sensuality of the film was quite scandalous for the time (it was nicknamed "Lust in the Dust"). The torrid, tortured romance between Pearl (Jennifer Jones) and Lewt (Gregory Peck) is interesting because you don't see many characters like Pearl in classic westerns. She wants to be good, but she is weak and can't resist the evil man. It's disconcerting to see Peck playing such a despicable character, with no principles nor scruples. He is half a rapist and only misses the other half because of how willingly she ends up falling into his arms once and again.
Great supporting cast, starting with Lionel Barrymore as the formidable but unlikable patriarch.
There is little subtlety in this film. It could perhaps have used some better editing. It is excessive, but also memorable, with some good visuals and an unexpected final scene.
The sensuality of the film was quite scandalous for the time (it was nicknamed "Lust in the Dust"). The torrid, tortured romance between Pearl (Jennifer Jones) and Lewt (Gregory Peck) is interesting because you don't see many characters like Pearl in classic westerns. She wants to be good, but she is weak and can't resist the evil man. It's disconcerting to see Peck playing such a despicable character, with no principles nor scruples. He is half a rapist and only misses the other half because of how willingly she ends up falling into his arms once and again.
Great supporting cast, starting with Lionel Barrymore as the formidable but unlikable patriarch.
There is little subtlety in this film. It could perhaps have used some better editing. It is excessive, but also memorable, with some good visuals and an unexpected final scene.