Wild River 1960
"The Wild Language... The Wild Hungers... The Wild Furies!"
Elia Kazan's *Wild River (1960)* weaves a poignant drama set against the backdrop of 1930s Tennessee, where progress clashes with tradition.
Director: Elia Kazan
Cast
Montgomery Clift
Chuck Glover
Lee Remick
Carol Garth Baldwin
Jo Van Fleet
Ella Garth
Albert Salmi
Hank Bailey
Jay C. Flippen
Hamilton Garth
James Westerfield
Cal Garth
Bruce Dern
Jack Roper
Barbara Loden
Betty Jackson
Frank Overton
Walter Clark
Malcolm Atterbury
Sy Moore
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wild River (1960) about?
*Wild River (1960)* follows Chuck Glover, a Tennessee Valley Authority agent sent to rural Tennessee to oversee a dam project that will displace local residents. His efforts to modernize the region force him to confront the resistance of stubborn landowners, especially the elderly Ella Garth, who refuses to leave her ancestral home. Amid the turmoil, Chuck falls for Ella's granddaughter, Betty, in a story that explores the tension between progress and tradition.
Who directed Wild River?
Wild River was directed by Elia Kazan, the acclaimed filmmaker known for his sharp character studies and socially conscious dramas like *A Streetcar Named Desire* and *On the Waterfront*.
Who stars in Wild River?
The film features Montgomery Clift as Chuck Glover, with Lee Remick as Betty, Jo Van Fleet as Ella Garth, and Albert Salmi in a supporting role.
Is Wild River (1960) worth watching?
While *Wild River (1960)* may not boast the same widespread recognition as Kazan's other works, its intimate drama and striking themes make it a compelling watch for fans of classic American films. The movie's focus on human conflict and change offers a rich viewing experience, though its slower pace may not appeal to everyone.
How long is Wild River?
Wild River has a runtime of 110 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
About Wild River (1960) — A Tennessee Valley Drama of Resistance and Romance
Elia Kazan's *Wild River (1960)* weaves a poignant drama set against the backdrop of 1930s Tennessee, where progress clashes with tradition. Montgomery Clift stars as Chuck Glover, a determined bureaucrat sent by the Tennessee Valley Authority to oversee the construction of a dam that would reshape the land and its people. His mission takes a deeply personal turn when he becomes entangled in the lives of locals resisting displacement, particularly the stubborn yet resilient Ella Garth (Jo Van Fleet), a landowner refusing to surrender her island home. As Chuck navigates the tensions between duty and empathy, he finds himself drawn to Ella's widowed granddaughter, Betty (Lee Remick), in a romance that mirrors the film's broader themes of change and resistance.
Kazan crafts a visually striking and emotionally charged narrative, where the untamed forces of nature and human will collide. The film's atmosphere is one of quiet intensity, exploring the collision of old-world values with the inexorable march of modernity. With its rich character dynamics and evocative storytelling, *Wild River (1960)* stands as a testament to Kazan's mastery of blending personal and political drama.
