Raintree County (Widescreen Roadshow Version) [VHS]

I like RAINTREE COUNTY. I rate it in my top 10 or 20 films. (If you rank films it often seems we need more space in our top 10 doesn't it?) Essentially the film seems magical for me. It is a somewhat offbeat and disturbing epic that seems to captivate the viewer. In one instance it demonstrates tried and true Hollywood conventional storytelling at its best. Yet at other times it goes off into a nether land of the mysterious wonderment of what the beautiful side of life holds for the passionate seeker of such exquisite bewilderment. And still yet it juxtaposes this quest for seeking the secret of such profound and beautiful emoluments of nature to a darker and mysterious side the human psyche that befuddles and hinders the quest and ability to appreciate these wonders. All this set against the backdrop of the Civil War the film seems to somehow mirror and metaphorically explain the complexities of the conflict without truly stating in strong visual terms the sentiments of the North and South. The Civil War was a conflict characterized initially as one of nobility to a cause, clouded by dreams of glory that eventually came to a realization that all the death and destruction and waste of human energies was neither noble and certainly was not characterized by ideals of glory or other such aspirations.I suppose I could go on at length and talk about many of the esoterically interesting aspects of RAINTREE COUNTY but one scene really comes to mind and continues to captivate me. Late in the film during the Civil War sequence Lee Marvin gives one of the most wonderful lines in the film that sort of sums up the realization of what RAINTREE COUNTY really means. He yells out across to a band of rebels behind the thick brush, "I come from Raintree County." And then he speaks softly to himself in fond memory "I come from Raintree County." He has come full circle. The Raintree means many things to those that believe. This one tender moment of reflection by Marvin, "Flash" Perkins, affirms that. On a personal note Montgomery Clift's real life disfiguring accident during this film only heightens the enigmatic quality that this film holds. We truly don't know what could have been. We can only wonder and believe that something greater was at work on this production. Johnny Green's low-key emotionally fervent and almost unearthly score beckons the viewer to imagine greater things that can be only be inspired from some spiritual notions from the heavens. Both Elizabeth Taylor's and Eva Marie Saint's competition for Montgomery Clift's affections take second place to Clift's yearning for truth and understanding spurned by the expressive performance of Nigel Patrick as Professor, Jerusalem Webster Stiles, who has continually mystified Clift's yearning for life's answers. And so it happened long ago in RAINTREE COUNTY.

It was great

So many good actors and actresses, such a lush setting for visuals, but it just doesn't have the magic of a good move.

This tedious three hour drama, containing about an hour and a half’s worth of actual dramatics, never comes to life. Made by the Olympus of Hollywood filmmaking, MGM, at the height of its powers, it is odd how incompetent the film is, despite its lavish production and top stars.As a Civil War-era romantic tragedy, this film is compared to GONE WITH THE WIND, but in style and impact the two films are worlds apart:-In GWTW, the viewer experiences the relentless swirl of events. In RTC, critical events in the story often take place off-screen.-In GWTW, the camerawork carries us into the midst of the drama. In RTC, the camera is passive and distant, never bringing us into the passions of the characters or the heart of the action. RTC is an epic displayed in long and medium shots, lacking the sense of intimacy that GWTW achieves immediately as it sneaks up onto the porch of Tara for our first glimpse of Scarlett O’Hara.-In GWTW, the camera captures every emotion on Scarlett’s face. Montgomery Clift often hides his face or turns his back to the camera in his most emotional moments.-GWTW’s canvas is the defeat of the South, and the characters suffer according to the fortunes of the Confederacy to which their personal fortunes are inextricably bound. In RTC, the characters' troubles have no implications beyond their private domestic tragedy. Thus the story lacks the wider resonance that has made GWTW a rallying cry for lovers of the Old South.-GWTW produces an unforgettable sense of place and time. RTC seems like it could take place almost anywhere and at any time in American history. Its basic story has more in common with A PLACE IN THE SUN, Clift and Elizabeth Taylor’s effort of six years earlier, as it concerns a sensitive young man, eager to make his way in the world, who is seduced by a dazzling beauty to unhappy results for all concerned.-Pacing is one of GWTW’s compelling strengths. Whereas GWTW is in high gear from the sweep of the opening titles, RTC squanders the entire first hour on extraneous characters and their shenanigans before the plot AT LAST gets underway.-GWTW, for all its angst, has a lot of humor that buoys it up over its almost four hour length. RTC has none. Its humorlessness adds to its sense of interminability.-One similarity RTC does have to GWTW is that the African-Americans are the most admirable characters. None of the other cardboard figures in RTC’s large cast are particularly likeable except Eva Marie Saint, who brings a touching sympathy and humanity to her role as the spurned sweetheart. Clift was 36 when he made the film and looks every day of it, facial injury or no. He is hardly convincing in the earlier scenes as a college student. Taylor is at the height of her riveting beauty, and her intermittent scenes of madness give the picture its only vitality. Rod Taylor is enjoyable in a flashy turn as a self-serving politician. Agnes Moorehead, a commanding actress, has nothing to do as Clift’s mother and makes no impact whatsoever. Walter Abel as Clift’s sanctimonious father has dialogue that sounds like it was copied from the Lincoln Memorial. Lee Marvin as Clift’s nemesis turned comrade is merely loud and obnoxious. Nigel Patrick as a rapscallion is meant to be picaresque and appealing but is in fact an affliction to the viewer’s eyes and ears.RAINTREE COUNTY is actually the opposite of GONE WITH THE WIND. GWTW was made under conditions of near-chaos by people who in many instances didn’t know what they were supposed to be doing, but nevertheless produced a masterpiece. RTC was made by expert filmmakers who appeared to be in complete control (perhaps too much so, given the soporific results) and produced a dud.

I always loved this movie which I saw years ago. The video was good quality and come fast. I watched it and am going to give it away as a gift to a family member.

Great movie. Elizabeth Taylor should have been "Best Actress" awarded for this performance instead of "Butterfield 8" in my opinion. Best performance ever by Lee Marvin.

The quality of this movie is terrible. There is so much static it is impossible to watch. The story line is great if the movie quality was better. Would not recommend to anyone.

Love triangle with Montgomery Cliff, Elizabeth Taylor, and Eva Marie Saint. Cliff and Saint are a couple discovering love. Taylor comes to town and moves in on Cliff and sweeps him off his feet with her beauty. But Taylor has some issues.... mental issues that could be classified as "Bi-Polar". She suffers from extreme paranoia and mood swings that left her now husband (Cliff) feeling like he was in a whirlwind, not knowing what triggers her and why she was so pathological. Eva Marie Saint takes a back seat unselfishly because she still loves Cliff but is concerned that he will become destroyed by Taylors erratic behavior. The story branches out in to Cliff delving into Taylors past and discovers why she is so paranoid. He, being a doctor, tries every attempt to help cure her and that proves to be challenging and disappointing. The movie has a"Gone with The Wind" theme; plantation, slaves, abolitionism, war, freedoms.... very good movie but bittersweet story.

Product exactly as described. The movie is full of twists and turns all wrapped around a raintree hidden in the swamps. A hint of voodoo and insanity make the story exciting.