Synopsis: Pearl Chavez, (Jennifer Jones), the half-breed daughter of Scott Chavez, (an American), and his Native American wife, (Tilly Losch), is left orphaned when her father shoots her mother and her mother's lover after they blatantly flaunt their affair in public. As Pearl's father is about to be hanged for these murders, he tells Pearl that he has made arrangements for her to live with his second cousin, Laura Belle McCanles, (Lillian Gish), and hopefully she will be given all the chances to improve her lot in life that she deserves. Laura Belle and Scott were once in love, but Laura Belle chose to marry a rich Texan, Senator Jackson McCanles, (Lionel Barrymore), in stead, and said Senator is not too happy to have Pearl in his house because she is a half-breed and the daughter of his wife's great love. The Senator and Laura Belle have two sons, Jesse, (Joseph Cotton), and Lewton, (Gregory Peck). Jesse is a lawyer and is very thoughtful while Lewton is a violent, spoiled man-boy. Pearl immediately falls for Jesse, but Lewton wants her for his own. Pearl struggles with her emotional attraction to Jesse and her physical attraction to Lewton. Neither one will marry her, (for different reasons), and her confusion and actions become more erratic as her love/lust and inevitable disappointment grows. Pearl tries to break free from her situation, but is never able to. This all leads to a tragic shootout where death seems to be the only salvation.
Recommendations: Legendary director, King Vidor, creates an epic western more in line with Gone With The Wind than Stagecoach. He masterfully directs and frames each shot in beautiful Technicolor. The acting is very good from the usual suspects, Gregory Peck, Lionel Barrymore, Herbert Marshall, Joseph Cotton, Walter Huston, (as the Preacher/Sinkiller), Charles Bickford, (as Sam Pierce the man who may be Pearl's last chance at happiness), Harry Carey, (as Lem Smoot, an old friend of the Senator's), and Butterfly McQueen, (as Vashti the maid). With all that talent around I still must state that it is Jennifer Jones and Lillian Gish that make this epic worth watching. Jennifer Jones does a brilliant job with one of the most complex characters I have ever seen put to film and Lillian Gish, especially in her final seen with Lionel Barrymore, is so exceptional that words escape me. I can not imagine these two performances ever being replicated or improved upon. A visually stunning film with two great performances to sweeten the entire experience. Well worth a look.
Recommendations: Legendary director, King Vidor, creates an epic western more in line with Gone With The Wind than Stagecoach. He masterfully directs and frames each shot in beautiful Technicolor. The acting is very good from the usual suspects, Gregory Peck, Lionel Barrymore, Herbert Marshall, Joseph Cotton, Walter Huston, (as the Preacher/Sinkiller), Charles Bickford, (as Sam Pierce the man who may be Pearl's last chance at happiness), Harry Carey, (as Lem Smoot, an old friend of the Senator's), and Butterfly McQueen, (as Vashti the maid). With all that talent around I still must state that it is Jennifer Jones and Lillian Gish that make this epic worth watching. Jennifer Jones does a brilliant job with one of the most complex characters I have ever seen put to film and Lillian Gish, especially in her final seen with Lionel Barrymore, is so exceptional that words escape me. I can not imagine these two performances ever being replicated or improved upon. A visually stunning film with two great performances to sweeten the entire experience. Well worth a look.