The Sea of Grass (1947) User Reviews

The green, green grass of home

[jotix100 · 7/10 · 25 September 2005]

"The Sea of Grass" showed up on cable recently and out of curiosity, we watched it, based on the great director at the helm, and the cast involved in it. Unfortunately, Elia Kazan wasn't up to the task of directing the Conrad Richter novel about the post pioneering days. In fact, this film sort of falls flat as neither Mr. Kazan, or its stars, show any semblance they were much interested in the project.

One would imagine that to bring together Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn to play the leading roles would inspire the rest of the cast, but alas, it wasn't meant to be. The film is, by no means, a total failure, on the contrary, but there are no sparks in it to keep the viewer interested.

As someone remarked in this forum, we don't get anything from the Colonel and Lutie in the way of love, from the start. For the romance they were living on the sly, the stars don't light up for the camera to give us a hint they are in love in real life. The only one that shows any spunk is Melvin Douglas, who as Brock, can't hide his love for Lutie. The supporting cast is good, with some excellent minor performances by Phyllis Thaxter, Edgar Buchanan, Ruth Nelson, James Bell, and the rest.

Watch "The Sea of Grass" if there's nothing better playing at the same time.

Lumbering Western Melodrama Slow On The Draw But Mostly On Target

[oldblackandwhite · 7/10 · 22 March 2012]

The Sea Of Grass is slow moving and talky, but not as bad as many have portrayed it. If I told you without cluing you in on the title I had a top-production 1947 MGM picture staring Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, and Melvyn Douglas, you would be expecting a glossy white telephone movie with a love triangle and lots of high melodrama from the three stars. That's essentially what you get here, only replace the white telephones with elk antler hat racks, the swank park avenue apartments with rambling ranch houses, and the busy New York street scenes with a dusty, one-horse, Nineteenth Century New Mexico town. The Sea Of Grass is a soap opera dressed up as a Western. If that is what you are expecting, instead of a traditional shoot-'em-up, you may be much more pleased with it.

The three stars deliver their usual stellar performances and three fine, textured character studies. Old, smoothie Douglas is particularly effective as a hard-edged attorney and later judge, cattle baron Tracy's stalwart opponent and Katherine's illicit lover, father of her second child. The large supporting cast shines, led by Edgar Buchanan and Harry Carry. Over rated Robert Walker is over-the-top as usual, but fun to watch. Production values are superb with terrific luminous, old nitrate black and white cinematography typical of the era, a rich Herbert Stodhart score, good, authentic costumes, great sets with some spectacular location scenery dovetailed in for long shots of Southwest grasslands and cliffs. Principally concentrating on relationships, the story moves along at a glacial pace, but the stars and an intelligent, if messy, script hold interest. Some of the dialog is a little preachy and overblown, but it is generally believable and satisfying. There is hardly any action until the last reels, and even then it is half-hearted and ultimately just peters out. The major subplot is the traditional Western theme of cattlemen versus homesteaders, but the eventual showdown comes early and is anti-climatic. Nevertheless, the movie is engrossing and enjoyable for the acting and the production values. It is refreshing to see a movie about the Old West that concentrates on decent real people and their real life problems instead of just dwelling on brawls between lowlifes who hang out in brothels and saloons.

The Sea Of Grass is not bad, but not as good as it should have been with all it had going for it. Director Elia Kazan reportedly said he was ashamed of the picture, and he should have been. The overly slow pacing, lack of spark between Tracy and Hepburn (they were off-screen lovers!) , and other problems clearly resulted from his flabby direction. With three top stars at the peaks of their careers, an intriguing story, and a big budget, The Sea Of Grass should have been a much better picture. And it would have been if Raoul Walsh had directed it.

Did anyone notice the similarities between this and McLintock?

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 29 October 2005]

Considering that Sea of Grass is helmed by a director who's not familiar with the western milieu it's amazing that it comes off as well as it does. Elia Kazan is so much better in an urban setting like On the Waterfront. Yet Tracy and Hepburn do make this work on some levels.

John Wayne in McLintock and Spencer Tracy in Sea of Grass have the same view of the prarie. Both films take the side of the cattle rancher as opposed to the farmer. Certainly other films like Shane make the farmer the good guy. But events here show that Tracy was right about the prarie as his arch rival in politics and love, Melvyn Douglas, ruefully points out.

Tracy and Wayne also have spousal problems, although certainly Wayne handles his with a tad more humor. One thing that Maureen O'Hara does and Katharine Hepburn doesn't is share his vision of the prarie. She befriends the farmer family nearby and that is what causes the rift between her and Tracy.

McLintock is a comedy and Sea of Grass is a western soap opera. Kazan was lucky in casting folks like Edgar Buchanan and Harry Carey who knew their way around a western. Robert Walker was taking some tentative steps toward a similar role in Vengeance Valley. He only appears in the last half hour of the film as the kid with dubious paternity, but you will remember him.

Katharine Hepburn would have to wait another 28 years before doing another traditional western in Rooster Cogburn. Eula Goodnight is certainly light years from Lutie Cameron. Colonel Jim Brewton though is the same type cattle baron as G.W. McLintock.

I think the film is more for fans of soap opera than for fans of westerns. And certainly it's for fans of Spence and Kate.

Sea of soap

[robertmarburger · 13 May 2004]

Hepburn and Tracy are woefully miscast in this ennui-inducing bore that is easily the worst of their films -- well, perhaps tied with Keeper of the Flame. The sexual tension, the battle of the sexes, that was the hallmark of their best efforts -- which were the comedies, not the dramas -- is entirely absent here. Hepburn seems uncomfortable as the naive nineteenth-century marked woman who bears her "shame" stoically and alone. Tracy, whose brilliant underplaying made him one of the masters of his craft, sleepwalks through this thing -- with the exception of the scene where his friend Doc, with his dying words, makes Tracy realize what his rigidity has cost him. The great team and their talented supporting cast are cruelly wasted in this dreary soap/horse opera.

Not bad, but this could have been better

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 20 November 2006]

This movie is tough to love. Partly this is due to the setting of the film (nothing but grasslands as far as the eyes can see), but most of it is because the two main characters are so flawed and unlikable. In some ways this unlikability is good, as too often Hollywood films of the 30s and 40s present people in a "black/white" fashion and people who fall somewhere towards the middle are seldom seen. However, such "gray" characters are tough to bond with or care about, so I can understand why the film makers generally avoided this. Katherine Hepburn seems like a good character through much of the film, but midway through it, she shows a self-centeredness that make it tough to really see the tragedy in her life. Her initially living with the cruel and lawless Tracy is unforgivable, but her having an affair and then leaving her kids (one the bastard) with Tracy and not seeing them for almost 20 years make her very, very tough to like. Tracy, on the other hand, does stay to care for his kids--but in a very self-serving fashion. He is an emotionally constricted and yet over-indulgent father. As a human being, he's a lot worse--killing or nearly killing farmers because he saw the plains as his own personal property. The central message that eventually these farmers contributed to the destruction of the plains is lost--Tracy's not fighting against the farmers due to any love of nature or a desire to preserve the land. No, he's just a greedy rancher that will do ANYTHING to keep the land without fences.

Despite the problems with the characters, the film is exquisitely filmed--with some of the more beautiful camera shots I've seen in a long time. This film is worth seeing, but not one I would recommend you rush to see.

The green green grass of home.

[dbdumonteil · 7/10 · 3 November 2007]

In Michel Ciment's book " Kazan par Kazan" which is actually a very long interview (à la "Hitchcock by Truffaut"),the director recalled how painful the filming of "sea of grass " was for him:first of all,he complained for a subject like that SHOULD have been filmed on location and we can find little fault with his opinion;besides ,he had to use the Tracy /Hepburn pairing,two actors he admired but who were miscast here;"Tracy did not like horses and horses did not like Tracy either" .His wife should have been a frail young girl,which Hepburn was not :"she was clever but she was part of the high society.." The one thing Kazan seemed to appreciate was her crying;but reportedly Louis B Mayer watching the rushes complained: her tears does not flow from her eyes ,but from her nose;it looks like snot!" Among all my movies this is the one I like the least" he concludes.

With hindsight,the film retains qualities and I do not think anyway that it is worse than the disastrous "last tycoon" which IMHO,is Kazan's absolute nadir.Hindsight displays its charms.Considering the limitations Kazan was working under,it's a wonder that the scene where Hepburn and Tracy are in front of the "sea of grass" listening to the noise and to the silence (of the Buffalos -now they are gone- and of the Indians -now in the reservations-) is really poetic.We can also save the scene of the storm ,where the farmer (David) has to fight his wealthy neighbor (Goliath).The historical context ,the end of the prairie of grass and the coming of the farmers ,is interesting.

Robert Walker's character ,an unstable boy ,predates James Dean in "East of Eden" by eight years:too bad the part is underwritten.The fact that he was born of adultery is almost passed over in silence ,except for one scene or two.

It is not my Kazan's favorite or even among my favorites,but it's a film to watch if ,like me,you are interested in the director's oeuvre..

Like this? try this......

"Giant" Georges Stevens 1955

Good, adult drama about love and honour at end of an era in the American west

[jamesrupert2014 · 7/10 · 7 January 2019]

Famously disowned by director Elia Kazan, "Sea of Grass" is western-drama set against the struggles between the cattleman and the farmers as the great-plains (the titular sea of grass) was opened up to homesteading. St. Louis society girl Lutie Cameron (Katherine Hepburn) leaves the city for an isolated cattle ranch run by Col. Jim Brewton (Spencer Tracy). The story, which is quite 'adult' for the time and genre, is driven by the consequences of Lutie's brief affair with local lawyer (and advocate for the sodbusters) Brice Chamberlain (Melvyn Douglas) and by the cultural upheaval caused by the fences and crops of the thousands of homesteaders flooding into what was the 'open range'. A-list twosome Tracy and Hepburn are quite good, as is the rest of the cast, especially Edgar Buchanan (familiar to boomers as "Uncle Joe" from 'Petticoat Junction' (1963)), who plays the Jeff the cook. The cinematography, such as the scenes of the vast plains of waving grass or the massive rock outcroppings (some of which was stock footage, some of which was shot for the film) are outstanding, although some of the backgrounds for studio shots are not particularly convincing (nor are the shots of a 'mounted' Tracy bobbing up and down in front of rear-projected cowboys). Neither trite nor maudlin, 'Sea of Grass' is an entertaining historical drama featuring one of Hollywood's most famous acting couples, and I'd recommend ignoring Kazan's suggestion and watch the film when you get a chance.

Semi-western with soapy trimmings...Tracy and Hepburn working with underwhelming material

[moonspinner55 · 6/10 · 18 September 2009]

Young woman in 1880 St. Louis marries a cattle-baron who wields a powerful, occasionally unpopular and unfeeling hand. The couple settles into their New Mexico ranch-house, where she soon has a child, but the days and weeks of loneliness get to her and she shares in a flirtation with the smitten local attorney. Conrad Richter's novel becomes somewhat misbegotten vehicle for Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, though the stars do make valiant attempts to lend believability to these characters. Richter's story is full of stop-and-start melodrama, which nearly sabotages the central relationship (particularly since screenwriters Marguerite Roberts and Vincent Lawrence have given all the best dialogue exchanges to the supporting players, many of whom ultimately fare better than the leads). Melvyn Douglas works very simply with Hepburn and they have an easy rapport; Robert Walker (as the grown son Douglas fathered with Kate) brings along a nice swagger; Edgar Buchanan (as the cook) and Harry Carey (as the local doctor) have seldom been so endearing. It's difficult getting a handle on Tracy's reserved, unimpressed Colonel. Blank-faced and slack jawed, Tracy puts a great deal of thought into this complicated man but walls himself up from the audience in the process. Hepburn, in her early scenes, radiates nervous warmth and good will, but turning her into a black-wearing drudge filled with regrets was probably a mistake. Overlong, not particularly satisfying...yet the film has something. It's handsomely-made, reasonably well-paced and is certainly unusual coming from this high-powered star-duo. **1/2 from ****

Very Insightful Film

[adamshl · 8/10 · 19 September 2009]

"The Sea of Grass" is a most insightful, intelligent film. The heart of the conflict is basically that of hopeful homesteaders wanting to plant crops and raise their families on the new land--with the opposing side foretelling of the ruin of the land that was essentially "meant" for cattle grazing, not crop planting.

It's a potent conflict, with both sides falling short on some important issues, and both sides eventually learning from one another. What cattle baron Spencer Tracey predicted would happen, comes to pass. Yet, the new land is very much going to be farmed by new pioneers. It's a fact of evolution, and nothing can stop it. Only conservation measures weren't adhered to, and farming preceded, at Judge Melvyn Douglas' assistance, without the necessary safeguards put into place.

The script deftly weaves into this situation a touching human element, by way of Tracy's marriage to Katherine Hepburn. They come to symbolize the ideological conflict and the great toll it takes on their marriage and lives.

Long considered an average to below average film in many quarters, it has increased in value over the years. The Dish Network rated it 3 1/2 out of 4 stars, and many viewers are finding enhanced value in it. Beautifully acted, directed, photographed and mounted, "The Sea of Grass" is finally coming into its own. True at 121 minutes, it could have been trimmed a bit, yet it is a film of which its director need not have held in low esteem.

The rest of the cast--including Robert Walker and Phyllis Thaxter--all do commendable jobs. It's a notable piece of work that's growing in stature every year.

Metro Goldwyn Mayer drama set in the Great Plains with the extraordinary couple Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 3 February 2022]

In this rather talky piece set on America's frontier , a St. Louis woman (Katharine Hepburn) marries a New Mexico cattle baron , Col. James B. 'Jim' Brewton (Spencer Tracy) who is seen as a tyrant by the townsfolks . This western starts with St. Louis resident Lutie Cameron (Katharine Hepburn) marrying New Mexico cattleman after a brief courtship . When she arrives in "Salt Fork" she meets her recent husband and she learns that results to be an ambitious magnate owner who exects force to keep homesteaders off the government owned land he uses for grazing his cattle , the so-called Sea of Grass . Then Lutie, rebelling against the tyranny of his hubby . As she finds herself torn between her children (once grown-ups : Robert Walker , Phyllis Thaxter) and husband. Spencer Tracy Cattle baron . . ruthless, rugged! Katharine Hepburn. Fiery . . . Fascinating gal from St. Louis! Robert Walker. Gun-shooting and gambling fool! Melvyn Douglas. He knew women! Soft words, Soft looks! .It takes only one indiscretion to fill a woman's life with adventure, danger and heartache! . Big As Its Stars!

This "MGM" stirring drama Western with plenty of lyric images deals with victory of civilization and defeat of feudal spirit represented by a proud land baron who is deemed by the locals to be a tyrant .However , being more a soap opera drama than a typycal Hollywood Western . It contains some impressive and spectacular scenes on the raid with lots of riders towards homesteaders wagon train and cavalry arrival , though using some rear-screen projections and vast stock of process footage , especially when Spencer Tracy is riding on horseback .The picture is full of largest-of-life characters with awesome interpretations from the nice cast . Pandro S Berman's lusty effort that bears a certain resemblence to epic Western : King Vidor's Duel in the Sun (1946) a classic film of the 40s and over-budgeted movie in almost 5 million . The Sea of Grass (1947) starred by the great Katharine Hepburn-Spencer Tracy team has the performance acting honours whisked from under its nose in this enjoyable drama and the guilty is the early deceased actor Robert Walker . Sensational main cast as Spencer Tracy playing the stubborn cattleman at his best , and Katharine Hepburn as the obstinate wife who has difficulty reconciling her husband's beliefs and passions with her own . All of whom backed by magnificent secondary cast , such as : Melvyn Douglas as the suitor who falls for Lutie/Hepburn , Robert Walker as rebellious and violent son , Phyllis Thaxter as the good daughter , Harry Carey is effective as a friendly doctor , Robert Amstrong of King Kong , Morris Ankrum as a honest solicitor , Edgar Buchanan , James Bell , Ruth Nelson , Robert Barrat , Russell Hicks , Trevor Bardette , among others .

It displays a moving and emotive musical score by composer Herbert Stothart . As well as atmospheric and adequate cinematography in black and white by Harry Stradling Sr , shot on location in the Great Plains. Elia Kazan directs with his customary force , though overtalking and packing some flaws and shortcomings , getting big success at box office . In fact , this was the most profitable of all the Spencer Tracy-Katharine Hepburn films . The stunning director Elia Kazan made notorious and successful films . As ¨Pinky¨ (1949) , was one of the first films in mainstream Hollywood to address racial prejudice against black people. ¨A streetcar named Desire¨ (1951), an adaptation of the stage play which he had also directed , received 12 Oscar nominations, winning four, and was Marlon Brando's breakthrough role. In 1954, he directed his biggest hit : ¨On the waterfront¨ (1954), a film about union corruption on the New York harbor waterfront. In 1955, he directed ¨John Steinbeck's East of Eden¨ (1955) , which introduced James Dean to movie audiences.

The Sea of Grass (1947) rating : 6/10 . Acceptable and passable but inferior than other Elia Kazan films.

Why do women insist on loving men for what they want them to be instead of what they are?

[hitchcockthelegend · 4/10 · 16 June 2019]

The Sea of Grass is directed by Elia Kazan and written by Conrad Richter, Marguerite Roberts and Vincent Lawrence. It stars Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Walker, Melvyn Douglas, Phyllis Thaxter, Edgar Buchanan and Harry Carey. Music is by Herbert Stothart and cinematography by Harry Stradling.

We are on the America's frontier and St. Louis woman Lutie Cameron (Hepburn) marries New Mexico cattleman Col. James B. 'Jim' Brewton (Tracy). Brewton is seen as a tyrant by the locals and Lutie quickly comes to realise that nothing will stop her husband from driving his plans forward.

For serious Western fans it straight off looks odd seeing the pairing of Tracy and Hepburn in this setting of farmer/rancher feuding, and the pic never quite breaks away from the initial reaction of things being off kilter. In spite of the undoubted quality of the lead actors, this just becomes a raging soap opera. It's never once convincing, the studio bound theatrics becoming an eyesore, and as the run time inexplicably crawls drearily to two hours in length, there's not even any action to perk up proceedings.

This was a rare blip in the filmic career of Kazan, who gives us all a warning when we find that he disowned the film, even saying he was ashamed of it. That's pretty damning evidence that serves notice on why this should be avoided by anyone other than Kazan, Hepburn and Tracy completists. One tends to think that the plot trajectory of Lutie embarrassed him, for without doubt it's offensive to womanhood, the finale only confirming this in a whirl of smugness not becoming the stars and director. It's a nicely enough produced production, with Stradling's smooth photography sparkling due to HD screenings via TCM, but as the script struggles to enact vibrancy, so shall you struggle to stay awake. 4/10

Underrated and misunderstood

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 8/10 · 20 April 2011]

I'm updating my review of this film after reading the new biography of Spencer Tracy, and after spending several days out in the High Plains of eastern Colorado, western Nebraska, and western South Dakota.

I'm surprised at the general negativity of most reviews here toward this film. I have a great deal of respect for this film, but I should say up front that I have long been an admirer of Spencer Tracy (second only to Cary Grant in my eyes). I think perhaps this film is too serious to be a "pop" choice. It really is one of the most serious movies I've ever seen. There is no frivolity in it, no humor, just straight dramatic acting. I could almost say that it's not a very "Hollywood" movie.

The film begins with an intriguing musical score and settles down in a western-prairie town that seems more authentic than most. In some ways this appears to be just another cattleman - versus - farmer story, but I think it is much more than that. In the scene where Tracy talks about what the High Plains means to him...what he hears in it...well, it's a fine soliloquy. The movie is also the story of an Eastern woman - versus - the West. A story about two people who cannot adjust their views about life in order to come to an understanding.

Another reviewer mentioned the lack of passion between Tracy and Hepburn on celluloid. I think that what you see between the two stars here, as well as in other films, is a love based upon deep respect, rather than sex. I'm not sure that it was an issue of age -- he was only 7 years older than she. But he had lived a rough life with his drinking, and seemed much older than she. So while there may not be passion between them on screen, there was a wonderful chemistry that is just as apparent here as in most of their joint efforts. Since beginning the biography, I have been watching all of the Tracy films generally available (and a few you can only find in places such as You Tube), and it's interesting to note that this is the film where Tracy is seemingly suddenly middle-aged and more distinguished looking in his appearance...and that's perfect for this role. As important is that by the mid-40s, he had mastered the ability to be subtle and show strength in that subtlety, and to reserve his powerful outbursts for those points in a film where they are really needed and appropriate.

Melvyn Douglas is excellent here, although it's difficult to like his character much. Self-righteous in the beginning and out to get another man's wife. He mellows later in the film when he finds he has lost. In my view, one of his more impressive roles.

One particularly strong scene is where the cattle stampede the farmer's land during a blizzard. Very profound, even though the scene does not directly involve any of the major players.

There are a number of great character actors in this film. It's always a treat to see Harry Carey, and he was just wonderful in this film. And although I'm not always a fan, in this film I rather enjoyed the fine performance of a rather restrained Edgar Buchannan.

A couple of minor criticisms. First, note how freely the characters walk out in the sea of grass. When I was out there, people and signs constantly warned me about rattlesnakes! And the sod house...I was in a real sod house this past summer...not nearly as "nice" as the one portrayed in the film. But I will say that the photography MGM did on-site was top notch in terms of portraying the sea of grass. However, actual on-location scenes with Tracy and Hepburn were apparently filmed in Arizona and New Mexico, though I'm guessing supposed location is eastern Colorado and Nebraska, since Tracy speaks of Hepburn having her baby in Denver.

I think this is an excellent, wholly serious film which is well worth a second look. Highly recommended. And worth putting on your DVD shelf if you like serious movies.

Lesser pairing of the famed duo

[jjnxn-1 · 7/10 · 30 April 2013]

Minor entry in the Hepburn/Tracy canon is justifiably obscure. The script is long winded but not terribly deep. As far as the performances Spencer Tracy is right at home as the rigid man whose pride works to his detriment but Kate seems uncomfortable in her role and it doesn't really fit her, a wounded dignity is needed and her tough resilience is at odds with that, Margaret Sullavan would have been much better suited to the part. The basic structure of the film works against what was always so special about the pair and that's their interaction, for great swatches of this they are apart. Robert Walker shows up late in the proceeding and injects some much needed life in the picture but is gone too soon. One good piece of casting is Phyllis Thaxter as the pair's grown daughter, she bears a striking resemblance to both and really does seem as if she could be their child. The best performance in the whole show is turned in by the reliable Edgar Buchanan as the family standby, his involvement with the others is one of the few parts that doesn't feel artificial. The usually reliable Melvyn Douglas is defeated by a stick figure character. The pace of the film is too slow, this was an early film for Kazan and he still had some learning to do, and by the end it becomes a trial too sit though. Not awful but a miss.

What a waste of talent!

[aramusic · 4/10 · 25 September 2005]

It is unfortunate that Spencer Tracey was cast in the pivotal role of the Colonel, as he sleepwalks thru the entire picture! The emotional fireworks come from the relationship between Katharine Hepburn and Melvyn Douglas, as the illicit lovers. As for Robert Walker in the role of the illegitimate son(and that was quite a stretch in the 1940's), he walks away with the picture! What a pity that Spencer Tracy was cast-it would have been a much better picture without him! It is also a great pity that such a noted director as Elia Kazan was not allowed to film on location, which would have added so much to the ambiance of this picture. As it is, Kazan is able to interject great tension is some of the scenes, most notably in Robert Walker's death scene. A pity Mr. Tracy was not up to the challenge.

It's the script, silly!

[amb0120 · 27 July 2009]

Why do I get the feeling some folks know little about Spencer Tracy? For example, Kazan's alleged quote of "Tracy did not like horses and horses did not like Tracy either" (per Ciment's book). Excuse me, but how could a man who loved to play polo, which Tracy did and did a lot in his younger days and against studio wishes, not like horses? I've played polo and if you don't like horses (and they don't like you) you won't be playing the game more than once or twice. Maybe the quote was made for the more obvious reason: to justify Kazan turning out a movie that was below his abilities? If true that one of Kazan's excuses for the painful experience of directing the movie was not filming on location, I can't totally disagree, but then again a good many great films were not filmed on location, so this excuse only holds so much water. And how can one think that the movie is a "cattlemen vs. homesteaders" film? That's the setting, and it is the trigger of the conflict between the main characters, which leads to the betrayal, which is the center piece of the story, but that certainly isn't the movie. I grant you, it's not one of Tracy's best, but he does the best he can with the lame Marguerite Roberts' script. Even if this movie had been shot on location, it doesn't change the glaring fact that a bad script is still a bad script. If you believe Tracy was sleepwalking, then you have to also believe Kazan was on life support and Roberts was dead, from the neck up, while scripting this one. If Tracy's at fault for anything, it's for trying to save the film, which is more than it deserved.

old fashion western melodrama

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 22 August 2021]

It's St. Louis 1880. Lutie Cameron (Katharine Hepburn) is getting married to cattle rancher Col. Jim Brewton (Spencer Tracy) after a short courtship but he can't make it at the last minute. She has to go to New Mexico. Brice Chamberlain (Melvyn Douglas) warns her that she would be unhappy with the hated cattle baron. They are bitter rivals in land disputes and its use.

It's a western epic from the point of view of the wife of the ruthless cattle baron. I do question some of the things that she does although the times are not in her favor. I also question the need to see things from his side. It's an old melodrama. It's long. It's old fashion. It's a narrative born from the dust bowl of the Great Depression. The biggest issue is Jim's coldness. It's hard to root for him.

Wannabe family epic

[mollytinkers · 6/10 · 5 September 2021]

Do you remember those 1980s major network miniseries of the week? The first 90 minutes were riveting, despite commercials; and then the remaining 30 to 45 minutes ran three to six days later. This film would have been a great contender for that; instead, we're left with 85% first generation family drama and 15% second generation. Not enough to satisfy.

In general, that's where this movie's strengths and weaknesses avail themselves. Not enough strengths to bump it into a must-watch, not enough weaknesses to totally dismiss it. It's milquetoast, as they say. I wanted more screen time and storyline from Walker's and Thaxter's characters.

The leads deliver their performances formidably. I'm giving a shoutout to Ruth Nelson and Edgar Buchanan and Harry Carey, as the doctor. Mr. Douglas tries to save the day, but his role is ultimately diminished by the script.

A film about flawed human beings

[maryszd · 9/10 · 20 August 2010]

I tuned into this film on TCM expecting to see a familiar prairie epic about Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy fighting the heroic fight against the elements. What I got was a film about two flawed and vulnerable human beings who made a series of disastrously bad personal and parental decisions. Even though there was a lot of talk about Col. Brewton's (Tracy) attachment to the "grass"and being a cattleman, the story of the Brewton's failed marriage could have taken place in Baltimore. It was nice to see both Hepburn and Tracy acting in flawed ways and out of character. From the looks of it, Tracy was uncomfortable in the role. But Hepburn is the better actor here and her predicament is more poignant. It's an odd and interesting film that's well worth seeing.

Soapy grass with not much splendour

[TheLittleSongbird · 5/10 · 11 January 2019]

It is very hard to not expect a lot from 'The Sea of Grass'. A talented cast, including greats Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn (deservedly one of the most legendary screen pairings) in the fifth of nine films together. An interesting subject. And also that it was directed by one of the most influential directors Elia Kazan, responsible for classics such as 'On the Waterfront', 'East of Eden' and 'A Streetcar Named Desire'.

'The Sea of Grass' turned out to be something of a disappointment. Personally don't think it is that bad, not enough to make Kazan himself disown the film and regret making it, but it doesn't do Tracy, Hepburn or Kazan justice and doesn't really allow them to play to their strengths or show what made them as popular as they were and still are. All three have done much better than this, as far as Kazan films go from personal opinion it is down there with his worst and sees him at his least involved. And it is definitely a lesser film for Tracy and Hepburn together, might actually put it below 'Keeper of the Flame', had formed the opinion of that film being their weakest but that was before re-watching 'The Sea of Grass' and noticing more flaws with it than remembered. It also sees them both in lesser roles to usual (especially Tracy).

Certainly there are good things. Cannot fault the production values, the sets and costumes are handsome and evocative but it's the quite outstanding cinematography that is particularly good in this regard. It is scored with a stirring atmosphere too.

Although they come too far and between, there are moments of tension and pathos, especially in a tragic scene later on involving Robert Walker. The supporting cast are very good, with Edgar Buchanan running away with the film. Harry Carey comes close, while there is sturdy support from Phyllis Thaxter, Robert Walker and Melvyn Douglas (whose chemistry with Hepburn is much stronger than hers with Tracy).

Mainly because the chemistry between Hepburn and Tracy isn't really there, seemingly curiously detatched. Neither of them are at the top of their game either, Hepburn is much better and is still quite good (she's heartfelt and spirited) but Tracy is out of his depth and looks like he wants to be somewhere else. Kazan's direction is uncharacteristically undistinguished and like he was not interested in the material.

Not that one can completely blame him there because the script is far too heavy in the soapy melodrama and rambles badly. Meaning that the story becomes long-winded and fails to sustain interest, due to the pace becoming very sluggish (a problem for a film that also felt overlong) and some of it is lacking in plausbility. Am another person to dislike the ending, very contrived and considering what was going on in the rest of the film what happens and the decision that is made just doesn't ring true at all and doesn't make sense.

Overall, far from a must avoid but to see what is appealing and influential about Kazan, Tracy, Hepburn and Tracy and Hepburn's chemistry it's best looking elsewhere because none are really done justice here. 5/10 for mainly the production values and the supporting cast. Bethany Cox

Relationships, Greed and Power

[ijfggry · 9/10 · 8 September 2022]

The sea of grass is the only place Col. Brewton can find solace from his misdeeds.

The relationship between Lutie and Jim Brewton is Lutie trying to have loving relationship, Jim is too interested his business and keeping the grass land to himself.

We are not much different in our relationships with others. People commit violence still, greed and seek power however they can get it, without remorse or empathy. We see that every day.

The whining reviews show maybe some seeing themselves or not understanding the inhumanity of the human being.

If we look deep enough and study people we can see why a lot of things happen between couples. Ludie wanted her husband to love her more, show it more. When spouses are alone for long periods it becomes a fight to keep their life together. Without much of a support system people flounder.

Maybe sometime we shall learn to get along better, it's a long row to hoe. Even the most wealthy lose out in just having a loving, caring relationship that is real.

Think about your children, do you see them changing before your eyes? Would you like your child to be like Brock? Watch them, love them, teach them. Take care you do not forsake your family and let them wallow in misery because they don't understand how to socialize or treat others.

The Sea of Gloss

[wes-connors · 5/10 · 8 June 2012]

In 1880 St. Louis, well-dressed socialite Katharine Hepburn (as Lutie Cameron) prepares for her fancy wedding to well-heeled rancher Spencer Tracy (as James "Jim" Brewton), but he is delayed due to business concerns. Traveling to New Mexico, Ms. Hepburn is hitched to Mr. Tracy after meeting his mutually attractive rival Melvyn Douglas (as Brice Chamberlain). This "love triangle" eventually produces wild Robert Walker (as Brock). Well-respected director Elia Kazan practically disowned this film; it's easy to see why, with Tracy and Hepburn appearing out of place in a decades-spanning, overblown pseudo-western soap opera epic. The reported effort to make Tracy appear sober and Hepburn appear glamorous was successful, at least. A thick layer of MGM production gloss doesn't enhance the story as much as it does the watching.

***** The Sea of Grass (2/26/47) Elia Kazan ~ Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Robert Walker, Melvyn Douglas

Wonderful Movie

[AliceAnneAllen · 10/10 · 25 October 2004]

I had never watched or heard of this wonderful movie, so was not expecting such a great treat. Worth every minute to watch it. K. Hepburn is so pretty in it, and you want to know her as the colonel's wife.. Spencer Tracy's sense of humor shines through and is just a great movie. I wanted to see more when she came home again. Makes you want to move to New Mexico and be a cowgirl.... The only thing I didn't care for was the actor playing Brock when he grew up, felt they should have picked someone more handsome and built a little better. Really liked the old guy that played the cook. Just a great all around movie Wish they would make a remake of it.

Not good, but watchable.

[bombersflyup · 3/10 · 5 October 2019]

The Sea of Grass isn't much better than a daytime soap drama for the most part, though it does pick up a bit when the children come of age.

Hepburn doesn't charm or command the screen here like in most of her films and Tracy's stone-faced throughout the film. Though he does have one good line, something like "you can't love me, if you're against me or want me to lose." In the end once Brock dies, they get back together because the fact of him is what had come between them... Not a great finish, not even dialogue exchanged between the two, though the adult children good.

A sea of feelings.

[homeone777 · 16 April 2003]

The "Sea of Grass" was bigger than all of the players of the story and as fragile as the love that the Colonel (Tracey) had for Lutie (Hepburn) and she for him. The Colonel shared with Lutie a vision of the plains has they had been but could not see what could be as he did with his love for her. Lutie, saw the future but could not honor the past. They lost each other as the grass was lost when it wasn't cared for. But as with the plains, the grass could be brought back with care, understanding, and sacrifice. But perhaps most of all with time. Somewhere between the extremes is a middle point but each must leave the extreme to reach the middle. The Colonel and Lutie found the middle point but after many years of standing at the extremes. Each of us can find ourselves in what they had, lost, and regained.

There is No Splendor in this Sea of Grass ***1/2

[edwagreen · 9/10 · 14 April 2011]

In my opinion, this was probably the best of the long list of Spencer Tracy-Katharine Hepburn films.

The two really get the opportunity and to their credit deliver fine performances in this 1947 film dealing with the settling of land by Homesteaders and the resulting conflict between them and the landowners and the eventual dissolution of a marriage between Hepburn and Tracy.

The film also gave us matinée idol's Melvyn Douglas the chance to perform in more of a supporting role and he also delivered as the judge who loved Hepburn and their love produced a tragic end.

When Tracy realizes that he can no longer fight the "encroachment" of settlers on the land, the story takes on a different fold with his marriage to Hepburn breaking up. This is also a story of male dominance challenged by a strong-willed Hepburn.

Harry Carey is terrific in the role of the sympathetic doctor, friendly to both. In fact, Carey was even better here than in his supporting Oscar nominated performance 8 years before in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." There is also ample support given by Robert Walker and Phyllis Thaxter, as the Hepburn-Tracy adult children in the film.

The film also takes on the meaning and results of town gossip and scandal and how it ultimately leads to tragic consequences.

Another great job by director Elia Kazan.