Baby the Rain Must Fall (1965) User Reviews (58)

Let it pour.

[ptb-8 · 7/10 · 21 March 2004]

I find this film quite fascinating because of its setting and style.

The credits on the road and the black and white photography are so striking and evocative of its time that if one in the year 2005 wants to get a real sense of the quiet 'sixties rural/suburban time, this film will do it for you. I find it a companion piece to BUS RILEY'S BACK IN TOWN and even THE STRIPPER all made around the same time, as if a set of films of a similar tone and look all made in the same US town. Where I lived in Australia in 1965 was exactly like all these films but this this one gives me the childhood recollection of hearing the sad adult conversations of neighbors. These 3 films deserve better awareness of lonely and changing 60s life before Vietnam horror and psychedelia took over and perhaps offer the best sense of time travel one could wish for. If you also want a bitter chaser with a wicked laugh, add KISS ME STUPID to the mix.

Hello, Columbus

[ferbs54 · 7/10 · 21 June 2011]

In 1962, producer Alan J. Pakula, director Robert Mulligan, composer Elmer Bernstein and screenwriter Horton Foote combined their considerable talents to create a film that has been a favorite of generations ever since: "To Kill a Mockingbird." Three years later, this quartet joined forces again to make another picture set in the Deep South, this one based on Foote's play "The Traveling Lady," and the result was 1965's "Baby the Rain Must Fall" (the lack of a comma after "Baby" is annoying). In this one, Lee Remick plays a pretty mother named Georgette Thomas, who travels with her young, shy, cute and fairly odd little girl, Margaret Rose, by bus from Tyler, TX to Columbus, TX, to meet her recently paroled ex-con husband, Henry (played by Steve McQueen, perennially cool even when his character, as here, is a neurotic mess). Henry's one ambition, now that he's on the outside, is to play in a rocking "string band" (called Henry Thomas and his Rockabillies!), write songs and become a big star, but the ancient old crone (one Miss Kate) who had adopted him as a boy, and who still dominates him psychologically by dint of long-ago beatings, insists that he give up his dreams, go to night school and just learn a trade. The advent of Henry's wife and daughter, as it turns out, does little to help him resolve this conflict....

"Baby the Rain Must Fall" is a sweet, quiet, small, gentle and slow-moving film; more a slice-of-life character study of four lonely people: the three members of the Thomas clan AND Slim, a good-hearted widower deputy (played by Don Murray) who helps the family out. McQueen is just fine in the lead (he had just appeared two years earlier in another film directed by Mulligan, "Love With the Proper Stranger"), although his singing numbers have been terribly dubbed; still, these performances serve to show quite clearly that Henry DOES have talent and promise. Remick, whose motel scene in 1962's "Days of Wine and Roses" might be the saddest that this viewer has ever witnessed, is excellent, as usual, although the sad scenes in this film are nowhere near as devastating as the one I just referred to in "Days." Kudos also to little Kimberly Block, who gives a memorable performance in this, her only screen role; she is touching and adorable. "Baby" has been well shot in B&W by renowned cinematographer Ernest Laszlo, and although not a heckuva lot transpires during the film, it remains a pleasing glimpse at these four unhappy people. The picture concludes most strangely, however, and for the life of me, I cannot quite figure out what was going through Henry's mind when he despoiled Miss Kate's grave site toward the film's end. Was he trying to dig up her body or merely desecrate her resting place due to anger, frustration and resentment? Or maybe he misses her, now that she is gone? It's really impossible to say; a possible failure of the picture. And is Slim going off with Georgette and Margaret Rose in the last scene to start their own family, or is he merely giving the two gals a ride "to the Valley"? Another imponderable. Despite these ambiguities, however, "Baby the Rain Must Fall" is certainly a worthwhile film. Just don't expect speed....

BABY THE RAIN MUST FALL (Robert Mulligan, 1965) **1/2

[Bunuel1976 · 6/10 · 4 January 2009]

This is the kind of film which seems to struggle to find an audience outside of its immediate setting – in its case, the American Deep South. It's basically a familial drama where husband and wife are driven apart by the former's troubled persona – especially due to his own inclination to violence and the enigmatic relationship with his eminent but dying guardian. Director Mulligan had created an all-time classic with TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962): this updates the atmosphere (including a failed attempt to replicate the Gothic touch associated with Robert Duvall's Boo Radley character in that film) but still throws in a little girl at the core of the story. Steven McQueen goes through the whole 'Rebel Without A Cause' act to little lasting effect – the performance is even more hurt by the fact that, playing a wannabe rockabilly singer, he's forced to mimic to a number of tunes (including the title number). Similarly, co-stars Lee Remick and Don Murray have typical roles, and John Wayne regular Paul Fix also has a nice bit as a benign Judge. The film notches up some tolerable intensity with scenes where McQueen is beaten up, feverishly tries to dig up the old lady (for whatever purpose) and finally escapes custody – if only for a short while; otherwise, the greatest points of interest here are Ernest Laszlo's moody cinematography and Elmer Bernstein's eclectic score.

Underrated Horton Foote Beauty

[Annalaura · 9 November 2001]

I just saw this hauntingly beautiful film last night on AMC. It's subtle beauty requires viewers' attention and participation. Do not watch it if you're in the mood for an easy escape film. To appreciate it you must be sensitive to facial expression and non-verbal signal. It also helps to understand a little about the culture of the South.

It works on two levels, at least:

First, it tells the story of a wife's dawning understanding of the hopelessness of her marriage and her resolve to have a good life anyway.

Second, it shows the tragedy of severe child abuse in great depth and reveals the community's culpability. I've never seen a more powerful visual metaphor than Henry's escape attempt, where camera facing him head-on, he runs furiously, climbing and clinging and failing to make it onto the back of a speeding truck.

The film juxtaposes Henry's relationship to his adopted mother to the relationship of his wife to their daughter. This loving, beautiful relationship is the pivot around which the story revolves. Henry, dull, unintelligent, abused Henry is lost, but in one area he had supreme luck (or supreme judgment). His child has what he never had, and will grow up beautifully. He could not have chosen a better mother for his daughter.

The screenplay, acting and direction are all superb.

A Flawed Film

[bcrd500 · 7/10 · 14 March 2015]

The movie had all of the components to be a great film: A list actors with McQueen, Remick, and Murray, legendary director and producer, a hit song, and a good screenplay. There were many problems but the glaring one was McQueen producing the worst lip-synching ever seen in a movie. Since McQueen could not sing and apparently had no feel for music it was decided to use Billy Strange to sing the songs and his voice is not a close match to McQueen's speaking voice.

More puzzling is why the producers chose to use Strange's version of the title song over Glenn Yarbrough, who had a major hit with the title song, which plays over the credits of the movie.

Since the major story line of the movie centered around the singing career of McQueen's character, the producers should have sought out an actor who could sing. The ironic back story of the film is Elvis Presley wanted to play Henry Thomas (McQueen) but he was never a consideration of the film's producers.

However, Presley could have handled the music (the title song was in Presley's wheelhouse) and his best movie performances were playing characters like Henry Thomas. Despite McQueen's stature at that time, he was miscast in the film.

Remick and Murray are the high points of the movie while a lot of McQueen's scenes were badly done. On top of the obvious lip-synching, the bar band scenes look awkward and unconvincing. Another problem area is the unrealistic fight scenes.

A bright spot of the movie is capturing the bareness and weariness of rural Texas. Filming on location was a smart decision because it helped sell the futile feeling that Thomas felt while trying to escape his hopeless situation.

It is an interesting film despite its flaws and has more strong points than weak points.

A symbol that works.

[cmvoger · 7/10 · 22 February 2008]

The desperately hopeful wife (Lee Remick) wants to help establish a home by planting a tree on their lawn. She hooks the husband (Steve McQueen) into the project to help with their bonding, but he really isn't into gestures like that. They dig the hole; then, while she is distracted by a conversation, he drops in the sapling, STILL ROOTED IN THE #10 CAN IN WHICH SHE BROUGHT IT HOME, into the ground and covers it up, getting the chore over with and done.

Thie one passage tells us where the story, and their lives, are going. Nothing reverses this omen. The frantic dash after the truck at the ending is also a good working symbol of their destiny.

Ungovernable Temper

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 14 December 2010]

The team that brought you To Kill A Mockingbird has also given us Baby The Rain Must Fall another southern based drama though the protagonist is hardly as admirable as Atticus Finch. Steve McQueen and Lee Remick star in this film as a married couple trying to make a new start in life after McQueen is released on parole from prison.

McQueen is a musician/singer of sorts and while I doubt he could have a career in big time country music, he doesn't have the talent to make the really big time. You won't see McQueen at the Grand Ole Opry, but he could make a respectable living doing the honky-tonks if it weren't for an ungovernable temper. In the few instances we see it displayed we never do see exactly what sets him off, the film might have been better if we had, we might understand McQueen more.

But the temper is a given and he's on parole. A wife and a daughter who the people of his Texas home town have never met and don't know the existence of, have come to join him. Lee Remick is the patient and loving wife, but she's coming slowly to the realization that this just isn't going to work.

Don Murray plays the local sheriff and a childhood friend who does what he can for McQueen. It's interesting to speculate whether Remick and Murray will get together afterward. Paul Fix has the same kind of part he did in To Kill A Mockingbird as a kindly judge.

If James Dean had lived this would have been a perfect role for him. But McQueen who had a background of foster care, who was a product of the social welfare system raising him, had a lot to draw on for his performance.

Steve McQueen did his own vocals though country singer Glenn Yarborough had a hit from the title song. Better that way then to have a real singer doing it lest the viewer think this guy has the talent to make it big.

Although this is not as good as To Kill A Mockingbird, writer Horton Foote and director Robert Mulligan did a bang up job in Baby The Rain Must Fall.

Strong

[BandSAboutMovies · 6/10 · 19 January 2022]

While the first few films on the Mill Creek Through the Decades: 1960s Collection were light comedy, this one made me sit up and pay attention to its rough drama.

Based on the 1954 play The Traveling Lady, which was also written by this movie's director and writer Horton Foote (To Kill a Mockingbird and Tender Mercies).

Georgette Thomas (Lee Remick) has brought her six-year-old daughter Margaret Rose to meet her husband Henry Thomas (Steve McQueen). He's never met her and may not even have known that she exists, as all he cares about is being a singer. He's spent. The last few years in jail after stabbing a man and has been working for Kate Dawson, the woman who raised him - and beat him repeatedly - after his parents died. Her abuse has broken him, as the night after her death, he steals her silver, wrecks his car into the cemetery gates and howls into the night as he stabs her grave, all while his wife watches from the shadows.

Obviously, Henry is no father. But it takes Georgette the entire film to realize that she has to get her daughter away from him if they ever want to live a peaceful life.

Shot on location in Columbus, Texas, this is a dusty and dark exploration of love not being enough.

Exquisite performances

[jjnxn-1 · 8/10 · 12 May 2013]

Beautiful performances from Steve McQueen and especially Lee Remick highlight this rather sad rambling film of the type Hollywood doesn't make anymore. A small personal drama that explores the lives of regular people just struggling to make a place for themselves in the world. Nothing blows up, it's all about emotions here. Horton Foote's screenplay, based on his play, shows his customary understanding of how people react and interact with each other while Ernest Laszlo stark black and white cinematography evokes the dusty small town Texas setting in a way color never could. Something that you'd find either on the indie circuit or maybe on cable today certainly not in major markets as this was and hardly with stars of this magnitude.

Portrait of a loser...and the woman who inexplicably loves him.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 29 March 2016]

"Baby the Rain Must Fall" is a film about a super-dysfunctional family. The husband is a screw-up who seems to be determined to destroy his life. Although married to a pretty and amazingly long- suffering wife who has put up with him, he doesn't seem to appreciate her in the least. And, time and time again throughout this film he knows what choices to make and yet he chooses the wrong path. Although on parole and recently out of prison, he just seems determined to be sent back...all the while trying to make it big in a tiny town by singing with his rockabilly band.

If you are looking for a fun film, this sure ain't it!! But, if you are looking for good acting and an interesting portrait of a jerk and his young family, it's worth seeing. Well made...just not exactly a pleasant viewing experience.

By the way, if you do see it, in the opening portion where they show Steve McQueen singing the title song, look for a young Glen Campbell on the left. Also, it's pretty obvious by the voice that it ain't McQueen singing...and they should have at least chosen a singer whose voice was closer to his.

Also, the summary on IMDb says that the child is an infant. Nope. She appears to be about 4 years-old...not an infant at all.

Not one of Mr McQueen's greatest films.

[plan99 · 4/10 · 10 February 2023]

Nowhere near as good as expected with such, normally, good actors in the lead male and female roles. Steve was not good in this and he was lucky that this film did not end his acting career. He may have been doing some kind of "method acting" and if he was it went badly wrong. The only natural looking acting in this film was performed by the young girl character who made everyone else look very wooden and stilted, she was excellent. It goes to prove that even the best of actors can turn in a very poor performance. Only worth watching for those who want to see Steve at his very worse, a bit of a let down.

Man cannot escape his childhood of being abused

[pattykathman · 10/10 · 6 December 2014]

What horrified me about this story was that the judge, the neighbors and most of the town knew this man as a little boy was being beaten on a regular basis by the woman the judge gave him to. The judge even laments years later after Henry's many problems and imprisonment that he wishes he had not given the boy to this woman, who apparently had power because of money, but no money when she dies in the film. At any point he could have removed the boy and found him a better home. Was this woman above the law? He says he thought it was better than an orphanage when Henry as a small child ends up at the police station crying, apparently abandoned by his parents or parent. Now Henry cannot keep from acting out his years and years of suffering even though out of jail, working, singing again in band and with his wife again and his child he never knew till now. He does not know why he is like that and what is wrong with him. This is about more than being just a bad person who cannot go straight. At one point someone says they asked this woman why she beat Henry so much and her answer it was good for him, he needed it. So they do nothing to help him. No one helped him as a child and now as a adult they do not help him when they all know he was beaten all of the time and still fears this woman years later even though she is elderly. Excellent acting and a haunting, tragic story.

Remick magnificent, McQueen not so much

[jam-bone · 6/10 · 15 December 2010]

*****warning spoilers***** Being a Remick fan this was on my list to watch, don't expect something like "Experiment in Terror" (probably the best Remick in my opinion) in terms of movie-making.

The plot is not very well written and seems to be aiming nowhere. McQueen as an ex-con is somewhat ridiculous, he has preposterous fits of rage alternating with songs, yes songs, I defy anyone to think that the voice is really coming from him, the sliced in overdubs with a voice totally different than his are just ridiculous and from the first occurrence on it's impossible to take his character seriously.

The character development of McQueen is quasi absent. His anger at the old women from the boarding house is left mostly unexplained, the scene where he stabs at her graves after she is buried is also ridiculous.

There is a great beauty in Remick's sadness however, and we can relate to her being lost, she brings forth anxiety but it's hard to buy she was so in love with McQueen for most of the film, she then just moves on to yet another town perhaps realizing that he was a big mistake in her life. On that aspect I guess the film is successful. Her interactions with her daughter are at times poignant, especially when she stands with her in the winds and their hair get mixed together, (in the scene where McQueen tries to say goodbye before he his sent off to jail again) the bond of mother daughter strongest even in a dismal situation and poverty.

The photography is great, especially for the outdoors sequences where we do feel "the south" as is the editing, a few awkward post grainy zooms on McQueen McQueen (who is a competent actor) is wasted...

See it if you enjoy Remick, she delivers.

2 Stars Make Up For Depressing Tale

[ccthemovieman-1 · 5/10 · 10 November 2005]

This is a little slow by today's standards, and not really much of story. It's also a sad, haunting kind of movie. What I liked was the cast, which featured two of my all-time favorite actors: Steve McQueen and Lee Remick.

I got rid of the tape and frankly, I'm sorry I did because I'd to give this film another chance. Remick plays an old-fashioned sweet woman that is rare to see on screen these days. It was not a glamorous role, but I don't believe she's ever looked prettier. Her unspoiled daughter in this film was a nice kid, too.

If this film just wasn't so darn depressing at times, I would have kept it. Maybe three viewings was enough. Most people, especially younger people of today, wouldn't make it all the way through one showing since it's slow and the story, frankly, isn't that memorable. Perhaps that it's a sad story makes me want to forget. Whatever!

Yet, it does have McQueen and Remick, and those two keep drawing me back.

Thoughtful, sensitive film whose strengths outweigh its weaknesses

[Poseidon-3 · 17 December 2007]

Based on a short-lived Horton Foote play "The Traveling Lady", this character study focuses on faithful wife Remick, who is reuniting with her husband McQueen who has just been released from prison after several years following a stabbing. Arriving in his hometown, she is surprised to find that he has actually been released for close to a month and is working for room and board at a local couple's home while pursuing a career as a honky-tonk singer at night. Overseeing his behavior with great dismay is his decrepit foster mother Simmons, who prefers him to attend night school in order to make a living. As McQueen struggles to readjust to life on the outside, now with a family to support, he longs for Simmons' approval of his dream to sing for a living. Meanwhile, as Remick begins to break under the weight of McQueen's issues, local Deputy Sheriff Murray provides support, even as he is grappling with the loss of his own spouse. Remick, an actress who usually exuded brains and sophistication, tries hard here to present a simple and plain character and generally succeeds. McQueen takes on a role that is almost autobiographical in terms of the character's past. He is quite authentic and believable except when it comes to the singing. Here he is notably poor at lip-synching and effectively rendering the musical numbers in the film. It's a shame because, otherwise, this is among his best work as a legitimate actor. Murray is amiable and sensitive. Block gives a very unaffected and naturalistic performance as McQueen and Remick's little girl. (This is her only screen credit.) A number of talented character actors dot the cast, though most of them could do a lot more than for what they are called upon. It is perhaps not the most arresting movie since very little actually happens over the course of it, but it does contain some committed acting work from its cast, sports some nice black and white photography, has a vivid, weary, small-town atmosphere and begins with Saul Bass-inspired credits. Also, the title tune (a hit single for Glen Yarbrough) and another one or two numbers are heard. Impatient viewers may bail out long before the end, though fans of the stars should see it and will likely enjoy it.

"King of Cool", but certainly not "The King". (possible spoiler)

[TheMemphian · 7/10 · 16 July 2005]

It's to bad this movie didn't come out 6 years earlier when Rockabilly was still in style. It may have found a young audience. But, this was 1965 and Baby, Rockabilly was dead. So was the Black and White, "Kitchen Sink" drama that haunted British films of late 50's and earlier 60's. (i.e. "Look back in anger" '58 and "This Sporting Life" '63) Color films with contemporary themes were quickly coming into vogue by 1965, as the Flower Children were beginning to bloom. Mcqueen is the coolest, but he may have been just a minute too old for rock and roll, or perhaps it's just that his kind of cool is bigger then rock and roll. Watching him on stage with that guitar is like watching Superman with a golf club. He's got the juice, but he's not sure how to apply it to the task at hand. Maybe he is supposed to look untalented, but it doesn't come off that way. Nevermind the horrid dubbing and title song.

Even so, this is top notch Mcqueen. He's never been as morbidly intriguing, as when he takes that knife and goes after his dead foster mother's buried corpse, set against a creepy Harpsicord solo. It's so intense and over the top, that you can't help but be impressed.

I would only recommend a rental to the truly Mcqueen afflicted. But, for anyone else, it's worth catching on TCM - on a rainy day.

The Middle Ground

[joeyblue-51953 · 7/10 · 19 April 2015]

I have read some of the reviews for this film, some people state that this is one of the greatest films that Steve McQueen appeared in, not at all in my opinion, it's a good film, but it certainly isn't one of his best. Other people state that it's a terrible film, one reviewer even goes as far as saying that it's the worst film that he's ever seen, we all have our own opinions, but the worst film that he has ever seen? His film collection must be fairly small.

Baby the Rain Must Fall is not one of Steve McQueen's most well known films, nor one of his most action packed films, but it is somewhat of an obscure little gem. Again, upon reading reviews, it is clear that people have mixed views about Steve McQueen's performance in this film, one of the weakest parts of the film is the overdubbing, clearly Steve McQueen does not sing, but he cannot take any blame for this, so putting that aside I would say that McQueen does a fine job of portraying Henry Thomas. There are one or two stand out scenes for me, in which he excels, but I won't give anything away, the other actors also gave strong performances, Lee Remick playing the role of Georgette Thomas very well, I think that both of the leading actors complimented each other brilliantly.

I watched this late at night, in darkness, not expecting to see a typical Steve McQueen film, judging by some reactions to the film, others may have watched this film with preconceived notions, which is foolish. This is not a movie to watch with a group of friends, it's not a popcorn movie, it's a dark and unique drama, which was shot in some interesting locations. As a fan of Steve McQueen, I quite often watch one of his films, the reality is he appeared in two or three obscure films, that happen to be very good in my opinion, Soldier in the Rain is a personal favourite of mine, The War Lover is a good film, Hell is for Heroes is an underrated war film, I enjoyed Baby the Rain must Fall, but I would rather watch the other three films that I mentioned, and they wouldn't be in my list of the top five McQueen films. I really don't think that Baby the Rain must Fall is as good as others have said it is, but it is no way near as bad as some people have made it out to be, it's a good film that's worth watching.

Mixed feelings

[lindzmorris · 6/10 · 12 June 2023]

I'm torn over this film. It was great to see a Steve McQueen film on TV other than "The Great Escape", or "Nevada Smith" and for 90% of the film he is his usual great self - but!

Steve was about 35 years old but the characterisation of Henry suggests a much younger man, maybe early 20's.

The girl portraying his daughter, at 8 years old, would also have been better as a babe in arms, or toddler.

I feel that they could have done more to show how the young Henry had been treated by the old lady to fully explain his obvious fear of her other than a few words spoken by another person.

Unfortunately, despite Steve doing a great job for most of the film, some scenes were horrendously poor! The fight outside the bar, oh dear! Also the fight at the cemetery!

One last criticism - definitely the wrong voice to dub for Steve singing!

Having said all that, on the whole, I enjoyed seeing Steve in the role.

I'd definitely say to watch it, it's good to see a less macho Steve!

characters

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 16 July 2023]

Georgette Thomas (Lee Remick) and her young daughter Margaret Rose are riding the bus to see her husband Henry Thomas (Steve McQueen) who just got out of prison. He's an irresponsible musician and has never met his daughter. The folks in his hometown try to help the self-destructive Henry.

This is a movie based on a play. The main issue is Georgette although Henry has his own issues. She is basically the damsel in distress on steroids. I don't know how she survives without charity. She's very one dimensional. On the other hand, he is almost unknowable. He's not a drunk or do drugs. He's just a dumb axx. I am intrigued with Steve McQueen in general and in this movie, he's trying to do southern gothic. That's interesting. Lee Remick is gorgeous lady, but she's in a tough spot playing this damsel. These characters need more developing.

Watch it without interruption - it's 100 minutes of thought.

[pj-baker · 9/10 · 17 July 2005]

I first saw this picture when it was released and was so impressed I had to go back several times. I thought that it was a biography played as an autobiography. McQueen seemed to be playing his actual life on the screen. His formative years without a fathers guidance, his detention in a youth reformatory, a hit-or-miss education, and a spotty work record, all of this is covered in one form or another during the film. Steve is a great actor and an actors job is to convince the audience but here the viewer can almost see Steve's thoughts as he says his lines; you can hear the phrases '...this is my life, I've been through this all before...' The script shows him as a person who is forever controlled by someone else and indeed at one time he really was. Lee Remick and Don Murray are good, as they usually are, and are the only romantic interest in the entire film. The final scenes can make the viewer say 'god! Steve McQueen can really act!' but was he?

Foote And Mouth

[writers_reign · 7/10 · 9 August 2010]

Horton Foote wrote some decent stage plays, some fine television dramas and was equally adept at dramatising works from other mediums for the big screen. It is indisputable that the highlight of his career was his screenplay for Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird so that anything post-Mockingbird was somewhat anti-climactic. In the event for his follow-up screenplay he chose to adapt an earlier play/teleplay of his own, The Travelling Lady and to team up again with director Robert Mulligan who had, of course, directed Mockingbird. I haven't seen The Travelling Lady in either of its earlier formats but given a title like that it's reasonable to assume its focus was on the eponymous character who is played here by Lee Remick. For reasons best known to himself and Mulligan Foote has now given the lion's share of the story to Henry Thomas (Steve McQueen) rather than his wife, Georgia (Remick), presumably because McQueen had more box office clout than Remick. Foote specialized in wistful, rural dramas (The Trip To Bountiful for example) and this is yet one more fish from the same bouillabaisse, neither better nor worse than any other. Although she had a wide range (amoral perjerer, Anatomy of a Murder; nymphomaniac, The Detective) Remick excelled in clean-cut fiances, wives and mothers and to all intents and purposes she walks away with the film under McQueen's nose. This is a quiet, gentle film full of acute observations of rural life and the mores of small town America and is ripe for rediscovery.

This is not a great movie come on now

[suze-4 · 3/10 · 9 February 2024]

To anyone under 70 writing a review here. Be aware that all movies made in this time frame mid-60s were like this. So were all TV dramas. There's nothing special here and plenty that's irritating. I can't believe how many of these reviewers think that something is stunning because it's in black and white. Everything was in black and white at one time. It doesn't make it great and neither do long silences - that's just a style of acting. Anyway aside from this I just want to say only one other person seems to have noticed Steve McQueen was lip syncing very badly to a crummy version of this famous song. It was constantly on the radio at the time and yet even now over 50 years later it irritates me that it's all throughout this movie little parts of it in every scene. And yet they don't bother playing the full hit song at all like what's up with that? I mean I just watched it on YouTube it seems to be complete except the song is missing and maybe they couldn't get the rights to the song although they got the rights to the movie?. But worse than that is the almost constant over acting. It's very much like a soap opera I mean that's fine if that's what you like. If that's what you're in the mood for that's fine. But it's only useful if you want to examine the movie Style of the mid-60s or see the various actors in it that you like. I do have all respect for this motion picture. It's just that it's only of its time and doesn't hold up. Of course it's watchable if you're in the mood. I just find it average and don't understand all the extreme accolades here.

A great but overlooked Steve McQueen film

[rosebud77 · 9/10 · 22 May 2005]

Next to "Sand Pebbles," this film is the best of Steve McQueen. The audience feels his "imprisonment " by the countryside , by the once rich lady who took him in , by his desire to be a singer in a band even if he hasn't all that much talent. I also felt his frustration with being unable to do what his heart desires , a frustration that almost destroys him. I love the symbol of the hope represented by the final shot of the china-berry tree he plants for his daughter , the title song that helps define McQueen's character ,and the final line in the film given by Lee to her daughter..What other human being has not felt these feelings ? A minor classic for me! A gem for both Steve and Lee"s acting , acting almost without words!

Comentaries about the DVD edition

[jcplanells3 · 7/10 · 24 January 2006]

Last week I saw this movie in DVD. Fortunately for me, there was Spanish subtitles. I said fortunately, because the Paramount edition says that the subtitles were only in English and french, but the menu of the root offered also Japanese and Spanish, so I could see the movie better than with subtitles only in English (I am Spanish,I can read English more or less, so I need subtitles in the DVD). The film remembers very well the atmosphere of "To Kill a Mockinbird", the photography, the way in what Mulligan put the actors in front of the camera, the way they talk inside a room, and a character is listening outside.

This is so bad its the reason I signed up on here

[adrienneenterprises · 2/10 · 31 December 2022]

I have been using imdb for over 20 years, but never found the need to sign in or make a comment until now. I was first aware of this film when I saw a picture of Steve McQueen playing a three pickup Gibson guitar, and I thought "wow, I must watch this".... After many years i t finally turned up on TV and what a disappointment it is. Steve McQueen overacts like Shatner in Star Trek. The story is slow and boring. There is a reason you dont see films like this, as most people will change the channel when the ad break comes on. Do yourself a favour, dont waste two hours watching this film. Stay tuned for more reviews of other films from me.