Reviews

This is my Holy Grail of films. I find this film goes beyond an apparent story line but moves by way of it's subtext to a metaphysical and transcendental awakening in the viewer. The yin and yang of a life and death struggle. The grinding conflicts of man inhumanity to man in a world that is not surreal but in a black and white reality ( the real world). Kurosawa is a man of vision with a profound sense of creativity in cinematic language. The cast is so superb and it's probably the closes that one will get to perfection in an epic ensemble of characters. Toshiro Mifune? A master of revealing inner conflict and pathos. I look at this film as a balm for my spirit to be renewed. It's a film that can only be described as a cosmic force that has a message for the viewer that looks at humanity in it's chaos and societal degeneration and finally it's rebirth.

I found this little gem to be an exquisite piece of ensemble work by some of the best screen actors to ever to be in front of a lens. Elia Kazan impeccable direction and a performance by Jo Van Fleet that could be a learning tool for some of these putrid so-called actress that now are being lauded as the neo-contemporary actress's of the day. When you see a film of this artistic magnitude you can easily understand the dumbing down process of the American cinematic media. Not one of the so-called stars of today could measure up to Lee Remicks complex and sensitive portrayal of Carol in Wild River. Montgomery Clift an actors actor , there will never be another. A master of controlled raw emotion and body language. Gone are the days indeed when this kind of movie production will return. Not special effects or remake after loathsome remake or some equally obnoxious star or starlet will match this cinematic jewel.