Raintree County: A Sweeping Epic of Love, War, and Tragedy in Classic Hollywood
Explore “Raintree County” (1957), the epic drama starring Elizabeth Taylor & Montgomery Clift. A classic Hollywood tale of love, war, and ambition.
Based on Ross Lockridge’s sole novel and adapted by Millard Kaufman, Raintree County (1957), directed by Edward Dmytryk, tells the story of John Wickliff Shawnessy (Montgomery Clift), an idealistic abolitionist. John distances himself from a girlfriend when he falls for Susanna Drake (Elizabeth Taylor), a young and wealthy woman. The two marry when she claims to be pregnant, but their life together becomes a burden when he discovers she suffers from mental illness. Frustrated, he enlists in the army and departs for the American Civil War. Despite being victorious in the war, he must return home to the problems he left behind.
One of the film’s strong points is the musical score by Johnny Green (known for Easter Parade and West Side Story) and the cinematography by Robert Surtees, who captured powerful scenes, particularly those of the wartime battles. Leading the cast, Montgomery Clift was involved in a severe accident during filming and had to step away for reconstructive facial surgeries. The actor was returning from a party at Elizabeth Taylor’s home when his car collided with a tree. Clift never fully recovered from the accident, but he had the unwavering support of Elizabeth Taylor, his co-star and long-time friend. According to reports, she, along with Rock Hudson, helped save the actor’s life.
The accident forced him to take nine weeks off from filming, though he continued with difficulties. There was consideration of replacing him, but the production costs would have been too high, and once again, Taylor reportedly intervened in his favor. However, neither plastic surgeries nor makeup could entirely conceal the reconstruction of Clift’s face, as can be seen by comparing before and after photos. Despite significant studio investment and magnificent cinematography, even the strong cast couldn’t make the film a box office success. Raintree County was made with the intention of becoming a new Gone with the Wind, but it did not achieve the same success, for several reasons. In part, this was due to the film’s considerable length; it premiered at 168 minutes but, after a poor reception, had to be shortened to 151 minutes. The first hour of the film unfolds slowly and without clear focus. In a strange way, Eva Marie Saint’s character doesn’t quite take off. She’s the girl who does everything right, but her personality seems to lack greater depth, which is likely the fault of the script rather than the actress. The main character himself, Johnny, also appears to be a good, honorable, and loyal person, yet without much to add, appearing rather ordinary.
Other standouts in the cast include Lee Marvin as the friend and rival, Agnes Moorehead, and Walter Abel. However, the true standout, despite all the challenges, is Elizabeth Taylor. The actress, known for her beautiful violet eyes, delivers a solid performance and exhibits the talent she had already showcased years earlier in A Place in the Sun. As Susanna Drake, she emerges as seductive enough to make John forget his old girlfriend, only to then embody a troubled and difficult woman who is fully aware of her disorder, seeing herself as a burden on John’s back while simultaneously being frightened by the prospect of losing him. The dolls in her room betray how fragile her inner child feels. For her portrayal, Taylor received her first Academy Award nomination, though she ultimately lost to the equally talented Joanne Woodward for The Three Faces of Eve.
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