I had some pre-conceived "notions" of this film, under the impression it was a real atmospheric gem like "The Last Picture Show", released around the same time. Sadly, it is not on that level. My grade school teacher lived, at the time, where it was filmed as well. I never got around to seeing it until last night.
Set in the then-present day, the film concerns an independent logging family business and their internal and external conflicts.
Henry Fonda plays the father Henry Stamper, sons Hank, Leland and Joe Ben are played by Paul Newman, Michael Sarrazin and Richard Jaeckel. Lee Remick plays Newman's wife Viv.
Leland arrives back home after a disastrous set of circumstances, and joins the logging effort. The family is beset upon by almost the entire town, who are all on strike against the big logging company they work for. For some odd reason, they expect the Stampers to stand along with them and stop production, even though they are not in any union.
So, the townsfolk sabotage and burn the Stampers equipment, cause a fight at a picnic, cut off the Stampers credit, etc.
Internal strife includes a look at Viv's unhappiness living there (the whole family lives in one big house), Leland's self-reflection, Hank's attempt to move the company forward, etc.
The great parts of the movie really have to do with the logging action. These scenes are really shot well. From Leland's first days struggling with the laborious and dangerous tasks, and then becoming good at the job, to the details in showing the job, which appears exhausting, exciting, and risky all at the same time. The scenery is gorgeous. The grittiness of that life is totally realistic. The famous scene with Joe Ben caught in a horrific situation is so realistic, frightening and sad, it goes down in history as one of the best scenes in cinema.
The best is slightly offset by the worst. With the exception of Joe Ben and his family, there is not one likable character. Leland, prior to his arrival, is smoking dope and blows up the building he is in, and to escape responsibility, runs away to hide out with the family. He ends up having an affair with his brother's wife (hinted strongly at in the movie, a cut scene actually shows the affair). Hank doesn't appreciate his wife, and worse, had an affair with his own step mother before she died.
The most obnoxious character is Fonda's Henry. Perhaps I am unfairly critical here as I have such a strong dislike for Fonda, as he is, in real life, a God-awful person. Here, he acts like a younger version of the character he played in "On Golden Pond" over a decade later, who was also a goofball. Henry parades around with his stupid arm cast, arm sticking straight out, which he occasionally whacks people with. He loves to bang on doors with a stick to wake people up, and declaring, "Eating, working, screwing sleeping....that's all there is Love" to Viv. The Viv character is there simply to throw a female in to wash clothes and cook, and complain about life.
I did enjoy Henry's last scene, if only to serve the purpose that I didn't have to hear him yak anymore.
The ending is rather fun, an in-your-face to the townspeople/union members. Frankly however, I never understood this conflict. Workers usually get mad at members of their union deciding not to strike and going into work, screwing up their bargaining power. But the Stampers have always been independent. Why would their small output mean anything to anyone? This would be the equivalent of a supermarket chain going on strike for more pay, and trying to burn down the building of a local butcher who stays open. Does that make sense?
An interesting film, some great moments, but not a great film. Mild recommendation here.
Set in the then-present day, the film concerns an independent logging family business and their internal and external conflicts.
Henry Fonda plays the father Henry Stamper, sons Hank, Leland and Joe Ben are played by Paul Newman, Michael Sarrazin and Richard Jaeckel. Lee Remick plays Newman's wife Viv.
Leland arrives back home after a disastrous set of circumstances, and joins the logging effort. The family is beset upon by almost the entire town, who are all on strike against the big logging company they work for. For some odd reason, they expect the Stampers to stand along with them and stop production, even though they are not in any union.
So, the townsfolk sabotage and burn the Stampers equipment, cause a fight at a picnic, cut off the Stampers credit, etc.
Internal strife includes a look at Viv's unhappiness living there (the whole family lives in one big house), Leland's self-reflection, Hank's attempt to move the company forward, etc.
The great parts of the movie really have to do with the logging action. These scenes are really shot well. From Leland's first days struggling with the laborious and dangerous tasks, and then becoming good at the job, to the details in showing the job, which appears exhausting, exciting, and risky all at the same time. The scenery is gorgeous. The grittiness of that life is totally realistic. The famous scene with Joe Ben caught in a horrific situation is so realistic, frightening and sad, it goes down in history as one of the best scenes in cinema.
The best is slightly offset by the worst. With the exception of Joe Ben and his family, there is not one likable character. Leland, prior to his arrival, is smoking dope and blows up the building he is in, and to escape responsibility, runs away to hide out with the family. He ends up having an affair with his brother's wife (hinted strongly at in the movie, a cut scene actually shows the affair). Hank doesn't appreciate his wife, and worse, had an affair with his own step mother before she died.
The most obnoxious character is Fonda's Henry. Perhaps I am unfairly critical here as I have such a strong dislike for Fonda, as he is, in real life, a God-awful person. Here, he acts like a younger version of the character he played in "On Golden Pond" over a decade later, who was also a goofball. Henry parades around with his stupid arm cast, arm sticking straight out, which he occasionally whacks people with. He loves to bang on doors with a stick to wake people up, and declaring, "Eating, working, screwing sleeping....that's all there is Love" to Viv. The Viv character is there simply to throw a female in to wash clothes and cook, and complain about life.
I did enjoy Henry's last scene, if only to serve the purpose that I didn't have to hear him yak anymore.
The ending is rather fun, an in-your-face to the townspeople/union members. Frankly however, I never understood this conflict. Workers usually get mad at members of their union deciding not to strike and going into work, screwing up their bargaining power. But the Stampers have always been independent. Why would their small output mean anything to anyone? This would be the equivalent of a supermarket chain going on strike for more pay, and trying to burn down the building of a local butcher who stays open. Does that make sense?
An interesting film, some great moments, but not a great film. Mild recommendation here.