A Place In The Sun (DVD)

Introduction
A Place in the Sun, directed by George Stevens, is a strangely gripping film that leaves you not sure whether to feel sorry for the main character or not. With names like Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift and Shelley Winters in the three main roles, it is not surprising that the film has attracted a lot of attention over the years, although I think that it is the strong storyline and cinematography, rather than the acting that ...
...in 1975. He came from a family connected to the movies - his father was a bit actor in Citizen Kane, his brother was a drama critic and his sister became a screenwriter. George first became a cameraman and moved his way up to director. His most well-known films include Swing Time (Astaire and Rogers 1936), Gunga Din (1939), Woman of the Year (1942), A Place in the Sun (1951) and Shane (1953).

The actors/characters
Edward Montgomery ... more

Introduction
A Place in the Sun, directed by George Stevens, is a strangely gripping film that leaves you not sure whether to feel sorry for the main character or not. With names like Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift and Shelley Winters in the three main roles, it is not surprising that the film has attracted a lot of attention over the years, although I think that it is the strong storyline and cinematography, rather than the acting that stands out.

The director
George Stevens, one of the foremost directors of his time, was born in California in 1904 and died in 1975. He came from a family connected to the movies - his father was a bit actor in Citizen Kane, his brother was a drama critic and his sister became a screenwriter. George first became a cameraman and moved his way up to director. His most well-known films include Swing Time (Astaire and Rogers 1936), Gunga Din (1939), Woman of the Year (1942), A Place in the Sun (1951) and Shane (1953).

The actors/characters
Edward Montgomery Clift was born to a poor family, but was raised as an aristrocrat when his mother discovered that although she was born out of wedlock, her family had distinguished connection. His first film was Red River in 1948 with John Wayne. A Place in the Sun (1951) and From Here to Eternity (1953) were his most famous films. Unfortunately, he was found dead at the age of 44 as a result of coronary heart disease following years of alcoholism. As George Eastman, Clift does a good job of portraying a poor boy come good, but without the strength to see it through. Not brilliant, but perfectly adequate.

Elizabeth Taylor needs little introduction. This was her first adult role and the beginning of a string of film roles, including Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) and Suddenly, Last Summer (1959). As aristocrat Angela Vickers, she looks fantastic, but I didn't feel that she stood out as a particularly good actress. However, the role didn't call for much talent - she just needed to look beautiful and she could do that standing on her head.

Shelley Winters was already fairly well-known as a screen siren when she got the role of Alice Tripp. Apparently she had to dye her hair and dress down to get the part - when George Stevens saw her waiting for her audition, he didn't recognise her. I found her quite annoying as Alice Tripp, but I think this suited the role and helps the audience to feel sympathy for George Eastman.

The story
George Eastman, having met his rich uncle by accident, leaves his poorly paid job to go and work in his uncle's swimwear factory and slowly begins to work his way up the system. Although one of the key rules of the factory is that male and female staff cannot have relationships, he is attracted to Alice Tripp, one of the workers, and begins an affair with her.

In time, George catches the eye of his uncle, who promotes him and begins to invite him to private dinners and dances. At one of these, George catches the eye of Angela, and unable to believe his luck, he begins to court her. Unfortunately, he does not get the chance to end the relationship with Alice because of the ties that she now has to him and she makes it more and more difficult to continue seeing Angela. Eventually, Alice threatens to spill the beans to Eastman's family and George realises that the only way to save his relationship with Angela is to get rid of Alice….

Conclusion
Definitely a top-notch film. The acting is good, but not brilliant, but this is not important, because the excellent storyline and cinematography make up for it. The story is based on a book called 'An American Tragedy' by Theodore Dreiser - I haven't read the book, but if it's anything like the film, it should be good. The cinematography is interesting because Stevens concentrated on a lot of close-ups and also fading out of images over the top of new ones, which gives it a ghostly, eerie feeling, all the more so for being in black and white.

The film is all about reaping what you sow. What is slightly different about this one is that George realises what he's done and accepts responsibility, which makes it hard for the viewer to decide who to feel sorry for.

I watched the film version, but the DVD is available from Amazon for £12.99.
 

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