Universal International's THIS EARTH IS MINE is an unfairly dismissed and generally disregarded minor blockbuster! Produced for the studio in 1959 by Casey Robinson and Claude Heilman the picture - nicely written for the screen by Robinson - derived from the novel THE CUP & THE SWORD by Alice Tisdale. With attractive Art Direction by George W. Davis and Eric Orbom it was stunningly photographed in Cinemascope and glowing colour by two masters of the camera Winton Hoch of "The Searchers" (1956) fame and Russell Metty who knocked everyone out with his unique work on Welles "Touch Of Evil" in 1958. Engagingly directed by Henry King (Tyrone Power's favourite director and friend for many years at Fox) THIS EARTH IS MINE is the engrossing story of the Rambeau wine dynasty, a proud family caught up in its own internal conflicts. The all star cast is agreeably fleshed out by Rock Hudson, Jean Simmons, Claude Rains and Dorothy McGuire and the whole thing is perfectly underlined with a great score by Hugo Friedhofer.
It is 1931 and America is in the throes of Prohibition. The law against alcohol consumption is having a devastating effect on the grape growers and wine makers of the Napa Valley in California. The wine family dynasty of patriarch Phillipe Rambeau (Claude Rains) is worried about survival. In an attempt to consolidate his dynasty he sends to England for his granddaughter Elizabeth (Jean Simmons). But illegitimate cousin John Rambeau (Rock Hudson) is immediately attracted to her and a stormy affair begins. With falling wine sales the younger Rambeau endeavors to convince Phillipe to sell just the grapes ("We grow grapes. Why can't we sell grapes? There's a fortune to be made" exhorts John). But Phillipe is set in his ways ("I wont sell grapes to gangsters and bootleggers so they can make their cheap sour belly wine" retorts an intransigent and determined Phillipe). Later, to the chagrin of Elizabeth, a scandal erupts when John is accused of fathering a child with one of the vineyard work-hands (Cindy Robbins) ("What sort of cock & bull story is this - there's not a word of truth in it" exclaims John to a disbelieving and appalled Elizabeth). Then in a follow-up confrontation with the girl's husband (Ken SCott) he is shot and badly wounded. After a massive fire destroys one of the vineyards and Phillipe dies the picture comes to an end with a recovering, limping and exonerated John Rambeau working alone replanting the burnt-out vineyard (willed to him by Phillipe). He is then joined by a forgiving Elizabeth and sealed with a kiss they now vow to face the future together.
Performances are excellent across the board. Hudson is good in what is one of his best serious roles and much better than his one note performance in the tiresome "Giant" three years earlier. Jean Simmons, always an intense actress and ever so British, is her usual unsmiling and over zealous self. Good too is the likable Dorothy McGuire as Martha the stern and authoritarian daughter of Phillipe who runs the grand household like a business. But best in it is Claude Rains as Phillipe the crusty dictatorial head of the family. As always Rains delivers one of his well measured character portrayals.
Also of note is the fine score by Hugo Friedhofer. There is a haunting title song by Sammy Fain and Jimmy Van Heusen heard over the opening credits and well rendered by popular singer of the day Don Cornell. Friedhofer interpolates this song into his score and is poignantly utilized in an exquisite setting for muted strings for the love scenes. And then for the finale it is especially moving and uplifting as full orchestra, with humming female chorus, plays under the end scene where John and Elizabeth caress in the burnt-out vineyard and as the camera pans back from them the music swells to bring the picture to an arresting and satisfying denouement.
THIS EARTH IS MINE is a handsomely mounted colourful melodrama with splendidly drawn characters. Shame it isn't liked more! But now it has just been released on DVD in Spain in a resplendent sharp 2.35 transfer. So it is time for a re-evaluation and reassessment of this fine but neglected movie.
It is 1931 and America is in the throes of Prohibition. The law against alcohol consumption is having a devastating effect on the grape growers and wine makers of the Napa Valley in California. The wine family dynasty of patriarch Phillipe Rambeau (Claude Rains) is worried about survival. In an attempt to consolidate his dynasty he sends to England for his granddaughter Elizabeth (Jean Simmons). But illegitimate cousin John Rambeau (Rock Hudson) is immediately attracted to her and a stormy affair begins. With falling wine sales the younger Rambeau endeavors to convince Phillipe to sell just the grapes ("We grow grapes. Why can't we sell grapes? There's a fortune to be made" exhorts John). But Phillipe is set in his ways ("I wont sell grapes to gangsters and bootleggers so they can make their cheap sour belly wine" retorts an intransigent and determined Phillipe). Later, to the chagrin of Elizabeth, a scandal erupts when John is accused of fathering a child with one of the vineyard work-hands (Cindy Robbins) ("What sort of cock & bull story is this - there's not a word of truth in it" exclaims John to a disbelieving and appalled Elizabeth). Then in a follow-up confrontation with the girl's husband (Ken SCott) he is shot and badly wounded. After a massive fire destroys one of the vineyards and Phillipe dies the picture comes to an end with a recovering, limping and exonerated John Rambeau working alone replanting the burnt-out vineyard (willed to him by Phillipe). He is then joined by a forgiving Elizabeth and sealed with a kiss they now vow to face the future together.
Performances are excellent across the board. Hudson is good in what is one of his best serious roles and much better than his one note performance in the tiresome "Giant" three years earlier. Jean Simmons, always an intense actress and ever so British, is her usual unsmiling and over zealous self. Good too is the likable Dorothy McGuire as Martha the stern and authoritarian daughter of Phillipe who runs the grand household like a business. But best in it is Claude Rains as Phillipe the crusty dictatorial head of the family. As always Rains delivers one of his well measured character portrayals.
Also of note is the fine score by Hugo Friedhofer. There is a haunting title song by Sammy Fain and Jimmy Van Heusen heard over the opening credits and well rendered by popular singer of the day Don Cornell. Friedhofer interpolates this song into his score and is poignantly utilized in an exquisite setting for muted strings for the love scenes. And then for the finale it is especially moving and uplifting as full orchestra, with humming female chorus, plays under the end scene where John and Elizabeth caress in the burnt-out vineyard and as the camera pans back from them the music swells to bring the picture to an arresting and satisfying denouement.
THIS EARTH IS MINE is a handsomely mounted colourful melodrama with splendidly drawn characters. Shame it isn't liked more! But now it has just been released on DVD in Spain in a resplendent sharp 2.35 transfer. So it is time for a re-evaluation and reassessment of this fine but neglected movie.