The Southerner

Plot

Sam Tucker, a weary cotton picker with dreams of independence, decides to leave the grueling life of a field hand and become a farmer with his young family. Along with his wife Nona, their two children, and his elderly uncle, Sam moves to a dilapidated farm he inherits, determined to make a fresh start by planting his own cotton crop. The Tuckers face relentless hardships including a devastating flood that destroys their first planting, their son's life-threatening illness from contaminated water, and the hostility of their jealous neighbor Devers who sabotages their efforts at every turn. Despite these overwhelming obstacles and moments of despair, Sam's unwavering determination and the family's resilience keep them going through their first brutal year as farmers. In a climactic confrontation, Sam stands up to Devers and ultimately decides to remain on the land, embracing the struggle as essential to their dignity and future as independent farmers.

Historical Background

Made during the final year of World War II, 'The Southerner' emerged at a time when America was grappling with its identity and values. The film's release in August 1945 coincided with the end of the war, a period when the nation was transitioning from wartime unity to peacetime challenges. The story of a family struggling to achieve the American dream through farming resonated deeply with audiences who had endured years of sacrifice and were looking toward rebuilding their lives. The film also addressed ongoing issues of rural poverty and economic inequality that the New Deal had attempted to address but remained unresolved. Renoir's perspective as a European outsider gave the film a unique critical distance, allowing it to examine American myths without romanticizing them. The timing of its release meant it was one of the first major films to address post-war American values, emphasizing perseverance, family unity, and the dignity of labor - themes that would define the immediate post-war era in American cinema.

Making Of

Jean Renoir, fleeing Nazi-occupied France, arrived in Hollywood in 1940 and struggled to find projects that suited his humanistic vision. 'The Southerner' represented his most successful American film, allowing him to explore themes of human dignity and social justice within the studio system. Renoir fought with producers over the film's ending - he wanted a more ambiguous conclusion but was forced to provide a more hopeful resolution. The director insisted on extensive location filming, unusual for the time, to capture the authentic feel of rural life. He worked closely with cinematographer Lucien Andriot to develop a visual style that combined documentary realism with poetic lyricism. The cast underwent extensive preparation, spending time with actual farming families to understand their way of life. Renoir's characteristic use of deep focus and long takes creates a sense of immersion in the farming environment. The production was plagued by weather problems, with the California drought complicating the flood sequence and unexpected rains delaying other scenes. Despite these challenges, Renoir's humanistic approach shines through in every frame, making the film a testament to his belief in the dignity of ordinary people.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Lucien Andriot employs a naturalistic style that was revolutionary for Hollywood films of its era. Andriot and Renoir made extensive use of deep focus photography, allowing multiple planes of action to remain sharp and creating a sense of immersion in the farming environment. The film features extensive location shooting with natural lighting, particularly during the golden hour scenes that bathe the rural landscape in warm, authentic light. The camera work emphasizes the relationship between humans and their environment, with many compositions placing the characters as small figures against vast agricultural spaces. The flood sequence uses innovative camera techniques including underwater photography and dramatic tracking shots to convey the power of nature. Andriot's use of shadow and light creates a poetic quality that elevates the documentary-like realism. The cinematography avoids the glamour typical of Hollywood productions, instead embracing the rough textures of rural life - cracked earth, weathered wood, and worn clothing all become visual elements that tell the story.

Innovations

The film pioneered several technical innovations that would influence later American cinema. The production developed new techniques for creating realistic weather effects, particularly the flood sequence which required custom-built water tanks and sophisticated pumping systems. The sound recording team, led by Jack Whitney, developed new methods for capturing authentic outdoor audio while maintaining dialogue clarity, a significant challenge for location filming in the 1940s. The film's use of deep focus cinematography required innovations in lighting and camera equipment to achieve consistent sharpness across multiple planes. The makeup department, led by Ben Nye, created new techniques for 'de-glamorizing' the actors while still ensuring they remained recognizable on screen. The production design team built fully functional farm sets that could withstand the demands of filming agricultural work, including actual planting and harvesting sequences. These technical achievements were recognized with multiple Academy Award nominations and influenced how Hollywood approached realistic storytelling in subsequent years.

Music

The musical score by Werner Janssen was notable for its restrained approach, using folk-inspired melodies that complemented the film's realistic tone rather than overwhelming it. Janssen incorporated elements of American folk music and spirituals, creating a soundtrack that felt authentic to the Southern setting while avoiding stereotypical Hollywood treatments of rural music. The score's Academy Award nomination recognized its innovative approach to film music, particularly its use of silence and minimal instrumentation during key dramatic moments. Janssen's themes for the Tucker family emphasize their resilience and dignity, while the music for antagonist Devers has a more dissonant quality. The soundtrack makes effective use of natural sounds - wind, water, and farm equipment - as musical elements, blurring the line between score and sound design. This approach influenced later films seeking authenticity in their musical treatment of rural American stories. The score's restraint was unusual for Hollywood films of the 1940s, which typically used more lush, romantic orchestrations.

Memorable Scenes

• The devastating flood sequence where Sam desperately tries to save his cotton crop from the rising waters, filmed with remarkable realism and emotional power.
• The scene where Sam's son falls ill from contaminated water, and the family's frantic race to save him, showcasing their vulnerability and love.
• The final confrontation between Sam and his hostile neighbor Devers, where Sam stands his ground and refuses to be driven from his land.
• The opening sequence showing the backbreaking work of cotton picking, immediately establishing the physical toll of the characters' lives.
• The tender scene where Sam and Nona discuss their dreams for their children's future, revealing their hopes beneath the hardship.

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised 'The Southerner' for its authenticity and emotional power, with many highlighting Jean Renoir's sensitive direction as the film's greatest strength. Bosley Crowther of The New York Times called it 'a beautiful and moving picture of simple people' and praised Renoir for 'bringing to the American screen a quality of human understanding and visual poetry that is rare in our films.' Variety noted the film's 'unusual realism and sincerity' while Time magazine described it as 'one of the year's most honest and moving pictures.' Modern critics have reevaluated the film as a masterpiece of American cinema, with many considering it Renoir's greatest American work. The Criterion Collection release brought renewed attention to the film, with critics praising its documentary-like approach to farming life and its refusal to romanticize poverty. The film is now frequently cited in film studies courses as an example of how European directors influenced American cinema, and as a rare Hollywood film that successfully combines social realism with poetic lyricism.

What Audiences Thought

Upon its release in 1945, 'The Southerner' found modest success with audiences who appreciated its honest portrayal of American family values during a time of national transition. The film resonated particularly strongly with rural audiences and those who had experienced similar struggles during the Great Depression. However, some urban viewers found the film's stark realism and lack of Hollywood gloss challenging. The movie's box office performance was respectable but not spectacular, partly due to its unconventional style for the time and competition from more escapist wartime entertainment. Over the decades, the film has developed a cult following among cinema enthusiasts and is now regarded as a classic by those who discover it through revivals and home video. Audiences today often express surprise at the film's contemporary relevance, particularly its themes of economic hardship and environmental challenges. The film's reputation has grown significantly over time, with many modern viewers considering it ahead of its time in its realistic approach to American life.

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