Watch The Sea of Grass

The Sea of Grass is a 1947 Western drama film which was directed by Elia Kazan. Set in New Mexico during the early 1900s, the movie stars Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy as a couple who struggle to maintain their relationship amidst the challenges of life on the open range. Robert Walker co-stars as a lawyer who becomes involved in their lives, creating a complicated love triangle that threatens to tear them apart.

The film portrays the difficult life of ranchers in the American West in the early 20th century. Hepburn's character, Lutie Cameron, is the wife of Colonel James B. 'Jim' Brewton (Tracy) who owns a large ranch known as the Y.O. Ranch. When Brewton decides to introduce a new breed of cattle on the range, it sparks a feud with his neighbors who believe that the cattle will ruin the grasslands. The conflict comes to a head when a group of neighboring ranchers band together to burn down the Y.O. Ranch, killing many of the new cattle and leading to a violent confrontation between the two sides.

The Sea of Grass is notable for its stunning cinematography which captures the vast, sweeping landscapes of the American West. The film was shot on location in New Mexico and features breathtaking vistas of mesas, canyons, and wide-open grasslands. Kazan's direction is also noteworthy for its use of long shots and deep focus, which serve to convey the vastness of the landscape and the isolation of the characters.

The performances of the lead actors are also key to the film's success. Hepburn and Tracy have a natural on-screen chemistry that conveys both the passion and the struggle of their characters' relationship. Hepburn's Lutie is a strong-willed and independent woman who chafes under the restrictions of life on the ranch, while Tracy's Jim is a stoic and traditional rancher who values his land and his way of life above all else. In contrast, Robert Walker's character, Brice Chamberlain, is a city lawyer who becomes caught up in the world of the ranch and who falls in love with Lutie, creating a complex love triangle that forms the emotional core of the film.

Despite its strengths, The Sea of Grass was not a critical or commercial success upon its release. Some critics found the film's tone too melodramatic, while others felt that the pacing was too slow. The movie also faced criticism for its depiction of Native Americans, who are portrayed as savage and uncivilized. Nevertheless, the film's powerful imagery and strong performances have helped it to gain a cult following in the years since its release.

Overall, The Sea of Grass is a haunting and evocative film that captures the beauty and brutality of life on the American frontier. With its powerful performances, stunning cinematography, and emotionally charged story, it remains a classic of the Western genre and a testament to the enduring power of cinema.

The Sea of Grass is a 1947 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 3 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.