Country (1984)

Gilbert Ivy and his wife Jewell are farmers. They seem to be working against the odds, producing no financial surplus. Gilbert has lost hope of ever becoming prosperous, but his wife ... See full summary »

Director:

Richard Pearce

Writer:

William D. Wittliff

Stars:

Jessica Lange, Sam Shepard, Wilford Brimley

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jessica Lange	...	Jewell Ivy
Sam Shepard	...	Gil Ivy
Wilford Brimley	...	Otis
Matt Clark	...	Tom McMullen
Theresa Graham	...	Marlene Ivy (as Therese' Graham)
Levi L. Knebel	...	Carlisle Ivy
Jim Haynie	...	Arlon Brewer
Sandra Seacat	...	Louise Brewer
Alex Harvey	...	Fordyce, FHA Man
Stephanie-Stacy Poyner	...	Missy Ivy
Jim Ostercamp	...	Cowboy
Robert L. Somers	...	Grain Elevator Operator (as Robert Somers)
Frank Noel	...	Semi Driver (as Frank Noel Jr.)
Warren Duit	...	Preacher (as Rev. Warren Duit)
Conrad Doan	...	Auctioneer

Storyline

Gilbert Ivy and his wife Jewell are farmers. They seem to be working against the odds, producing no financial surplus. Gilbert has lost hope of ever becoming prosperous, but his wife decides to fight for her family.

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Plot Keywords:

farmer | struggle for land | oppression | justice | broken home | 

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Taglines:

In this country, when the land is your life...you fight for your life

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Very similar in theme to Places In The Heart, which came out the same year, and was part of the Farm Cycle of movies that came out of Hollywood in the early and mid 80s. (The River with Sissy Spacek is also part of this cycle).

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Goofs

Around the 45-minute mark, when Jewell picks up the mail, the baby in the stroller is happy and gurgling. As the camera pans up to Jewell's face as she begins to read the letter, the sound-effect of a baby crying is heard -- though the actual baby's face is still in-frame and appears happy, as before.

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Quotes

Tom McMullen: Listen, you owe the money, nobody forced you to borrow it.

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Connections

Referenced in Shepard & Dark (2012)

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Soundtracks

Epilogue and Hymn
Written by George Winston

User Reviews

Strong, honest and intelligent.

Like "The Grapes of Wrath" before it, Richard Pearce's "Country" is about poverty-stricken farmers up against the banks and the kind of weather that could wipe them out in an instant. It may lack the poetry of Ford's masterpiece but Pearce gives it a wonderful documentary-like feeling helped by terrifically naturalistic performances from Jessica Lange and Sam Shepard. Its dramas don't feel manufactured, just as the family at its centre feel like a proper family, despite the obvious star quality of its leads. It is, in fact, the kind of film Americans do better than almost anyone else when they set their minds to it; strong, honest and intelligent and it seldom puts a foot wrong. I'm just amazed Pearce's career never really went anywhere.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 September 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Country

Filming Locations:

Black Hawk County, Iowa, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$24,443, 30 September 1984

Gross USA:

$9,640,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,640,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Far West, Panagea, Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1