I saw this movie as a kid and didn't think much of it. The biggest thing I remember about it was how long the movie was and the calves' brains scene. Now, I just saw the film again and it changed my perspective quite a bit.
The first 1/2 of the movie didn't overwhelm me. Yes, it was good,...but certainly seemed far from great. The scenery was spectacular but rather dull after a while. And, the characters seemed a bit idealized--Elizabeth Taylor's character was sweet and Rock Hudson seemed more and more like a jerk. There didn't seem to be any sort of transcendent message.
However, as the film continued, the plot and characters evolved and you don't see that happen too often in films. While Rock was still a bit of an old fashioned guy, he became more and more decent and likable--culminating with the gut-wrenching scene in the restaurant. Then, when he and Liz were at home and she told him she had never been more proud of him than when he attacked this bully, it really made the movie for me. Its message of racism and change was well worth the VERY long wait.
The first 1/2 of the movie didn't overwhelm me. Yes, it was good,...but certainly seemed far from great. The scenery was spectacular but rather dull after a while. And, the characters seemed a bit idealized--Elizabeth Taylor's character was sweet and Rock Hudson seemed more and more like a jerk. There didn't seem to be any sort of transcendent message.
However, as the film continued, the plot and characters evolved and you don't see that happen too often in films. While Rock was still a bit of an old fashioned guy, he became more and more decent and likable--culminating with the gut-wrenching scene in the restaurant. Then, when he and Liz were at home and she told him she had never been more proud of him than when he attacked this bully, it really made the movie for me. Its message of racism and change was well worth the VERY long wait.