EPIC WITH A CAPITAL E

A Video Review of "The Good Earth"

Copyright 2003 Glenn Walker

This 1937 classic based on the Pearl S. Buck novel is probably one of the greatest films ever made and by any means is a definitive epic.

The Good Earth is the story of Wang Lung a Chinese farmer and his freed slave wife O-Lan. They leave their homeland during a famine to face revolution in the city only to return with a fortune that they use to rehabilitate their home and family amongst other strife.

The director had originally wanted an all Chinese cast but eventually settled on Paul Muni as Wang Lung and Oscar winner Luise Rainer as O-Lan. She is excellent as a strong woman in a time when women traditionally weren't. Walter Connolly is also excellent.

If you haven't seen this classic let me heartily recommend it. The Good Earth is one of the best.