MITCHUM AND PEPPARD STAND OUTS IN THIS DRAMA -

Although the title Home From The Hill (1960) leaves one wondering just exactly how that title fits in with the plot and subplots, the movie, adapted from William Humphrey's novel, is a great drama enhanced by the terrific performances of Robert Mitchum, George Hamilton, George Peppard and Eleanor Parker. Theron Hunnicutt (Hamilton) is a 17-year-old Texas son who must break away from his mother's (Parker) apron strings and walk in his father's (Mitchum) boss-around-town, but not so gallant footsteps.

Wade Hunnicutt is a man's man who has the admiration of anyone around town who counts. He handles his finances the same way he handles his loveless marriage. With a firm hand and knowing when to cut his losses and try plan B. His wife Hannah hasn't slept with him since they conceived Theron, so Wade gets his respect from the women he beds around town (married or not), his hunting buddies and his handy man, Rafe (Peppard), who will do anything for Wade.

Rafe even saves his life when an errant hunter fires and Rafe shoves Wade down, causing him to end up with a whole in his arm instead of dead. On the way home from the doctor's, Rafe ask Wade for one of his special hunting guns. Wade goes off on him saying, "I take care of you, good care. You got seed, tobacco, you fish my stream, you own a change of clothes, you live rent free, you got steady employment. You want to improve your station in life you can just move on anytime."

When Wade asks Rafe to take Theron under his wings and teach him how to hunt and act like a man, Rafe complies with little grimace. Theron undertakes his new education with gusto, asking Rafe guy things he could never ask his mother or father, since they were never close. This is something Theron has never understood why his parents but never questions them.

Feeling more like a man, Theron sets his eye on Lilly, one of the pretty young girls in town and makes Rafe ask her out on a date for him, since he's too shy. The night of a big birthday barbecue at the Hunnicutt's, Theron goes to pick up Lilly only to have her father slam the door in his face and swear his daughter will never date a Hunnicutt.

It's not long after that Theron learns not only about his father's infidelities, but that Rafe is his father's illegitimate son. Rafe reveals to Theron all the pent up anger he's had over the years of being denied his rightful place as a Hunnicutt. To Rafe's surprise, Theron agrees and faces his father with his opinions about what Rafe deserves. Wade dismisses the idea with some very negative comments, which utterly disgraces Thereon. He moves out of the house and finds a job.

By the time Lilly returns home from college she finds a very different Theron than the young boy she fell in love with. There's no room in his angry heart for love, and his idea of family life has disintegrated. From there the story takes some surprisingly dark and at times very heartfelt and emotional turns.

Vincent Minnelli does a great job in directing this diverse group of actors, and was nominated for a Director's Guild award for the movie. His over all production - the sets, cinematography, editing, wardrobe - tell the story as much as the actors do through their character's attitudes and emotional arcs.

Mitchum was already an actor who had no problem portraying a macho, intimidating man. Hamilton gives Theron just the air of innocence that's required to motivate his actions. Parker is so steely as the icy Hannah, that even though we know she's been wronged, it's hard to like her character.

The talented Constance Ford (Opal Bixby) shows up in a scene with Theron trying to tempt him as his father is no longer paying her any attention. The real star performance in this movie, however, is that of George Peppard. He's a tough, grown up-by-the-seat-of-his-pants kid, who holds in his anger as a mistreated son and eventually turns it into being the exact kind of family man he never had.

The title of the film is taken from a poem, Home is the Sailor by A.E. Housman - Home From The Sea, And The Hunter home from the hill. Home From the Hill will appeal to anyone who enjoys a good drama and excellent performances by this cast.

Director: Vincente Minnelli

Writer: William Humphrey - novel, Harriet Frank Jr. and Irving Ravetch - screenplay

Cast Members: Robert Mitchum, George Hamilton, George Peppard, Eleanor Parker, Everett Sloane, Luana Patten

Rating: unrated - okay for over 16

Run Time: 150 minutes  

Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Format: Color, Widescreen

Photo credits: Warner Bros. Pictures