Home From the Hill (1960)

100% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
83% of users liked it
(435 ratings)

William Humphrey's novel Home From the Hill is compressed into 150 minutes for this MGM all-starrer. Robert Mitchum plays Capt. Wade Hunnicutt, a Texas millionaire, married to Hannah (Eleanor Parker). The Hunnicutts have two children of approximately the same age: Wade's biological son, Theron… More William Humphrey's novel Home From the Hill is compressed into 150 minutes for this MGM all-starrer. Robert Mitchum plays Capt. Wade Hunnicutt, a Texas millionaire, married to Hannah (Eleanor Parker). The Hunnicutts have two children of approximately the same age: Wade's biological son, Theron (George Hamilton in one of his earliest film roles), and his illegitimate son, Rafe (George Peppard). As the story opens, Wade conducts an extramarital affair; meanwhile, Theron (George Hamilton), disturbed by his parents' dysfunctional relationship, is not anxious to marry his true love, Libby Halstead (Luana Patten). The vicious cycle threatens to continue when Libby gives birth to Theron's out-of-wedlock son, but it is Rafe who turns Libby into an "honest woman" by acting as father to the child. Vincente Minnelli directs his material operatically, which is as it should be given the larger-than-life character and emotional entanglements he has to deal with. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Vincente Minnelli
Written By: Frank Harriet,
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: May 19, 1960 Wide
On DVD: Jan 23, 2007

Critic Reviews

Paul Brenner, Filmcritic.com
Minnelli pulls back the stinky underbelly of this Texan-hell family in all his scope splendor
Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Powerful look at male roles, showing innovative approaches to story telling.
Diana Saenger, ReviewExpress.com
A great drama enhanced by the terrific performances of Robert Mitchum, George Hamilton, George Peppard and Eleanor Parker.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...just entertaining enough to warrant a mild recommendation.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Along with Some Came Running, it ranks as Minnelli's finest family melodrama, lurid and flamboyant yet also deeply emotional and incisive in its critique of the patriarchal order; Robert Mitchum as the patriarch is superb.

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Walter M

"Home from the Hill" starts with Rafe(George Peppard) saving the life of his boss, Captain Wade Hunnicutt(Robert Mitchum), when he is shot by a wronged husband. Even after that, Wade is not even sure which husband exactly, as Rafe would like material compensation for his… More
"Home from the Hill" starts with Rafe(George Peppard) saving the life of his boss, Captain Wade Hunnicutt(Robert Mitchum), when he is shot by a wronged husband. Even after that, Wade is not even sure which husband exactly, as Rafe would like material compensation for his act of heroism but is turned down flat. Wade's son Theron(George Hamilton) is 17 and is only old enough to hunt snipe but his father feels it is time to change that. Amazingly enough, Theron takes to hunting and is a fine shot but his mother Hannah(Eleanor Parker) is angry at Wade because she had been promised to be put in charge of raising her son. Then, the wild boar shows up which Wade thinks would perfect for his son to hunt... Directed by Vincente Minnelli, "Home from the Hill" is an engaging and epic soap opera that subtly dismantles the idea of the perfect patriarch. With very little sanctimony, the movie says there is more to being a man than bedding women and hunting, of which responsibility is a huge part. And there is nothing wrong with Theron being as learned as he is, but then this is Texas where men are real men, women are real women, and I don't have to remind you about the sheep, do I? Speaking of masculinity, Robert Mitchum is perfectly cast in the lead, while some of the other acting might seem a little off in retrospect.