The Valley of Decision (1945)

Too much of everything

Absolutely Brilliant!

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

"The Valley of Decision" (1945) stars two of Hollywood's finest actors; Greer Garson and Gregory Peck. There are some impressive supporting players as well - unfortunately that is about all it has. Garson stars as a working class Irish woman who goes to work for the wealthy Scott family - all of them are tied to the steel mill, circa late 1800's Pittsburgh. Garson's father (Lionel Barrymore, in a cantankerous performance) has been disabled by the steel mill, blaming the wealthy Scotts. Garson begins to fall in love with one of the Scott sons (a young Gregory Peck). Needless to say, class distinctions keep them apart and then there is a strike at the mill, leading to disaster, and on and on. The movie is primarily hampered by the lack of chemistry between its two main stars. Garson was already 40-ish when she played this role, Peck about 29. Besides the age thing, the two just do not seem to fit together. Garson gives a game effort here, but Peck seems like he would rather be elsewhere. The story at times drags, and much of it is predictable and flat. Gladys Cooper does give a good performance as the loving and kind Mrs. Scott, as does Donald Crisp as the fair-minded and decent Mr. Scott. And there are a few others - Jessica Tandy plays a young snotty society girl who marries Peck and then regrets it. But all of these are not enough to raise this film above anything more than ordinary. It is not remembered as a classic nor should it be. Fortunately, Garson and Peck will be remembered for much better films.

This movie is a treasure. Gregory Peck is a real man who falls in love with a feminine woman. Their chemistry comes through the screen. If you love romance, the old fashioned way, you will love this flick. This film is one of those epic stories chopped down into something you can simply enjoy in one evening. The cast of characters are fabulous with Donald Crisp, John Barrymore, Greer Garson, Geregory Peck, and so many other outstanding character actors. If you are in the mood for a story with characters who stand for their beliefs and work hard at maintaining the American dream, this movie does not disappoint. Although Greer Garson is much older in reality than Gregory Peck's 25 years the black and white screen does not give it away and their romance is very believable.

This MGM 1945 drama brought Greer Garson and Gregory Peck together for the first and only time. They make a terrific acting pair, at the peak of their careers, and ignite the screen with passionate intensity. Filmed in black and white it tells the story of the dispute between a steel manufacturer and the men that work in the mill. Miss Garson plays a pretty maid who takes a job in the lavish home of Pittsburgh steel magnate, wonderfully played by veteran actor Donald Crisp. Peck plays one of his sons, devoted to his father's mill who works diligently alongside some of the mill workers, notably Preston Foster, to bring a newer more modern way of producing better steel. Crisp has two other sons; Dan Duryea, a bit more greedy for the money rather than the work and Marshall Thompson as the youngest son, who tends to drink away his carefree lifestyle. There is also a daughter played by the talented Marsha Hunt in one of her best performances and certainly worthy of a supporting Oscar nomination. By the way Greer did get a Best Actress nomination for this.The distinguished Gladys Cooper plays the matriarch of the family and befriends Greer, leaving her share of the mill. Trouble brews among Greer's family when her father, played by another veteran, Lionel Barrymore, an embittered man having lost the use of his legs in an accident in the mill, stirs up violence that has tragic consequences.Jessica Tandy also gives a dynamic performance as Peck's wife and look for a very young Dean Stockwell as their son. If you like big stars and excellent featured actors along with a compelling story, this is a film for you. Directed by Tay Garnett.

Yes, this film is a melodrama, and if you're not in the mind-set, it will drag and drop you into a resounding 'uggh'. But, if you can place yourself in the era in which the film was made, it's a feisty, rallying film about industrial discovery and labor, with all the excitement of 'How Green Was My Valley." Cast beautifully, with Garson stretching into a scullery maid role (true, she doesn't look the part, but her heart's in it), and Peck from a rich family, yet a mediator who crosses caste lines, it's well worth watching for the revelation-style ending alone. Get both titles and be inspired!