Widowed Elinor Randall and her young daughter Jerrine arrive in a barren stretch of Wyoming in 1910 after Elinor's application for work as a housekeeper is accepted by Clyde Stewart, a rancher. The work is back-breaking and the isolation is brutal, particularly as winter arrives. Elinor begins to think about homesteading her own property near Stewart's ranch, but Stewart tries to dissuade her with explanations about the killing conditions and poor rewards, especially for a woman with no man to help her ranch. Although their temperaments are different and little affection exists, Elinor and Stewart agree to marry and combine homesteads. What lies ahead is the severest test of all.
Cinematography
Bleak Wyoming landscapes that actively hate the characters.
Acting
Conchata Ferrell's silent resilience; Rip Torn's craggy isolation.
Director
Richard Pearce
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on Elinore Pruitt Stewart's actual 1914 letters; she was a real homesteader who wrote to prove women could ranch alone.
Director Richard Pearce shot this right after working with Martin Scorsese—explains the unflinching brutality of ordinary life.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
