It's 1918, the height of United States involvement in World War I - Liberty Bonds are sold, German immigrants are suspected as traitors or saboteurs, young men everywhere succumb to the patriotism and propaganda and enlist. In a small Texas town, Horace Robedaux feels the pressure - he doesn't want to leave his young wife Elizabeth and their young child Jenny - but Elizabeth's can't-do-anything-right little brother is constantly talking about the war, and Elizabeth's stern father, who opposed the marriage initially, now has plans to take care of his daughter and the child so Horace can fight for his country. However, the influenza epidemic sweeping the town (and the nation) may change everyone's plans.
Writing
Horton Foote's dialogue cuts like a knife through genteel Southern manners.
Acting
Hallie Foote embodies trapped womanhood with devastating restraint.
Director
Ken Harrison
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Part of Horton Foote's 'Orphans' Home' cycle, drawn from his own family's Texas history—this is basically his grandparents' marriage under a microscope.
Matthew Broderick filmed this between WarGames and Ferris Bueller, playing the annoying brother—a role he basically never touched again.
US
