Wild River, in its preoccupation with the industrial period, in its mixture of patriotism, melodrama, and machines, resembles very closely the so called "tractor films" of Stalin's Russia.

Both sections of the flavorful, vernacular-filled screen play have been given professional treatment.

Shooting predominantly on location in Tennessee, Kazan makes evocative use of the mist that hangs over the river like a lingering regret.

It's an expansive work, distinguished by exceptional location photography, but, as ever, (Kazan's) focus is on complex interpersonal relationships.