This Earth Is Mine

The story of the wine-making Rambeau family during Prohibition sounds like an amazing premise for a movie. Unfortunately, it degenerates into a flat, soap-operatic and trite tale of an over-privileged dynasty. It's hard to develop any sympathy for the characters, the acting and dialogue are stiff, and the story unfolds with all the gusto of watching wine ferment. If this was champagne, it would have been born flat.

Nice photography, but this is dull stuff. For a start, it is difficult to take seriously when you learn that the family name is Rambeau, (pronounced, of course, Rambo) and that Hudson's character is John Rambo, sorry, Rambeau! In any case it is impossible to have any sympathy with any of the characters is this. How can we give a damn about Hudson's character when he condones intimidation and torture in order to get his way. This whole episode is simply swept under the carpet and we are supposed to care whether Hudson and Simmons get together. I hope this doesn't sound like sour grapes, but the movie is definitely corked.

If the director and other participants had done as well as Rock Hudson to make a good story out of this, it would have been a real success. Had forgotten just how handsome and talented he was. Sure do miss special actors like Mr. Hudson. Saw this movie last night, 5/9/02, and enjoyed it. Even if it was mediocre, it was far better than the trash filmed today.

This is a most attractive movie featuring a stunning cast.It has a haunting quality that left me thinking and wanting to view it again.Jean Simmons and Dorothy McGuire play their parts with absolute conviction and both ladies look lovely too.Claude Rains is superb and Rock Hudson gives a star performance in a challenging role.I love so many films made at Universal in the late 50's and early 60's;nice photography,costumes,make-up,hair etc. David Allen (New Zealand)

It looks like it was posted on you tube by Universal as their name appears in the bottom left hand corner. It is the full Cinemascope version and beautiful color. Excellent cast with names to remember. I have not seen this for many, many years but have been looking for it constantly. Now thanks, hopefully to Universal it is available for all to see again. Locations in the Napa Valley give absolute realism to the production.