Movie

Desire Under the Elms

1958 · 111 min

A heavy, brooding tragedy of lust and greed that builds slowly toward a shocking, sorrowful climax.

Overview: Ephraim Cabot is an old man of amazing vitality who loves his New England farm with a greedy passion. Hating him, and sharing his greed, are the sons of two wives Cabot has overworked into early graves. Most bitter is Eben, whose mother had owned most of the farm, and who feels who should be sole heir. When the old man brings home a new wife, Anna, she becomes a fierce contender to inherit the farm. Two of the sons leave when Eben gives them the fare in return for their shares of the farm. Meanwhile, Anna tries to cause some sparks by rubbing up against Eben.
How it feels: Dark, bleak, melancholic and tense. Slow-burning and needs your attention.
About: Greed, obsession, family, betrayal
Content: Mild violence, gore and sexual content. No swearing.
Note: Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Written by AI. It can be wrong.

Full breakdown

Tone: darkstrength 3 of 3
bleakstrength 2 of 3
melancholicstrength 2 of 3
tensestrength 2 of 3
Pacing: slow-burn, 1 of 4, from slow-burn to relentless
Attention: engaged, 3 of 4, from background-friendly to demanding
Themes: greed
obsession
family
betrayal
guilt
Places: countryside
single country house
Era: period
Audience: adult
Form: true story
Content intensity: Gore mild
Language none
Violence mild
Sex mild