The Valley of Decision 1945

The Book That Thrilled Millions!

7.471 / 10   24 vote(s)
NR
Drama Romance

Mary Rafferty comes from a poor family of steel mill workers in 19th Century Pittsburgh. Her family objects when she goes to work as a maid for the wealthy Scott family which controls the mill. Mary catches the attention of handsome scion Paul Scott, but their romance is complicated by Paul's engagement to someone else and a bitter strike among the mill workers.

Release Date 1945-05-03
Runtime 1h 59m
Directors Joseph Ruttenberg, Tay Garnett, Marvin Stuart
Producer Edwin H. Knopf
Writers Sonya Levien, John Meehan, Marcia Davenport

Classic poor-girl-meets-rich-boy tearjerker. This very heavy-handed drama is well-acted by Greer Garson and Gregory Peck, with Lionel Barrymore and Donald Crisp heading a good supporting cast. The script is interesting, maybe a mite slowly paced at times, but with moments of humor as well. The tense, dramatic confrontation on the bridge is the most memorable scene in the film. This was only Gregory Peck's third film, having made his Hollywood debut a year earlier.

Would I recommend? Yes, sure. A good romance, with great actors. What's not to like?

barrymost