Swamp Water (1941)
Jean Renoir's first American film plunges into the Georgia wilderness, weaving crime, romance, and Southern Gothic atmosphere into a compelling 1941 drama.
Swamp Water - Movie Information
- Original Title: Swamp Water
- Release Year: 1941
- Directed by: Jean Renoir
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Crime, Drama
- Runtime: 1h 30m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 16, 1941 (United States)
- Alternative Titles: L'étang tragique (FR)
- Production Companies: 20th Century Fox
- Production Countries: United States of America
Swamp Water - Plot
A hunter happens upon a fugitive and his daughter living in a Georgia swamp. He falls in love with the girl and persuades the fugitive to return to town.
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Swamp Water - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Jean Renoir
Main Cast
- Dana Andrews
- Walter Huston
- Anne Baxter
- Walter Brennan
- Mary Howard
- Virginia Gilmore
- John Carradine
- Ward Bond
- Matt Willis
- Eugene Pallette
Writers
- Dudley Nichols
Producers
- Irving Pichel
Swamp Water - FAQs
What is Swamp Water about?
Swamp Water is a 1941 crime drama set in the Georgia Okefenokee Swamp. A young hunter stumbles upon a fugitive named Tom Keefer and his daughter Julie living in hiding. He falls in love with Julie and eventually persuades Keefer to return to civilization to clear his name.
Who directed Swamp Water?
Swamp Water was directed by Jean Renoir, the celebrated French filmmaker making his first American production. Renoir brought a distinctly European sensibility to this Southern Gothic tale, blending atmospheric location work with character-driven drama in a style that set it apart from typical Hollywood genre fare of the era.
Who are the main actors in Swamp Water?
The film stars Dana Andrews as Ben Ragan, Walter Huston as Thursday Ragan, Anne Baxter as Julie Keefer, and Walter Brennan as fugitive Tom Keefer. The supporting cast includes Mary Howard, Virginia Gilmore, John Carradine, Ward Bond, Matt Willis, and Eugene Pallette.
Was Swamp Water Jean Renoir's first American film?
Yes, Swamp Water was Jean Renoir's first Hollywood production after fleeing Europe during World War II. The French master director was brought to 20th Century Fox by Darryl F. Zanuck. Despite creative tensions with the studio, Renoir's European artistry is evident throughout the film's atmospheric storytelling.
Is Swamp Water based on a true story?
Swamp Water is not based on a true story. It is adapted from a serialized novel by Vereen Bell, which was published in The Saturday Evening Post in 1940. Screenwriter Dudley Nichols adapted the story for the screen, preserving its Southern Gothic atmosphere and the Okefenokee Swamp setting.
Where was Swamp Water filmed?
Swamp Water was filmed on location at the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia, which was a relatively unusual choice for Hollywood productions of the era. Jean Renoir insisted on authentic location shooting to capture the swamp's genuine atmosphere, though some studio work was also completed at 20th Century Fox in California.
What genre is Swamp Water?
Swamp Water is classified as a Crime Drama. It blends elements of Southern Gothic storytelling with a fugitive thriller narrative and a romantic subplot. The film's moody, atmospheric treatment of the Okefenokee Swamp gives it a distinctive noir-adjacent quality unusual for its 1941 release date.
How long is Swamp Water?
Swamp Water has a runtime of 90 minutes, making it a briskly paced film that balances its atmospheric swamp setting with the unfolding drama of a fugitive's hidden life, a young man's romantic awakening, and the tensions of a small Southern community confronting secrets and injustice.
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