Home from the Hill (1960) – full review!

This big sprawling beautifully shot epic drama with credible acting features early performances by two young actors (with the same first name) that would go on to make names for themselves – George Peppard and George Hamilton. It was directed by Vincente Minnelli (Gigi (1958)) and features a screenplay by Harriet Frank Jr. and Irving Ravetch that recalls their later Academy Award nominated effort Hud (1963) though this film’s screenplay was based on a William Humphrey novel. The story’s about a hunter dubbed Captain Wade Hunnicutt (Robert Mitchum) who owns most of the land and a significant chunk of a rural Texas community such that he’s able to do what he pleases. However his extramarital exploits have powerfully affected and continue to influence his relationship with his wife Hannah (Eleanor Parker) and his two sons: the illegitimate one he allows to live on his vast property Raphael ‘Rafe’ Copley (Peppard) and the one he had with Hannah Theron (Hamilton) who thinks he’s an only son until half way through the drama.

As is later revealed when Wade and Hannah returned home from their European honeymoon cruise five year old Rafe was there with his mother the boy being the product of an earlier dalliance by Wade. Hannah was so enraged that she cut off marital relations with her husband. Since she was already pregnant she stayed; when she gave birth to a son Wade promised her that she could raise Theron without interference if she’d continue to live under the same roof. He also refused to publicly recognize Rafe as his son though he allowed the young man to live on his acreage when his mother died. Over the years Rafe became the Captain’s keeper of sorts a hunting buddy that would retrieve the old man from various places after his affairs and/or drunken binges. Once Theron turned seventeen Wade was ashamed of his mamma’s boy that could be fooled into going on an all-night snipe hunt by local men (Denver Pyle Guinn ‘Big Boy’ Williams and others uncredited) that looked up to the Captain their landlord. Wade decided it was time to make a man out of Theron that the boy was his too. He delivered this speech to his son:

“I had something from my father that his father gave to him I’m gonna give it to you. It’s late but it’s not too late. You know one of these days I’m gonna die Theron. You’re gonna come into 40000 acres of land: cotton beef goats timber … takes a special kind of man to handle that. Kind of man that walks around with nothing in his pockets no identification because everyone knows who you are. No cash because anyone in town would be happy to lend you anything you need. No keys ’cause you don’t keep a lock on a single thing you own. And no watch because time waits on you. What I’m saying is you’re gonna have to stand up and be counted. You’re gonna be known in these parts as a man or as a momma’s boy.”

Wade then asked Rafe to teach Theron how to shoot and hunt and the two became close like the half brothers they were though Theron was still unawares of the blood relationship. Theron was also clueless about his father’s womanizing reputation so he is stunned by the harsh negative reaction of a local merchant Albert Halstead (Everett Sloane) whose daughter Libby (Luana Patten) he wants to date. In time Theron learns these truths and is outraged by them both. The first causes him to move out and get a job in a cotton packing plant promising his father to return only when he recognizes Rafe as his son and heir. The realization of his parents situation causes him to discard his relationship with Libby shortly after their “first time” and swear off marriage. But there’s a symmetry to the story the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree Libby got pregnant by Theron but doesn’t tell him refusing to “throw herself” at him. Rafe then bails Wade’s son out by marrying Libby and legitimizing her son. Later it’s clear that they’ll live happily ever after.

Unaware that Libby’s son is his own Theron eyes his friends’ marriage enviously. He’d moved back home because of his mother’s failing health per his absence but his sullen listless daily life brings his parents together. They discuss their lives admit their mistakes to one another – this includes his straying induced by her locked bedroom and their mutual bad parenting – and agree to attempt a reconciliation for their son’s sake. After making plans to start over with another European cruise Hannah leaves Wade’s office in hopeful spirits. As he’s having a drink to celebrate their pending future Wade is shot by an unseen person (the film had begun with Rafe saving Wade from a fatal shot by an irate 4-month married husband; Ray Teal plays the family physician). Butler Chauncey (Ken Renard) who’d apparently filled Rafe’s role earlier in the Captain’s life bends over Wade’s body while Hannah is in shock. Theron rushes to get Rafe per his father’s request and then fights his brother to pursue the killer. He catches up to the man and shoots him (in what could later be called self defense). It’s Albert who’d earlier heard gossip among Wade’s friends that had made him believe that the Captain was responsible for his daughter’s child per its familiar appearance. Albert had earlier tried to extort a shotgun wedding for Libby with Theron when he’d believed Wade’s son was the responsible party. Theron decides to leave town. In the final scene Hannah shows Rafe that Wade’s headstone recognizes both sons; Rafe had apparently visited Hannah regularly when she’d broken down after Wade’s death.

Purchase this DVD now at

or purchase this movie’s soundtrack now at