A Place in the Sun

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2:37

A Place in the Sun

1951

2h 2m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

73 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

In this classic version of Theodore Dreiser's novel "An American Tragedy," George Eastman (Montgomery Clift), the nephew of a wealthy industrialist, is excluded from high society and given a blue-collar job at his uncle's factory. While ascending the ranks of the company, George becomes romantically involved with co-worker Alice Tripp (Shelley Winters). However, when he is introduced to socialite Angela Vickers (Elizabeth Taylor), he quickly falls for her, leading to a tragic love triangle.

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Critics Consensus

Director George Stevens' stately treatment of A Place in the Sun buffs out some of the novel's nuance with blunt moralizing, but riveting performances by Montgomery Clift and company give the drama a bruising punch.

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Audience Says

Rejoice and bask in A Place in the Sun, starring Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor at their finest -- a true glittering gem from Golden Age Hollywood.

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Kate Cameron

New York Daily News

Jan 13

3.5/4

It is an artfully made film.

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Mildred Stockard

Houston Chronicle

Jan 13

...the story has been given a stellar cast, headed by Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor and Shelly Winters, a trio of outstanding young Hollywood stars.

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Guardian Staff

Guardian

Jan 13

George Stevens' film contains no perceptible social message and only a superficial concern with Dreiser's problem of guilt and innocence.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Jan 14

3.5/4

A first-rate motion picture that ably mixes romance and murder against a backdrop of social jockeying among the classes.

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Craig Williams

CineVue

Jan 13

5/5

While the romance is indeed achingly beautiful and played out with remarkable maturity, A Place in the Sun’s searing indictment of the American Dream, tinged with both anger and regret, makes it one of the best films to come out of 50s Hollywood.

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Sarah Cronin

Electric Sheep

Jan 13

With some excellent performances, and William C. Mellor’s gorgeous black and white cinematography, Stevens crafted a compelling, textured film that is much richer than a searing on-screen romance.

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Adm

2d

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Bookies B

@BookiesBeat Jan 27

The director made Shelley Winters' character, Alice Tripp, deliberately unattractive and irritating so as to overemphasise Elizabeth Taylor's character, Angela Vickers, and her nepotistic lifestyle as something desirable and worthy for George, thus manipulating the audience to feel sorry for the villain rather than empathising with the victim.

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Theo E

Aug 30

A Haiku Review: Dramatic irony Is streaked all the way through this Tragic love story

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Merick H

02/07/2024

I loved this film. I might be a bit biased, seeing as though it is based on one of my favorite novels and I came into it with the preexisting knowledge of the character's backstory, much of which could not be included in the film. With that being said, I thought the film was beautifully executed with some excellent suspense and great moments of tension. The acting was strong and it is a compelling story with interesting themes. I enjoyed it very much.

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Alec B

@Alec97 01/09/2024

In many ways the movie is typical melodrama of its era, however George Stevens' direction and the editing are anything but. Also, there's no real moral center of the story which only enhances the tension.

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CodyZamboni

@CodyZamboni 02/27/2023

Tragic soap opera, stunningly photographed, and well acted by Elizabeth Taylor, and Montgomery Clift. in probably his best performance. Taylor has never looked more beautiful onscreen. Movie's plot fuel are Clift's angst ridden life choices about faithfulness, versus the pursuit of happiness.

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George Stevens

Director

Montgomery Clift

George Eastman

Elizabeth Taylor

Angela Vickers

Shelley Winters

Alice Tripp

Keefe Brasselle

Earl Eastman

Raymond Burr

Frank Marlowe

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A Place in the Sun: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In this classic version of Theodore Dreiser's novel "An American Tragedy," George Eastman (Montgomery Clift), the nephew of a wealthy industrialist, is excluded from high society and given a blue-collar job at his uncle's factory. While ascending the ranks of the company, George becomes romantically involved with co-worker Alice Tripp (Shelley Winters). However, when he is introduced to socialite Angela Vickers (Elizabeth Taylor), he quickly falls for her, leading to a tragic love triangle.

Director: George Stevens
Producer: George Stevens
Screenwriter: Theodore Dreiser, Patrick Kearney, Michael Wilson, Harry Brown
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 28, 1951, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 6, 2014
Runtime: 2h 2m

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