A Place in the Sun (Blu-ray)

George Stevens’ adaptation of An American Tragedy became the 1951 Oscar winning film, A Place in the Sun. Starring Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, and Shelley Winters, Stevens’ film follows the modest rise and fall of a nephew to a highly successful industrialist. Clift plays George Eastman, a young man who ends up leading a double life, getting first involved with Alice Tripp, Winters character, a working class girl until he meets and falls madly in love with socialite Angela Vickers played effervescently by Taylor. The love triangle comes to a head one Labor Day at the Eastmans’ lake house. The story’s peppered with larger than life issues such as work ethic, honor, love, and betrayal, and even though the nearly 70 year-old film uses exaggerated melodrama to propel the story, the three leads continue to captivate guiding the film as it seeks a contemporary audience. I adore A Place in the Sun. The chemistry between Taylor and Clift feels real, reflecting their strong friendship. Thrilled to own this on Blu-ray thanks to Imprint from Australia who created an all-region version which can be played in North American players. 5 out of 5 for this gorgeous classic.

A Place in the Sun streams on CBS All Access and is also available on Blu-ray and DVD from your local library.