Watch The Romance of Rosy Ridge

The Romance of Rosy Ridge is a 1947 American drama directed by Roy Rowland and starring Van Johnson, Thomas Mitchell, and Janet Leigh. Johnson plays a young Union soldier named Henry Carson who returns to his hometown of Rosy Ridge, Tennessee, at the end of the Civil War to find it in ruins. His mother has died, his brother has been killed in the war, and his father, Gill MacBean (Mitchell), is a bitter man who blames the Union army for all his troubles.

As Henry tries to rebuild his life, he meets a young woman named Lissy Anne MacBean (Leigh), who is fiercely loyal to her family and protective of her younger brother, Andrew. She is also secretly in love with Henry, although she resents the fact that he fought for the Union army that caused so much pain and suffering for her family.

Despite their differences and the animosity between their families, Henry and Lissy Anne begin to fall in love. However, their relationship is threatened by the deep-seated hatred and prejudice that still exists in Rosy Ridge, especially on the part of Gill MacBean and his cronies, who will stop at nothing to protect their way of life.

The Romance of Rosy Ridge is a beautifully crafted film that captures the atmosphere and mood of post-war America with great sensitivity and authenticity. The scenery and landscapes of rural Tennessee are breathtaking, and the cinematography by Robert Surtees is masterful in its use of light and shadow to create a sense of nostalgia and longing.

The performances by the cast are excellent, particularly Van Johnson and Janet Leigh, who have a wonderful chemistry on screen. Johnson portrays Henry Carson with great sensitivity and depth, conveying both the trauma of war and the hope of a new beginning with conviction and nuance. Leigh, on the other hand, gives a nuanced and powerful performance as Lissy Anne, a woman torn between her loyalty to her family and her love for Henry.

Thomas Mitchell is equally remarkable in his portrayal of Gill MacBean, an embittered man who has lost everything he held dear and is determined to hold onto the remnants of his past at any cost. Mitchell brings a depth and complexity to the character that makes him both sympathetic and repulsive, a tragic figure trapped by his own anger and hatred.

Overall, The Romance of Rosy Ridge is a deeply moving and emotionally resonant film that explores themes of love, loyalty, and forgiveness in a time of great upheaval and change. Its timeless message about the power of love to overcome hate and prejudice is as relevant today as it was back in 1947, and its subtle and nuanced portrayal of post-war America is a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of its director, cast, and crew.

The Romance of Rosy Ridge is a 1947 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.