Year: 1958
Runtime: 118 mins
Language: English
Director: Anthony Mann
Set in the sweltering Georgia countryside of the 1950s, a destitute cotton farmer and his two sons dig for the treasure their grandfather allegedly buried on the family land. Their quest is plagued by crushing poverty, marital infidelity, joblessness and heavy drinking, each threatening to tear the family apart.
Get a spoiler-free look at God’s Little Acre (1958) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the relentless heat of 1950s Georgia, a cracked cotton field stretches beneath a sky that seems to press down on everything it touches. The land itself feels ancient, its stubborn soil holding memories of hard labor, relentless drought, and whispered legends of hidden wealth. Amid this unforgiving landscape, the promise of a buried treasure becomes a quiet obsession, turning the rhythm of everyday life into a slow, uneasy dance between hope and desperation.
Ty Ty Walden, a widower whose hands are as rough as the earth he tills, lives on the farm with his three children—Buck, the steady older son burdened with responsibility; Shaw, a younger brother still searching for his place; and Darlin’ Jill, a spirited daughter whose longing often outpaces her circumstances. Sharing their cramped home is Griselda, Buck’s wife, whose presence adds both comfort and tension to the household. The family’s ties reach beyond the fields: Rosamund, Ty Ty’s daughter, resides in the nearby mill town with her husband Will, while the more distant Jim Leslie has built a comfortable life as a cotton broker in Augusta, his wealth a reminder of what could have been.
The surrounding community mirrors the farm’s strain. Men line up at a shuttered cotton mill, their idle hands restless, while a charismatic newcomer, Pluto Swint, drifts into town with ambitions that could reshape local order. Whispers of infidelity, unpaid debts, and the ever‑present lure of gold stir the air, hinting at fractures already forming beneath the family’s fragile unity. Even the older generation, represented by figures like Uncle Felix, offers counsel that is as hard‑won as the soil itself.
Against this backdrop of scorching fields and lingering folklore, each character carries a quiet yearning—for prosperity, for redemption, for a future that might finally let them lay down their shovels. The promise of “God’s Little Acre” hangs over them like a distant mirage, a tantalizing possibility that could either bind them together or pull them apart, leaving the audience to wonder what the earth will ultimately demand.
Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 09:21
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Gritty dramas of families collapsing under poverty and obsession in isolated settings.If you liked the gritty family dynamics and oppressive rural setting of God’s Little Acre, explore more movies about families struggling against poverty, obsession, and infidelity in isolated worlds. These stories share a melancholic tone and earthy realism.
Narratives in this thread often follow a family unit fractured by an external pressure—like poverty or a shared delusion—and internal conflicts like infidelity and generational strife. The plot unfolds as the family's desperate attempts to escape their circumstances only tighten the grip of their situation, leading to dramatic confrontations and a bittersweet or bleak resolution.
Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the intense, often destructive dynamics within families trapped in rural or isolated environments. They share a gritty, earthy mood, a steady pace that builds tension, and themes of economic hardship and fractured relationships.
Character-driven stories where volatile desire leads to ruin and fragile redemption.For viewers who enjoyed the passionate turmoil and bittersweet conclusion of God’s Little Acre, this list features similar character-driven dramas. These films explore how desire and obsession lead to moral decline, ending on a poignant, ambiguous note.
The narrative pattern involves flawed, passionate characters making a series of escalating bad choices driven by desire, greed, or obsession. The plot is character-driven, with a steady pace that allows the consequences of these choices to accumulate, culminating in a dramatic crisis. The ending rarely offers full resolution, instead providing a bittersweet sense of lessons learned at a great cost.
These films are united by their focus on the destructive power of human passion, a steady pacing that allows for character depth, and a bittersweet emotional payoff. They balance moments of high drama with a overarching melancholic tone, creating a deeply resonant experience.
Don't stop at just watching — explore God’s Little Acre in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what God’s Little Acre is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of God’s Little Acre, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of God’s Little Acre with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape God’s Little Acre. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about God’s Little Acre: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like God’s Little Acre that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
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