The River

The River

Year: 1984

Runtime: 122 mins

Language: English

Director: Mark Rydell

Drama

Tom and Mae Garvey are a Tennessee farming couple fighting relentless floods that threaten their land. As the water rises, they also battle a greedy developer and a corporation seeking to foreclose. Mae stays home caring for their children and crops, while Tom takes a scab job at a steel mill to keep the farm in the family.

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Timeline – The River (1984)

Trace every key event in The River (1984) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Hard times hit the Garvey farm

Tom and Mae struggle as the local economy sours and land prices fall. Their land along the river is prone to flooding, increasing the risk of foreclosure. The couple clings to the hope of keeping their ancestral home.

East Tennessee farm
2

Joe Wade's bid to control the river properties

Wade manipulates local power to buy up properties along the river to build a dam. The dam would generate electricity and provide irrigation for farms away from the river. His plans threaten the Garveys and their neighbors.

River valley
3

Tom takes a factory job to save the farm

Tom takes a steel factory job to avert foreclosure. He discovers he is a strikebreaker as he crosses the picket lines, facing difficult working conditions and meager pay. The new life in the city highlights the distance from home.

City factory
4

Mae's farm accident

Mae suffers a serious accident on the farm, losing a lot of blood and nearly losing her arm. The incident tests the family's resilience and shows the dangers of rural life. She receives medical care after the ordeal.

Farm
5

The family visits the city and compares lives

Tom invites the rest of the family to visit him in the city to see how life differs from the farm. The visit reveals the harsh realities on both sides and the strain of separation. They gain new perspective on their shared hardships.

City
6

Strike ends; crossing the picket lines remains tense

The strike ends and returning workers must walk out without the protections they had when entering. Instead of a direct fight, workers and scabs observe one another, and mutual desperation leads to shame and wary quiet.

Factory town
7

Wade inspects Tom's corn and offers a low price

Wade has Tom's corn inspected and offers less than the cost of planting and tending it. The offer triggers a confrontation about the dam and redevelopment plans that would reshape the land. Tom realizes the full extent of Wade's ambitions.

Farm
8

Confrontation and the looming flood

Tom confronts Wade over the dam and land redevelopment while his farm's machinery falters. A new flood threat looms, underscoring the fragility of the Garveys' situation. The tension sharpens as the future of the farm hangs in the balance.

Farm
9

Mae challenges Tom's stubborn fight

Mae finally confronts Tom about his stubborn fight to hold on to the land, urging him to consider the wellbeing of the family and community. Her plea reveals the weariness behind his determined stance. The couple's disagreement highlights the personal toll of the struggle.

Farm
10

The levee is built by the community

The farming community bands together to build a levee, offering relief against the river and a symbol of shared resilience. Neighbors contribute time, hands, and hope to protect everyone’s livelihoods. The levee represents collective resistance to Wade's schemes.

Riverbank/Farm
11

Wade sabotages the levee and shifts the leverage

Wade arrives with bankrupt farmers, trying to dismantle the levee for cash. He offers a bonus to those who sabotage it, turning the crisis into a test of loyalty. The community's solidarity is put to the test.

Levee site
12

The flood breaches the levee; Tom acts heroically

The levee is breached and floodwaters rush in, threatening the Garveys' home. Tom begins to shovel sandbags, refusing to yield, and his family and onlookers rally to help. His steadfast effort turns into a communal act of defiance against the flood.

Levee site
13

Harvest victory and uneasy peace

Despite the devastation and Wade's attempts, the harvest is eventually successful. Wade acknowledges Tom's determination and, in his own way, concedes that nature will eventually prevail. The community celebrates a hard-won survival.

Farm

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:21

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