Raintree County
In mid-19th-century Freehaven, Raintree County, Indiana, John Wickliff Shawnessy (Montgomery Clift) has just graduated from high school at the top of his class, with a promising career as a writer. He is a romantic, principled idealist, believing the story of the golden raintree after which the county is named growing somewhere, most likely in the county's swamp area, searching for it because locating it would provide all the answers to life's questions--an idea passed down from his father. John also has a strong sense of place as belonging, and there is much anticipation in the probable marriage between him and his sweetheart Nell Gaither (Eva Marie Saint), a born-and-bred Raintree girl. However, there is an undeniable mutual attraction on first sight between him and Susanna Drake (Dame Elizabeth Taylor), a visiting southern belle. Despite Susanna's temporary stay in Raintree County suggesting that she and John have a limited future, they eventually do marry out of circumstance, leaving behind a heartbroken Nell. As their relationship progresses, differences in their outlooks mirroring the differences between the north and the south emerge and charge to to the forefront, both personally and on a global level with the onset of the American Civil War. Their relationship issues are also exacerbated by secrets, both facts and beliefs, Susanna is keeping about her family history, including her parents and her Black nanny being killed in a mysterious house fire when she was a child.
Working with a small-scale budget of $5.5M, the film achieved a steady performer with $9.1M in global revenue (+66% profit margin).
Nominated for 4 Oscars. 1 win & 8 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Raintree County (1957) exemplifies carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of Edward Dmytryk's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 3 hours and 8 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.7, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes July 4th, 1859 celebration in Raintree County, Indiana. John Shawnessy, an idealistic young teacher and aspiring writer, lives in pastoral harmony, embodying the innocence and optimism of pre-Civil War America.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 24 minutes when Susanna Drake, a beautiful and mysterious Southern belle, arrives from New Orleans. Her entrance disrupts John's stable world and draws him away from Nell and his established life path.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 47 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to John marries Susanna after she claims to be pregnant. This irreversible decision binds him to her and takes him away from his idealized life in Raintree County, launching him into a darker journey., moving from reaction to action.
At 94 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat The Civil War fully erupts. John enlists in the Union Army, leaving his troubled marriage. What seems like an escape becomes a journey into greater violence and disillusionment. Stakes are raised to life and death., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 141 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Susanna, in her madness, attempts to drown their son, believing he carries cursed blood. She disappears, leaving John with the trauma of nearly losing his child and the complete collapse of his romantic ideals., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 150 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. John finds Susanna and confronts the truth about her past and psychological torment. Understanding and compassion replace his illusions, allowing him to see clearly and choose forgiveness over abandonment., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Raintree County's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Raintree County against these established plot points, we can identify how Edward Dmytryk utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Raintree County within the drama genre.
Edward Dmytryk's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Edward Dmytryk films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Raintree County represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Edward Dmytryk filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include Eye for an Eye, South Pacific and Kiss of the Spider Woman. For more Edward Dmytryk analyses, see The Caine Mutiny, The Carpetbaggers.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
July 4th, 1859 celebration in Raintree County, Indiana. John Shawnessy, an idealistic young teacher and aspiring writer, lives in pastoral harmony, embodying the innocence and optimism of pre-Civil War America.
Theme
Discussion about the mythical Raintree and what one must sacrifice to find it. The search for an ideal versus the acceptance of reality is established as the central thematic question.
Worldbuilding
Introduction of John's world: his relationship with Nell Gaither, his teaching career, his dreams of becoming a great writer, and the idyllic community of Raintree County on the eve of national crisis.
Disruption
Susanna Drake, a beautiful and mysterious Southern belle, arrives from New Orleans. Her entrance disrupts John's stable world and draws him away from Nell and his established life path.
Resistance
John is torn between Nell (representing stability and his ideals) and Susanna (representing passion and the unknown). Warnings about Susanna's troubled background emerge. John debates his choice.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
John marries Susanna after she claims to be pregnant. This irreversible decision binds him to her and takes him away from his idealized life in Raintree County, launching him into a darker journey.
Mirror World
Susanna's psychological instability becomes apparent. Her fears about her mother's rumored madness and mixed-race heritage surface, creating a relationship that mirrors and explores the theme of idealism versus harsh reality.
Premise
The exploration of John and Susanna's troubled marriage set against the growing national crisis. John attempts to reconcile his ideals with his difficult reality while the Civil War begins.
Midpoint
The Civil War fully erupts. John enlists in the Union Army, leaving his troubled marriage. What seems like an escape becomes a journey into greater violence and disillusionment. Stakes are raised to life and death.
Opposition
John experiences the brutality of war while Susanna's mental state deteriorates. The conflict intensifies on both fronts—the external battle and the internal struggle. John's idealism is tested by carnage and loss.
Collapse
Susanna, in her madness, attempts to drown their son, believing he carries cursed blood. She disappears, leaving John with the trauma of nearly losing his child and the complete collapse of his romantic ideals.
Crisis
John faces his darkest moment, processing the destruction of his marriage, the near-death of his son, and the loss of his youthful idealism. He must reconcile who he was with who he has become.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
John finds Susanna and confronts the truth about her past and psychological torment. Understanding and compassion replace his illusions, allowing him to see clearly and choose forgiveness over abandonment.
Synthesis
John attempts to help Susanna and rebuild their lives. He reconciles his dreams with reality, accepting that the mythical Raintree County exists not as a perfect place but in the human capacity for endurance and compassion.
Transformation
Return to July 4th celebration, now years later. John, weathered but wiser, has abandoned his naive idealism but retained his humanity. He stands in the same place transformed—no longer seeking perfection but accepting flawed reality.