Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread is an iconic film directed by the legendary King Vidor, released in 1934 and produced by Vidor and Joseph M. Schenck. The movie presents the societal issues that arose amid the Great Depression era to the forefront while incorporating a blend of drama and romance, showing the life during the years of scarcity and hardship.

The captivating drama starring a versatile cast, including Karen Morley, Tom Keene, and Barbara Pepper, primarily revolves around the epic tale of an urban couple who try to escape the clutches of the economic crisis which has left the country in disarray. The film communicates Vidor's personal vision and passion of showcasing the gritty and realistic portrayal of the common man's life during the Great Depression years.

The movie follows the leads, the married couple John and Mary Sims (played remarkably by Tom Keene and Karen Morley), who find themselves knee-deep in the adversities of the city life, battling unemployment, mounting debts and the escalating menace of their evictive landowner. Hence, seizing an opportunity to start afresh away from the city struggles, they move to a dilapidated farm owned by Mary's relative, hoping to transform their future and ensure their survival.

With a resolve to rebuild their lives from scratch, they engage in hard manual labor, farming their land for sustenance. They soon realize the enormity of the task they have undertaken, grappling with the harsh realities of agricultural life, and understanding that survival requires more than just determination – it requires community.

In their journey, they befriend a vivid assortment of characters, with each character representing different aspects of society during that time. This could be the weary old man who brings wisdom or the extravagant city-girl, who exudes charm and brings a refreshing change in the otherwise strenuous environment. Barbara Pepper delivers a notable performance in this role, carving an indelible mark on the audience.

In the face of adversity, John and Mary’s growing community engages in mutual cooperation, sharing the work, the harvest, and supporting each other to establish an effective communal farming system. An essential part of the film's narrative is the portrayal of this collective living, wherein there is no individual ownership, but everything belongs to everyone, a thought-provoking vision that contrasts starkly with competitive individualist capitalism of the city life they had escaped.

Throughout the narrative, the film engages with the notion of 'Our Daily Bread,' which symbolizes not just literal food but metaphorically embodies the spirit of cooperation, hard work, sacrifice and community living. The characters' struggle for their daily bread is poignantly portrayed, painting a moving image of the human condition during one of the most challenging periods in American history.

The director, King Vidor, succeeds in painting an authentic cinematic representation of depression-era America through this film. The various plot threads are skillfully woven together to create a comprehensive tapestry of life during this time, showing both its darkness and its hope.

Technical aspects of the film, such as cinematography and editing, also shine throughout, capturing the muddy, gritty reality of farm life, and contrasting it with moments of joy, camaraderie and even hints of romance. The film's soundtrack further complements this, adding depth and texture to the scenes and enhancing the overall narrative.

Our Daily Bread is a classic piece of cinema that transcends beyond being just a period-piece, it is a testament to the human spirit, the power of community, and the fight for survival. The exceptional performances complemented by a well-crafted script and the director's keen sense for detail help paint a vivid picture of the era. The movie strikes a balance between being a historical document of a particular time and a timeless tale of resilience and resourcefulness, making it a must-watch.