Desire Under the Elms

Uneven attempt to film Eugene O’Neill’s play about family passions and hatreds in 19th-century New England. Sophia Loren, Anthony Perkins, Burl Ives. Simeon: Frank Overton. Peter: Pernell Roberts. Florence: Jean Willes. Min: Greta Granstedt. Eben’s Mother: Anne Seymour. Directed by Delbert Mann., Based on the play by Eugene O’Neill, this film concerns a 19th-century New England farmer (Burl Ives) who makes a deal with a beautiful young immigrant (Sophia Loren) and marries her. The woman instead seduces his son (Anthony Perkins).