Wild in the Country
Performance & Direction: Wild in the Country Review
Last updated: February 5, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Wild in the Country (1961) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Wild in the Country features a noteworthy lineup led by Elvis Presley . Supported by the likes of Hope Lange and Tuesday Weld , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Wild in the Country
Quick Plot Summary: Wild in the Country is a Drama film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Wild in the Country
Ending Breakdown: Wild in the Country concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Wild in the Country reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Wild in the Country?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Top Cast: Wild in the Country
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Wild in the Country Online?
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Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeWild in the Country Parents Guide & Age Rating
1961 AdvisoryWondering about Wild in the Country age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Wild in the Country is 114 minutes (1h 54m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.2/10, and global performance metrics, Wild in the Country is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1961 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wild in the Country worth watching?
Wild in the Country is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.2/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Wild in the Country parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Wild in the Country identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Wild in the Country?
The total duration of Wild in the Country is 114 minutes, which is approximately 1h 54m long.
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How Wild in the Country Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Wild in the Country
_**Elvis as a wild “boy” in the country, caught between a good girl and bad girl**_ A rural “boy” gets in trouble with the law (Elvis Presley), but is granted probation and counselling by a psychologist at her home office (Hope Lange). He gets a gig living with his uncle and ‘bad girl’ step-daughter (Tuesday Weld), but dates a ‘good girl’ (Millie Perkins) whose father hates him because he pegs him as a ne’er-do-well. Meanwhile the counselor discovers that he has a gift for writing. Can he resolve his personal demons and become a productive member of society? John Ireland and Gary Lockwood play father and son in peripheral roles. “Wild in the Country” (1961) was Elvis' 7th movie of the 31 he did. This one’s a serious drama with a couple well-placed songs. I’d put it up there with "Blue Hawaii" (1961), "Kid Galahad" (1962) and “Roustabout” (1964), but it’s the most dramatic of these and you have to persevere with the mundane set-up of the first half, which some viewers will find boring. The second half, however, pulls the rug out from under you and is quite compelling, not to mention risqué for its time. It’s a well-done soap opera with Elvis. Presley was 25 during shooting, but I’m assuming his character is supposed to be about 18-21. The therapist is supposed to be quite a bit older, like 10-12 years or so, yet in real-life Hope Lange was only 13.5 months older than Elvis. Millie Perkins is one of the most winsome and underrated actresses to appear in an Elvis flick and Tuesday Weld, who was 17 during shooting, isn’t anything to sneeze at. Meanwhile Lange ain’t no slouch. They’re all much appreciated but, in my opinion, the top females to costar in Presley movies are Anne Helm in "Follow That Dream" (1962), Ann-Margret in "Viva Las Vegas" (1964) and Michele Carey in "Live a Little, Love a Little" (1968). I’d cite the ‘banana dancer’ in “King Creole” (1958), but it was only a bit part. The movie runs 1 hour, 54 minutes, and was shot in Napa, Napa Valley, California, and 20th Century Studios, Century City, Los Angeles. GRADE: B
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
