Susanna Drake Shawnessy (played by Elizabeth Taylor) is a protagonist in Raintree County.
A wealthy Southern belle who marries John out of duty after claiming pregnancy. She suffers from severe mental illness and paranoia, flees to Georgia during the war, and is eventually institutionalized. After the war, she tragically sacrifices herself by wandering into the swamp searching for the legendary raintree, leading to her death while saving their son. John Wickliff Shawnessy (played by Montgomery Clift) is a protagonist in Raintree County.
An idealistic abolitionist and teacher who struggles between his love for Nell and his duty to Susanna. He enlists in the Union Army to rescue his wife and son, survives battle wounds, and eventually reconciles his past with Nell while dedicating himself to raising their son Jimmy after Susanna's tragic death. Nell Gaither (played by Eva Marie Saint) appears in Raintree County.
John's college sweetheart who endures heartbreak when he marries Susanna. She remains a steadfast presence in his life, later encouraging his political ambitions. After the war, she helps rescue their son Jimmy from the swamp, symbolizing their enduring emotional bond. Prof. Jerusalem Webster Stiles (played by Nigel Patrick) appears in Raintree County.
Ezra Gray (played by Rhys Williams) appears in Raintree County.
Orville 'Flash' Perkins (played by Lee Marvin) appears in Raintree County.
Townsman (uncredited) (played by Fred Aldrich) appears in Raintree County.
Townsman (uncredited) (played by John Barton) appears in Raintree County.
Raintree County (1957) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Susanna Drake Shawnessy
(played by Elizabeth Taylor) — protagonist
A wealthy Southern belle who marries John out of duty after claiming pregnancy. She suffers from severe mental illness and paranoia, flees to Georgia during the war, and is eventually institutionalize...
John Wickliff Shawnessy
(played by Montgomery Clift) — protagonist
An idealistic abolitionist and teacher who struggles between his love for Nell and his duty to Susanna. He enlists in the Union Army to rescue his wife and son, survives battle wounds, and eventually...
Nell Gaither
(played by Eva Marie Saint) — supporting
John's college sweetheart who endures heartbreak when he marries Susanna. She remains a steadfast presence in his life, later encouraging his political ambitions. After the war, she helps rescue their...
Prof. Jerusalem Webster Stiles
(played by Nigel Patrick) — supporting
Ezra Gray
(played by Rhys Williams) — supporting
Orville 'Flash' Perkins
(played by Lee Marvin) — supporting
Townsman (uncredited)
(played by Fred Aldrich) — minor
Townsman (uncredited)
(played by John Barton) — minor
Girl (uncredited)
(played by Luana Lee) — minor
Jake - Bartender (uncredited)
(played by Oliver Blake) — minor
Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
(played by Sue George) — minor
Mrs. Lydia Gray (uncredited)
(played by Myrna Hansen) — minor
Niles Foster
(played by Russell Collins) — minor
Parthenia (uncredited)
(played by Ruth Attaway) — minor
Southern Officer
(played by DeForest Kelley) — minor
Miss Roman
(played by Eileen Stevens) — minor
Garwood B. Jones
(played by Rod Taylor) — supporting
Ellen Shawnessy
(played by Agnes Moorehead) — supporting
T.D. Shawnessy
(played by Walter Abel) — supporting
Barbara Drake
(played by Jarma Lewis) — supporting
Story Analysis
A sweeping tale of idealism, duty, and loss set against the backdrop of the American Civil War.
Plot Progression
The Raintree Quest & Early Romance
Duty, Deception & Southern Descent
War, Separation & The Union March
Asylum Rescue & Postwar Reckoning
Directed by Edward Dmytryk
Raintree County (1957) · 6.4/10 · drama, history, romance
