Our Daily Bread

Like so many others during the Depression, John and Mary Sims find themselves in desperate circumstances. They take Mary's uncle up on his offer to live on a derelict farm that's soon to be foreclosed upon, but the couple, unfortunately, have no experience behind a plow. John then has the inspired idea of inviting other out-of-work tradesmen to come live off the land with them, working it cooperatively and sharing their resources. No mere message film, Our Daily Bread remains a tremendously moving portrait of solidarity and mutual aid, thanks in part to Vidor's technical virtuosity.