Pare Lorentz’s poetic documentary film The River (1937) tells the story of how agricultural practices along the Mississippi river led to topsoil loss and flooding during the depression era, eventually leading to soil conservation practices and dam construction. Flooding broke out on the Ohio river during filming, and is stunningly documented in the film. The film premiered in New Orleans on October 29, 1937.

The poetic narration was praised by James Joyce and Carl Sandburg. A companion book to The River was nominated for a Pulitzer prize in poetry.

The film was awarded best documentary at the 1938 Venice International Film Festival. Virgil Thompson’s score is a classic that was used again as the score to the 1983 film The Day After. The River is listed in the Library of Congress National Film Registry.