The film received Oscars for Best Actress (Luise rainer) and Cinematography. The Good Earth tells the story of Wang Lung, the farmer, as he awakes, eager and excited about his arranged marriage soon to take place. Later, he meets his wife, O-Lan, and they work hard together, have numerous children, and become successful. But a devastating famine nearly starves their entire community, and the family is forced to migrate. While away, the Revolution occurs, and the characters get caught right in the middle of the sweep and emotion of the times. Thanks to lucky discovery, the Lung family returns to their home and again amasses great wealth. However, this newfound abundance of riches tears Wang from the land he once as dearly treasured, as he becomes more interested in material things. Then, a horrible plague of locusts threatens to ruin the town's crop a second time, and Wang's eldest son helps to organize the farmers in defeating the insects. The devastating locusts swarm into the valley and the townspeople do all in their power to halt their destruction. They use fire to burn them water to drawn them, and eventually must resort to using their hands and shovels to stop them. This event gives Wang a 'wake-up call' as he realizes all he has neglected. He returns to the good earth and patches up the problems that have risen in his personal life.