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HeartlandRating:
Release Date: 07 November, 2000 Retail Price: $29.95 OUR Price: $26.99 You SAVE: $2.96! Cast: Complete Cast (7 total) |
Heartland Reviews
I am amazed that this movie was the product of "Letters of a Woman Homesteader"
I recently read the book "Letters of a Woman Homesteader" on which this movie was based for a Historiography class in college. In another class we were assigned the task of watching the movie in order to compare the differences from the book and the movie.
If the names used in the movie were not the same as those used in the film, I would be shocked to know that these two works were actually related to each other. The actual letters on which the movie is based are overwhelmingly positive, filled with adventurous stories, interesting developments on the homestead, and a huge endorsement of the process of homesteading. (In Elinore's very own words, she encouraged people who aren't afraid of work to come and homestead for themselves, rather than working as a seamstress for starvation wages)
The movie on the other hand, is devoid of ANY of the wonderful stories that Elinore tells, and quite honestly is generally devoid of any hope whatsoever. The movie makes homesteading appear to be a dismal life with no end to trouble, and the end of the movie is simply shocking in comparison to the book. (Shockingly dismal, in comparison to actual events.)
The movie was quite honestly boring and tedious in comparison to the compilation of the Letters of a Woman Homesteader, which I rather enjoyed reading. Please don't let this movie cloud your judgement of the book, which is uplifting and delightful to read.
This movie failed to deliver at all the message and tone of the real Elinore Pruitt Stewart, and instead makes her life look horrible and bleak when it was actually filled with optimism and achievement.
The Rough Truth of the West
One of the most moving experiences in cinema I'd had for years. Superb understated acting. There are elements that are completely lost by several of the other reviewers regarding "Heartland". Victorian Pioneers were a stoic type of people, look up stoicism if need be. They did not wear they're emotions on their sleeves as we do today, and whining was nearly unknown. Self reliance was a code of conduct lived each day. One reviewer commented on the lack of "chemistry" between Clyde and Elinor. That is almost a laughable remark- marriages among ranchers even to recent days is often based upon economics and not compatability and romance as such. Clyde and Elinor actually loved one another with a depth that would frighten most moderns, dealing with death, birth, and life- good, bad and indifferent.
One of my favorite lines from the entire film is when Elinor confesses to her female rancher neighbor played by Lila Skala, that she just cannot talk with Clyde. The neighbor replies with all sincerity, "You better learn to before winter sets in."
More Customer Reviews (10 total)
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