User Reviews

Why are people so hung up on reality in films? We have enough reality in the world, I say bring on more unreality please. I'm more intrigued by what they thought was okay to openly portray as okay in the seventies compared to now. A wholesome family squatting on federal land, dogs fighting wildcats, Whole families soaking nude in a hot tub (!). I'm watching this in 2016 and recognize all the non-real parts, but the scenery is beautiful and if I were a kid I would dream of living in the mountains and wilderness when I grew up. What's wrong with that? I'm watching the movie now and am entertained and think many younger children would be entertained. The only downside for me is the family singalongs-definitely not my kind of music.

The third and final instalment of the ADVENTURES OF THE WILDERNESS FAMILY trilogy, this is exactly the same as the second one, which was in turn exactly the same as the first. Once more a family are living in the Colorado wilds, interacting with friendly mountain men and even friendlier bears and fighting off both unscrupulous humans and various 'nasty' animals that come close, including grizzlies and cougars. There's a lot of tweeness, some awful songs, and a little animal violence to see you through.

The last of the 3 episodes of the Robinson Wilderness family. There's Dad or Skip, Mom or Pat, Jenny,the teenage girl, pre-teen Toby, and the Labrador Crust(an odd name). Also, there's the mountain man Boomer and his mule, as an occasional visitor. Episode 2 ended with the beginning of spring, after a long winter. This episode takes place in late spring and summer, rather similar to the first episode.

A National Forest ranger arrives in a helicopter and tells them they are on property filed as a mining claim. They need to show the right papers and evidence of valuable minerals, or leave within 90 days. The ranger returns near the end of the film to sort things out. I won't reveal this episode, as the film ends with it.

As in the previous episodes, we have disasters or fights interspersed between joyous times: a good format. Among the disasters: A rain brings a flash flood that washes away the chicken house and shed, not to mention the vegie garden. This is the last straw for Pat, who leaves to visit her sick mother. It's unclear if she will ever return. Then, little Toby climbs a very steep cliff to find the nest of a raven that stole his pencil. He finds some other missing items in the nest, as well. But he is afraid to climb down. Skip to the rescue. We have several encounters with wolves, cougars and bad bears as well as good bears, as we had in the previous episodes.

The family tries panning for gold, but comes up empty. Boomer checks out an old mine shaft, gets into trouble, but finds something of possible importance. I will stop here.

Skip appears to have great previous experience with wilderness animals and living. He always brushes off any injuries or traumas as nothing to worry about, surviving various falls and fights with minimal apparent injury. In contrast, Pat often feels stressed out by such events, and sometimes cries.

I don't know what animals their 2' high stick fence around the garden is supposed to keep out. Deer seem like the most numerous herbivore around. I doubt it would discourage a determined rabbit or marmot.

Some reviewers describe the mountain man Boomer as a creep. I didn't get that impression at all. He seems like a knowledgeable grandfather.

Some reviewers complain that these episodes lack a significant plot, although this one has a bit more than the others. Well, there's enough interesting things happening so that a complicated plot isn't necessary. It seems like an adventurous vacation. The same is true of some raucous comedies and some musicals.

The Robinson family are threatened with eviction from their forest paradise by the federal government unless they can prove that the land they reside on has valuable minerals on it that can be mined on a regular basis.

Director Jack Couffer relates the enjoyable story at a steady pace and maintains a pleasant tone throughout. Moreover, once again we get the usual assortment of adorably friendly animals along with a few nasty ones. The attractive and appealing cast helps a lot: Robert Logan as rugged dad Skip, Susan Damante as feisty, but fed-up mom Pat, Heather Rattray as spunky teen daughter Jenny, Ham Larsen as sweet son Toby, and George "Buck" Flower as crotchety mountain man Boomer. James W. Roberson's bright and pretty cinematography offers lots of breathtaking shots of the beautiful sylvan scenery. Robert O. Ragland's harmonic score and several cornball songs with sappy lyrics by Carol Connors both hit the tuneful spot. A nice diversion.

For those who have seen the first two "Wilderness Family" movies, the opening of "Mountain Family Robinson" will come as a surprise. That's because the opening of the movie suggests that there will actually be some kind of plot, with the family being threatened with eviction. However, after this threat is introduced, it is promptly forgotten for the next hour or so! During this hour, there is absolutely nothing of consequence. Sure, the mother at one point leaves the family, but several minutes later she is back and her leaving is forgotten.

When the plot does start up again, there is some interest, but it won't take long to quickly conclude what will happen in the end. But at least this series entry has SOME plot! Apart from this plot, there's nothing you haven't seen in the previous entries. There are cute animals, gorgeous scenery, and a dim-witted young son who does some stupid things that will make you want to slap him in the back of the head. If you want to see all this stuff again, fine. Myself, I was glad that the series came to an end at this point because frankly I was starting to get real tired of seeing the same old stuff again.