Reviews

This is a German made for television movie, so the dialogue is in German with English subtitles, but don't let that put you off; the subtitles are easy to read. This movie tells the story of German immigrants to Texas in the 1840s. The plot uses 3 famous events in Texas history to create the drama and drive the story; they are the Council House Massacre in San Antonio on March 19, 1840, followed by the Comanche Great Raid of 1840, and the Meusebach-Comanche Treaty of May 9, 1847. Although these events are separated by 7 years, in the story, they occur in very close proximity. The main character is Mila, a young weaver woman who travels on an immigrant ship from Prussia (Germany) to Texas with the intention of starting her life anew in a free land. Once she disembarks on the Texas coast, she finds that life in this new frontier is much more than she bargained for when she left Prussia. If you like romance and adventure with a bit of history in the mix, you will enjoy this movie. Emilia Schüle does an admirable job as the passionate and outspoken Mila. Wesley French, a Canadian actor of Chippewa descent, does an excellent job as the intense and determined Comanche chief Buffalo Hump. Benno Fürmann is easy to hate as the twisted Count Arnim von Hohenberg who torments his long suffering wife, Countess von Hohenberg, played by Nadja Uhl. A popular character actor in German films, Gojko Mitic, plays the aged Comanche chief Tahmahkera. Some Amazon reviewers complained that the film does not look like Texas, because there were no mountains in Indianola, the port city on the Gulf of Mexico where German immigrants landed (which no longer exists). Again, it's a minor detail. Many Western films were made in locations that were not geographically correct, so just ignore the minor details, and enjoy the film.

As another reviewer so aptly put it, this is an old fashioned war movie with old fashioned values and heroes; it is definitely a "feel good" movie. If you like dark films with bleak endings, this film is not for you. We saw the first Sunday matinée showing of the film, and the theater was almost full. The audience was composed of all ages: retirees, teens, young boys with parents, etc. At the end of the film, most of the audience was applauding the film. Why? Because the film shows what you can accomplish when you work hard and overcome every obstacle that is thrown at you. This film has a little bit of something for everyone: personal struggles/drama, air battle action scenes, romance, humor, history,etc. As a teacher, I appreciate the fact that the film provides real life inspiring role models for kids. We need more films like this, and kudos to George Lucas for his perseverance in getting this film made.

Very few films have dealt with the persecution and annihilation of the gypsies or gitanos during World War Two by Hitler and his minions. For that reason alone, this film is important. If you are looking for other films, you might check out "The Man Who Cried" with Johnny Depp.

This film was a nice surprise. I expected it to be depressing, but it was not. What Gatlif managed to portray through some very nice cinematography and story development is the gypsy love of nature and the outdoors. It was beautifully done.

Another theme that comes across well in this film is the gypsy love of music. They seem to have an unusual flair for music, and they use it to enrich their own lives, but also to provide an income and support themselves.

As someone with a history degree, I appreciated the fact that Gatlif attempted to shed some light on a subject that few have touched. I also appreciated the cultural insights on gypsies and their lifestyle. Anyone looking for something a little different should enjoy this film.

I really liked this film when it was released, and I still do, because the storyline makes you feel hopeful about life in general, and people too...one of the things I like about the films of Lawrence Kasdan. In addition to the positive vibes from the film, there are other reasons to like Grand Canyon. For one thing, it has an outstanding cast...Kevin Kline and Danny Glover, for example. In my opinion, Crash, the highly acclaimed film that won the Oscar for best picture, was very similar to this film. The difference is that Grand Canyon leaves you feeling positive. Crash had the opposite effect with me; it was very dark. I would choose Grand Canyon over Crash any day.

This is a family film based on the James Alexander Thom book detailing the real life experiences of Virginia pioneer Mary Ingles, who was taken captive by Shawnees Indians in 1755. Although the film does not follow the book at times, the spirit and courage of Mary Ingles shine through. (At times, the book contained brutality that cannot be included in a family film.) Filmed in the mountains of North Carolina, the scenery is spectacular. Eric Schweig does an excellent job as the Shawnee chief Wildcat who controls Mary's fate. Sheryl Lee plays the indomitable Mary Ingles, and Ellen Burstyn is particularly effective as Gretel. The film is a testament to the courage of early American pioneers; it's hard to believe that anyone could withstand what Mary Ingles went through in trying to return to her beloved husband Will. Those interested in American history, American Indians,and inspiring love stories will enjoy this movie.

This is a great adaptation of the Larry McMurtry novel. The script follows the novel very closely, which is the number one requirement of any film adaptation of McMurtry's work. McMurtry's dialogue compels readers to fall in love with the characters, so it must be preserved. David Arquette and Jonny Lee Miller are very believable as young versions of Gus McCrae and Woodrow McCall. Arquette has even picked up some of the physical mannerisms that Robert Duvall used earlier in Lonesome Dove. Patricia Childress really captures the role of the tender-hearted young prostitute Mattie Roberts. Eric Schweig is chilling as the dangerous Comanche Chief Buffalo Hump, and the stunt work by Judson Keith Linn when doubling for Schweig is fantastic. The sequence where he rides down one of the Texas Rangers and scalps him from horseback is thrilling and terrifying. An equally terrifying nighttime sequence involves Buffalo Hump chasing down Gus on foot during a lightning storm and spearing him with his lance. The cast is full of noted character actors including Brian Dennehy, Keith Carradine, Harry Dean Stanton, F. Murray Abraham, and Edward James Olmos. Olmos is particularly effective as Mexican Army Captain Salazar. I love this mini-series, but it should not be compared to Lonesome Dove. Every adaptation of McMurtry books is different, using different casts, etc. Don't compare them, just enjoy them!

Anyone who has read Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen knows that it's a bit different from the usual Jane Austen, and this film is no exception. The key to enjoying the film is to accept it as a bit different, and let yourself embrace the premise of the film, which is full of Gothic surrealism. The cast does an excellent job, especially Googie Withers as the silly, but well-meaning Mrs. Allen. Katherine Schlesinger portrays the lead character of Catherine Moreland with the wide-eyed innocence found in young country girls of no experience who spend their time absorbed in Gothic novels. It is precisely that guileless innocence and openness that makes her appealing to Henry Tilney, whose family seems to hide a great many things. The rather ethereal, sometimes haunting music fits the story well. One of my favorite scenes in the movie is when Peter Firth (as Henry) comes riding out of the mist and fog on horseback to find Catherine. His approach as he dismounts, and the words he says to her reflect a deep, but restrained passion. Henry is wearing leather riding gloves, and when he takes her neck and face in his hands before kissing her, it seems very romantic and passionate. If you like romance novels and British period films, you will enjoy this movie. I was happy to add Northanger Abbey to my Jane Austen film collection.

I ran across this quirky little film, and decided to take a chance on it because of the cast: Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Jason Lee, and Michael Greyeyes. I wasn't familiar with the younger actors, Misha Barton, Bug Hall, and Brad Renfro, but they do a great job in the film. Although some of the subject matter is a little uncomfortable, you laugh so much that it doesn't seem to matter. Basically what happens in this movie is that they address some serious life-changing subjects with a lot of humor in order to get their message (sex requires responsibility,etc.) across. At times, the kids seem more mature than the adults. Jennifer Jason Leigh is mind-boggling as the sexy, spoiled, southern single mom. Drew Barrymore's part is small, but she is memorable as a tantalizing temptress. Michael Greyeyes exudes strength and masculinity as a handsome Blackfoot rodeo cowboy. I would advise parents to watch the film before showing it to their kids. However, I also think it would be a good film to use in broaching the subject of sex and its consequences, etc. to family members entering puberty.

This film evolved from the true story of Anna Brewster Morgan and Sarah White, frontier women who lived near Concordia, Kansas. Their stories can be found in the non-fiction book Pioneer Women: Voices From the Kansas Frontier by Joanna L. Stratton. The screenwriter has taken dramatic license with some of the facts, but it makes for a very enjoyable film. Anna, a newly married woman, and Sarah were captured by the Sioux and lived with them for a year until Gen. George Custer negotiated their release. During the year of captivity, Anna (who is played by Jeanine Turner) learned to admire the Sioux, and she fell in love with Tokalah, a handsome chief played by Michael Greyeyes. Viewers may remember him from Crazy Horse, the TNT film. You will enjoy this film if: you are a fan of romance novels, you are interested in American frontier history, and/or you are interested in Native American culture. It is shown on a fairly regular basis on the Lifetime Network, but is not available commercially for sale.

I had read several of the books by W.P.Kinsella about Silas, Frank, and the other characters living on the reserve in Canada. The books were full of humor, but they addressed some serious issues, so I decided to take a chance on this film. I'm really glad that I did, because it is a gem. The film manages to capture the humor in the books, while still showing the serious problems on the Rez. The actors all do a great job. Adam Beach made me howl with laughter as Frank Fencepost. Michael Greyeyes really captured the anger and the intensity of Gooch. Ryan Rajendra Black was excellent as Silas, the aspiring writer. And Jennifer Podemski was wonderful as a girl on the Rez who wanted more from life. I could go on, but there's no room. The music was perfect for the film; I especially liked NDN Kars by Keith Secola. Bruce McDonald has a reputation as a talented filmmaker, and he certainly stayed on track with this quirky, but impressive film. I thought so much of it that I bought it.