ManiakJiggy This is How Movies Should Be Made

AshUnow This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Billie Morin This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Raymond Sierra The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

mark.waltz This has all the characteristics of "Little House on the Prairie", focusing on newcomers to a small community where they make both friends and foes, work hard, have a ton of children and even more tragedies. There's the kindly minister, doctor, giving women of the town, and one interfering busy body who is the poster hag for good intentions are the pathways to hell.Instead of being already parents, newcomers Glynis Johns and Cameron Mitchell are Scottish immigrants who have come to see her uncle, unfortunately recently deceased in a fire. They decide to remain to give their unborn child a home, and before long, there are six of them. Papa passes on, and with mama ailing, it seems that they will soon need to be placed in other homes. Nasty Reta Shaw, who has been a thorn in John's side since the very beginning (think Mrs. Olsen without humor) begins to follow what she believes her Christian duty to be, obviously only going to make things worse.People on the prairie faced many hardships, whether it be the weather, financial or medical, and with one child suffering from diphtheria and Johns from typhoid, their tragedies seem insurmountable. Of the children, Rex Thompson and Patty McCormick stand out the most. Johns is also excellent, with Mitchell often funny, especially when dealing with boss Alan Hale Jr., a strong Irishman who hates Scotts. This is a story of survival, family sticking together even when the worst has happened and it's only the children. Shaw's hateful character deserves old fashioned hisses, a contrary to the hugs audiences wanted to give her as the lovable Mabel in the same year's film version of "The Pajama Game".The beautiful snowy photography is another plus, showing both the danger and magnificence of it. I wouldn't recommend going into this film without Kleenex as many moments occur that could bring on a flood of tears.

jarrodmcdonald-1 In many ways, this is not a feel-good Hollywood movie. Perhaps this is a film that pastors, rabbis, ministers, priests and other family planning counselors should show young couples before they have children. It's a sobering thought to realize that an unexpected tragedy like the one depicted here could happen. Assuming that relatives will take your kids or that they can be sent back to live with family members in another state or country might not be what happens. The one thing I think the mother could have done in this story was to have the doctor bring other townsfolk to the house to tell them her wish about the kids finding new homes. Again, it's not a cheerful subject, and it makes you wonder what really did happen to these kids (we know one of them grew up to write a story about the experience). Maybe there should have been a sequel, or at least, an epilogue.

michael thompson I give this film 10 out of 10, when in a way it is not up for scoring points because of it's subject matter, based on a true story.However, because this is a review of a movie I saw decades ago and have never forgotten, the review says I have to vote, so it's a 10, it cannot be less.This movie is based on a true story which makes it all the worse, even writing this review puts a lump in my throat.I defy anybody to watch this movie without weeping out loud, the ending is a killer.If you watch this at Christmas and you have a good heart and soul, it will either put you off your Christmas, or it will make you value what you have, no matter how much that is by today's highly materialistic and in many cases, selfish standards.The hardest heart will be crucified watching this movie.People who spit on the homeless, people who believe the elderly are a burden on the State, people who believe the unemployed are wasters and scroungers, these sad people will be crucified by this movie.This is without doubt the saddest movie ever, ever, ever, made.I defy anybody reading my review to watch this film on Christmas Eve, and then try to enjoy your Christmas.Because watching this movie will put everything in perspective, if it does not, you reading this have no heart and no soul.HAPPY Christmas

csrich47 I love Glynnis Johns and I have always thought Cameron Mitchell was a very handsome man and a pretty good actor, so I don't know how I have missed this movie all these years. This is a tear-jerker if there ever was one. Yes, you keep waiting for that Hollywood ending but you finally realize it isn't going to turn out that way. Back in those days,loosing both parents was not so uncommon as it is today, but there was usually family to take the kids, at least the youngest ones. This one was so sad because the mother told the boy to decide where to place the children, and he did everything in his power to fulfill her last wishes. It is so powerful because it was told through his eyes as an adult. Maybe the producers should have added one more scene (like they did with Casablanca) - one where all the children finally get back together. As Robbie marched off over that hill pulling that sled, I wasn't crying, but I was very close to it. And no, they don't make them like this anymore. I, for one, enjoyed it immensely.