Search - The Winter People on DVD

Quiet film about give and take, forgiveness and love.

Connie | albany, ga United States | 01/07/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A period story set in the North Carolina hills in what appears to be a place right smack dab in the middle of the Hatfields and McCoys--this time Wrights and Campbells. A shy sensitive widowed clock maker, Wayland Jackson, played by Kurt Russell on his way through the mountains with his only daughter becomes stuck in a creek and ends up sticking around for longer than he bargained. There he meets the elusive Collie Wright (Kelly McGillis's character) who with her only son seems to be living alone off from the small town. Immediately you sense a spark between the two but as the story progresses you realize there is a dark looming secret which threatens both lives. It appears Ellie's family has an ancient hatred that runs deep for their neighbors and would shootem' just as look at'em. Enter dark loomy character which is the babe's father and he's from the other side of the mountain. He is the exact opposite of our shy clock maker and Ellie knows this. Perhaps when some see the performances as cheesy or over acted they've never actually met any mountain folk, and thusly are insistent that the histrionics are over played. If you have been to the mountains and can feel the spirit of them then I think you will love this picture. It is about the give and take, the act of forgiveness and of course true love."

Under-rated film.

Linda Stockham | 06/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Ehle is an excellent regional writer and "Winter People" is probably the best of his works. The movie adaptation holds true to the book and for the critical viewer tired of cliques, car chases, and shallow characters, this film is a rare luxury. There are no stock characters in this film. And the storyline is different ... holding you tight to your armchair to the very end. The acting is tremendous: Kurt Russell is finally challenged to a multi-part role befitting his talented depths. The symbolic uses of the clock and the bear-killing rite are intriguing elements in the film. "Winter People" is an under-rated film."

A tender love story in a troubled place and difficult time.

dawn@wyoming.com | Riverton, Wyoming | 12/09/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a powerful tale of a love that emerged during a difficult time in history, and in a place where trouble and conflict were a way of life.Kurt Russell leaves his small surburban home town when his clock making career fails during the depression, in search of a new start. His car breaks down on a lonely, mountain road where he meets Kelly Mc Gillis, who offers him shelter in her back-woods cabin for the night. He soon learns of her complicated, forbidden relationship with a man who is from a rival family clan, and becomes involved in protecting her from him and his family. With his clock making skill, Russell's character is able to bring hope to the town by restoring the clock in the church steeple. The restoration of the clock, like the relationship that develops between the Russell and Mc Gillis characters, bring light to an otherwise dark world with little hope.It is a simple and powerful story of changing the destiny of lives in rural America. It seemed to go unnoticed, but is a favorite of many of my own friends."

Heart rending Romance/Drama

G. E. Williams | California | 07/12/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you didn't see this the one week it was at the show, you probably missed this excellent drama, set in the depression era. Mountain folk, mountain morals, mountain laws, a mountain woman single mother (Kelly McGillis) and a city man watchmaker widower (Kurt Russell) are the elements of this heartbreaking and heartwarming romance.

This is a very slow paced movie, so you have to be in the mood, but don't try to find out more about it than I have told you so you can experience it completely. Pick a rainy day when you can turn off all distractions and immerse yourself into this tale of Americana. You will feel like youv'e found a secret treasure."