Search - Spencer's Mountain on DVD

Classic Delmer Daves production

sherebiah | Santa Ana, CA United States | 08/29/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Spencer's Mountain" , written by Earl Hamner, Jr. of "The Walton's" wrote this script in the 1950s and it shows. Like many of the Delmer Daves movies of this era, this film combines a Max Steiner score, great cinematography and a heart-tugging story from a more innocent America. This is a great movie to get lost in, enjoy, and have a good cry. I sit back and re-live this film at least once a year."

Proto-Walton

John A Lee III | San Antonio, TX | 04/04/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone familiar with the long running TV series, THE WALTONS, will immediately see some similarities in this film. It was written by the same author but predates the Waltons in terms of its production. Still, there are many similarities as well as a few differences.

The Waltons takes place during the era of the great depression. Spencer's Mountain has the 1950's written all over it although it never gives a particular time. The Waltons takes place near Walton Mountain in the Southeast while this film takes place near Spencer's Mountain in the Grand Tetons. The TV series had John-Boy as the eldest son of the family and the movie has Clay-Boy in the same role. Both of these young men seek knowledge and thirst for education. The patriarch of both families is relatively poor and struggles to provide for the family but is a faithful husband and father with those duties as the top priority. Both are wholesome and a bit of Americana. Somebody who liked the Waltons should like Spencer's Mountain as well.

Henry Fonda plays the lead and does so in a likeable manner. He will sacrifice anything, including his dreams, for the sake of his family. Maureen O'Hara plays the mother. She is a good, church going woman and the anchor of the family. James MacArthur plays the eldest son. He is dutiful but yearns to get away and better himself. He wants to do something besides work in the quarry all his life.

As I said before, it is all very wholesome fare. I don't think it's as good as the Waltons but it is still very good.
"

When family entertainment was heart felt.

Rick D. Barszcz | bristol, ct United States | 03/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is still one of my old time favorites. Great acting, breaktaking landscapes, wonderful music score and a moral message that we in this new century will never see the likes of again. This is pure entertainment from beginning to end. The struggles of growing up, first love kiss, a father's love for his wife and kids (rare these days)and the togetherness of the American family that no longer exist. If you need an education or weather you just want to watch a great older film this is the one for you and it is suitable for all ages which even the "G" rated films of today are questionable. You won't go wrong. You'll laugh and you'll cry and say I remember it well."

This is a funny, heartwrenching movie

sherebiah | 03/05/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is such a beautifully made film. It made me laugh (really hard), then had me on the verge of tears. This is a true look at rual America in the 40's (or was it the 30's). And for a movie made 40 years ago, it has some pretty smart dialogue. Spencer's son has this "loose" girlfreind who's always getting the poor guy in trouble. "Wannna get the dictionary and look up all the dirty words?" she asks the son while she tries (unsuccessfully) to seduce him in the town library. Don't get me wrong there is nothing vulgar about this film. It really is a family classic. Hnery Fonda is in peak form here. A REAL look at family life."